{"id":26242,"date":"2022-09-01T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T03:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=26242"},"modified":"2022-08-31T16:44:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T14:44:39","slug":"opener-s-reverses-and-jump-shifts-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/opener-s-reverses-and-jump-shifts-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Opener’s Reverses and Jump Shifts – Reverses (1\/3)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Bridge<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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There are three types of two-suited bids for Opener: non-reverses (non-forcing), reverses (forcing once but not to game) and jump shifts (forcing to game). In this article, we will study the two latter types in depth. Plus, in particular, Responder’s behaviour and Opener’s third bid. A great many preconceptions will collapse! <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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A. Reverses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Making a reverse bid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our study concentrates on a reverse made after a natural response at the 1-level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a) Definition<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A reverse is defined by two criteria. Bidding the second suit takes you above the level of a rebid of the suit opened. Responder can only give preference to the first suit at the 3-level. Let us compare, using these two criteria, non-reverses to reverses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-reverses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 2♣️ bid is lower than 2♥️, a rebid of the suit opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Responder can show preference for Hearts at the 2-level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The 2♥️ bid is higher than 2♣️, a rebid of the opened suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Responder can only give preference to Clubs at the 3-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> by this definition, reversing is only possible after a minor-suit opening and a major-suit response which is not the next step after the opened minor. Four possible sequences: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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b) Characteristics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Making a reverse bid promises 17+HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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With a hand in a lower range, Opener cannot show his two-suiter and will have to either repeat the suit he opened or rebid 1NT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Reversing is forcing for one round and in some countries, is also auto-forcing. Opener is then promising a third bid, unless Responder jumps to game. It is not forcing to game. Let us compare with non-reverses some more: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Responder is allowed to pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Responder is not allowed to pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Opener can pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Opener cannot pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remember<\/strong><\/p>

We refer to a bid as a reverse if bidding the second suit is higher than a rebid of the suit opened and if Reponder can only show preference for the first suit at the 3-level.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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2. Responder’s action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Responder has a wide range of bids at his disposal. Only repeating his suit or bidding 2NT mean that they can stop below game. The two raises, of the first or second suit, and bidding the fourth suit are forcing to game. Responder may also jump to game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GAME-FORCING BIDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a) Showing support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You need at least 8 HCP to force to game: a logical number opposite a minimum of 17 HCP. Supporting the opened minor promises Honour-third or four cards with or without an honour. With three small cards, you should start by bidding the fourth suit. You need four cards to raise the second suit, with or without an honour. Watch out: the game-forcing nature of these raises does not confirm a desire to go to slam (as the point requirement for this bid, 8 HCP, indicates) but does not preclude it (there is no upper limit). In a minor, the primary goal remains a 3NT contract. In a major, therefore Hearts, the principle of the speed with which game is reached cannot be invoked: you need five cards in Hearts to jump to 4♥️. (See the Part 3: the false reverse).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Good cards for playing in 5 or 6 Diamonds but also in 3 No-Trumps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Do not make a forcing raise to 3♦️ with just three small diamonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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This time, a slam in Hearts should be seriously considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The strength of this hand is insufficient for making a forcing raise; let us curb Opener’s enthusiasm by employing the conventional 2NT bid (see further down). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Same logic as in the previous example and same use of temporising 2NT to slow down the auction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Five trumps and a weak hand, fewer than 8 HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note:<\/strong> supporting the opened minor can be done with a jump, at the 4-level. In that case, it promises at least four trumps and serious ambitions for slam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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b) The fourth suit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a conventional bid and forcing to game. It promises at least 8 HCP and is used in the absence of a satisfactory natural bid. It precludes having five cards in one’s major, the priority then being to repeat that major (see below). It is, most often, looking for a stop for playing in 3NT; but it can be preparing to show forcing support for the opened minor with three small cards. Finally, you can use it with strong hands; 13+, to be specific. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Towards 3NT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Three useful cards for playing with Clubs as Trumps but a raise with three small cards cannot yet be made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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May be followed by a quantitative bid; or more, if Opener’s third bid reveals a particular distribution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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c) The 3NT bid<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a very precise bid: 9 to 11 HCP with a balanced hand and no useful honour in Opener’s two suits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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d) Jump-rebidding one’s major<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This expresses a desire to go to slam in the suit and shows a six-card suit containing no more than one loser opposite a possible singleton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Remember<\/strong><\/p>

There are only four “real” reversing sequences. These are only possible after a minor-suit opening and a major-suit response which is not the next step up from the opened minor.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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BIDS THAT ARE NOT GAME-FORCING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a) The conventional 2NT slow-down bid<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When Responder has bid with a weak hand, 4 to 7 HCP, he needs to apply the brakes to Opener’s ambitions. In particular, he cannot show his preference by bidding one of the two Opener’s suits naturally without initiating a game-forcing sequence. The 2NT bid is a conventional one (intending to sign off), which neither promises nor denies a stop in the fourth suit and, after which, it is possible to stop below game or successfully remain at this level. This relay asks Opener to repeat his opened suit, even with five cards, if he has a minimum for his reverse, so with 17-18 HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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It is time to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The only way to show four-card heart support without forcing to game. Opener will decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Not strong enough to jump to 3NT over 2♥️, a sequence after which Opener is allowed to bid again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Let us forget the five cards in Spades; responding 2♠️ might force us past a contract of 3 Clubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But:<\/p>\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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This time, responding with 2NT and finding oneself playing in 3 Clubs would be a bad outcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are sitting South.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Responding 2♠️ risks initiating a game-forcing sequence (see below). The 2NT slow-down means that we can stop in 3 Spades or to bid 4 Spades if sensible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 19 HCP upwards, Opener has several bids available for showing his strength and distribution in a game-forcing way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n