RESPONSES
TO A 1C OR 1D OPENING
7.1
A
1D opener suggests a four-card or longer suit, since 1C is preferred on hands where a
three-card minor suit must be opened. The
exception is a hand with 4-4-3-2 shape: four spades, four hearts, three diamonds, and two
clubs, which should be opened 1D.
7.2
Responses
and later bidding generally follow the ideas set down in the previous section. Bidding at the one level is up-the-line in
principle. Responder needs more trumps to
raise (4 to raise 1D; 5 to raise 1C, though one less trump will do in a pinch in a
competitive sequence). Responses of 2NT and
3NT are standard:
1C -- 2NT = 13-15, game forcing
-- 3NT =
16-17
There
is no forcing minor-suit raise.
7.3
A
2C opening shows at least 22+ points, or the playing equivalent. Responses:
2C -- 2D = Artificial, could be "
waiting" with a good hand not suited to a
positive response.
--
2H, 2S, 3C, 3D = Natural and game forcing. At least a five-card suit and 8
points.
--
2NT = A balanced 8 HCP.
7.4
If
opener rebids 2NT after a 2D response (showing 22-24 points), the same responses
are
used as over a 2NT opening:
2C -- 2D
2NT -- 3C = Stayman
-- 3D, 3H = Jacoby transfers to hearts and spades respectively.
-- 4C = Gerber
-- 4NT = Inviting a slam in notrump.
If
opener rebids a suit over a 2D response, the bidding is forcing to 3 of opener's major or
4 of opener's minor.
2C -- 2D
2H -- 2S
3H = not forcing.