Reverse Bids in Bridge: What a Reverse Shows

A reverse is opener's rebid at the two level in a new suit that ranks higher than the suit opened, such as 1♦ - 1♠ - 2♥. It shows a strong hand, about 16 or 17+ points, with the first suit longer than the second, and it is forcing for one round. This article uses 2/1 Game Force, the most common bidding system in North American tournaments; the reverse means almost the same in SAYC.

The reason for the extra strength is the space it uses. After a reverse, responder must go to the three level just to prefer opener's first suit, so opener needs enough values to make that safe.

Three conditions make a reverse:

1. Opener's rebid is a new suit.
2. It ranks higher than opener's first suit.
3. It is at the two level, and responder answered at the one level or with 1NT.

After a two-level response, such as 1♥ - 2♣ - 2♠, the same shape is called a high reverse. In 2/1 Game Force the 2♣ response already set up a game force, so opener's 2♠ there shows only shape. In SAYC, where 2♣ is forcing for one round only, it still shows extras.

• Strength: about 16 or 17 points or more. In 2/1 and SAYC alike, after a one-level response or 1NT the reverse is forcing for one round, not to game.
• Shape: the first suit is longer than the second, usually 5-4 or 6-4. With five cards in each suit, opener would have opened the higher one.
• No other good rebid. With a balanced 18-19, opener jumps to 2NT instead.

The logic of the shape rule: with five hearts and four diamonds, you open 1♥ and rebid 2♦. Partner can then return to 2♥ cheaply. With five diamonds and four hearts, you open 1♦, and showing the hearts at the two level pushes the auction up, so it needs strength.

Responder must not pass. The choices depend on strength:

• Weak (about 5-7 points): make the cheapest sign-off you can. Without special methods that means rebidding a five-card suit at the two level, giving preference to opener's first suit at the three level, or bidding 2NT.
• Invitational or better (about 8+): the partnership has at least 24 or 25 points. Bid game or make a forcing bid, such as the fourth suit or a raise of opener's second suit.

The problem with natural methods is that a weak hand and a good hand can make the same bid. Lebensohl after a reverse fixes that.

Many partnerships play a Lebensohl-style 2NT after a reverse (also called Ingberman):

1. Responder's 2NT is artificial and weak. It asks opener to bid 3♣.
2. Responder then passes 3♣ or signs off in opener's first suit or in responder's own suit at the three level.
3. Any direct three-level bid by responder, without 2NT first, is game forcing.
4. Responder's rebid of a five-card suit at the two level is forcing for one round, but shows nothing extra.

With a real maximum (about 19+), opener may ignore the 3♣ relay and bid something else, showing that game is still on. Some pairs use the cheaper of 2NT and the fourth suit as the relay; agree which one you play. The full idea is in Lebensohl.

North opens 1♦ with five diamonds and four hearts, and 18 HCP. After South's 1♠, North reverses with 2♥: extra values, diamonds longer than hearts (see what 2♥ means in every system).

South has only 5 HCP and no fit for hearts. Playing Lebensohl, South bids 2NT (see what 2NT means in every system), North obliges with 3♣, and South signs off in 3♦, preferring North's longer suit. North passes.

Double dummy, 3♦ makes nine tricks on this layout, while 3NT goes down two: North-South have 23 HCP and no long suit that runs. Without the relay, South would have to guess between passing (not allowed), 2♠ and 3♦, and partner could not tell a weak 3♦ from a strong one.

• Reversing with a minimum. 1♦ - 1♠ - 2♥ with 13 points pushes the auction past what the hand can make. With a minimum 5-4, rebid 2♦, or 1NT if balanced.
• Reversing with the second suit longer. With five hearts and four diamonds, open 1♥, then bid diamonds.
• Calling a one-level rebid a reverse. 1♣ - 1♥ - 1♠ uses no space and shows no extras.
• Passing a reverse. It is forcing. Responder with 4 or 5 points still bids once.
• Treating a high reverse in 2/1 as extra strength. After a game-forcing 2/1, it shows only shape.

Judgment matters at the edges. A good 15-count with 6-4 shape and strong suits can reverse: the extra trick from shape makes up for the missing point. A flat 17 with queens and jacks may prefer a 1NT opening if it fits your range.

• 2/1 Game Force: as above. After a one-level response or a forcing 1NT, the reverse is forcing for one round and shows about 17+ in many partnerships, 16+ in others. After a 2/1 response, a reverse needs no extra strength.
• SAYC: the same after a one-level response or 1NT. After a two-level response, which is not game forcing in SAYC, a high reverse still shows extras.
• Acol: the principle is the same: a reverse shows extra values, about 16+, with the first suit longer. Because Acol opens four-card majors and plays a weak 1NT, opener reaches reverse decisions on different hands, but the meaning does not change.
• Strong club systems such as Precision: one-level openings are limited (about 11-15), so a reverse cannot show a big hand. It shows shape within the range, and partnerships define it on their system notes.

For more on opener's rebids and the ranges they show, see the bridge bidding cheat sheet and fourth suit forcing.