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Home > Bidding > Big hands > Big balanced hands (continued)
 

 

 

 

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Big balanced hands (continued)

Balanced hands with 23 points or more

We show these hands with a conventional opening bid of 2C. This says nothing about clubs but announces a big hand immediately. Your rebid over any response from partner will be in no-trumps. See below for the difference between positive and negative responses to this two-club opener.

  • with 23 or 24 points, rebid 2NT (or 3NT over a 3C response)
  • with 25+ points jump directly to 3NT
S A 4 3 2 Open 2C, and over 2D, 2H or 2S from partner, rebid 2NT to show 23-24 points. Over 3C from partner, bid 3NT.
H A J 6
D A K 3
C A K 3

 

S A Q 3 Open 2C and over 2D, rebid 3NT to show 25+ points. Over a positive response (see below), look for a slam, probably in no-trumps.
H K J 3
D A K 3
C A K Q 2

Responder has a particular obligation here since opener has her sights set on a slam. She must decide immediately if her hand is worth a 'positive' response (showing some values) or a 'negative' reply.

With eight points or more, or an ace and a king anywhere, bid normally. With less than eight points, give a negative response of 2D (note that if opponents overcall, your negative reply now becomes a pass, since partner now has another bid anyway).

Once partner has rebid 2NT, you only need three points or more to take to game.

Note that it is possible to use Stayman after the sequence 2C-2D-2NT. 3C would be asking for a major suit. Just as well to be sure that partner is on the same wavelength!

S K J 4 3 After 2C, you initially bid 2D to show less than eight points. After partner's 2NT rebid, you can put her to 3NT with your four points.
H 4 3 2
D 7 6 5
C 4 3 2

 

S 6 5 4 3 After 2C, 2D is the inevitable response and after a 2NT rebid you will pass, the only sequence after a 2C opener where you can. Sorry partner!
H 10 3 2
D 9 8 7
C 10 8 6

 

S A 4 3 2 After 2C, your hand is worth a positive reply of 2S ( anything but 2D is positive). After the 2NT rebid, you can raise to 3NT. If partner's rebid is 3NT, you have slam values and can proceed accordingly.
H 8 6 4
D K 7 6
C 9 7 5

 

S 2 After 2C-2D-2NT (or 3NT), 4H is probably best.  6H may be on if partner has the right three aces but can you find out?
H K Q J 6 3 2
D 4 3 2
C 4 3 2

 

S Q 5 4 3 After 2C, 2S is probably best as you have eight points. After a 2NT rebid from partner, 3NT is far enough. After a 3NT rebid, a slam should be on. Ask for aces.
H 4 3 2
D K 3 2
C Q J 4

I have put some complete hands together which you can have a look at. Try here.

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You can find other unethical kibitzer activities  here.