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Openers' rebids with unbalanced hands

Rebids inevitably feature in our discussion of opening bids with unbalanced hands, and this section bears some further scrutiny before you embark on this page.

There are basically three situations to consider in the context of openers' rebid with an unbalanced hand

  1. After suit support by responder. (S)
  2. After change of suit by responder. (Y)
  3. After a NT bid by responder. (N)

   1.Suit support by responder implies a very specific point count and this can be taken in conjunction with your own hand to determine whether game is on. Don't forget that throughout Acol, virtually any bid which is one below game is encouraging partner to bid game if she has anything in reserve. This situation is one where commonly, opponents also have a fit, and it is very difficult to know when to stop.

S K After 1H--2H or even 1H-3H, you would pass. Intervention by opponents here might well push you too high.
H A9632
 D K9632
CJ2
 

 

S K With two queens more than the hand above, 1H-2H would be passed but 1H-3H would be taken to game.
H AQ863
D KQ963
C J2
 

2. A change of suit by responder could show partner with a strongish hand. We must keep the auction open for at least one more round and try to show our strength accurately on our second bid.

S 3 1H-1S merits only a 2H rebid. 1H-2D might justify 3H. Opposition intervention is unlikely to deflect us here.
H AKQ432
D K32
C 432
 

 

S 3 One ace extra in the hand above, and this hand is worth a 3H rebid over any suit response from partner.
H AKQ432
D K32
C A32
 

 

S K542 If partner responds 1S to our 1H opening, a 2S rebid is adequate.
H AK432
D Q2
C 43

 

S K543 With one ace more than the hand above, a 3S rebid is justified.
H AK543
D Q2
C A3
 

 

S A98 After a 1H response from partner, we might prefer a 1NT rebid to C or D. Let opponents bid hearts and we would settle for a minor suit contract , or support partner's spades.
H 2
D AK432
C A432
 
S A98 If opponents come in where the hand looks like a misfit, don't be afraid to double for penalties. If partner bids hearts here, and opponents come in with clubs, think of a double.
H 2
D AK432
C A432
 

    3. No-trump responses from partner at the two or three level are to be discouraged as they take up too much bidding space. A response of 1NT is most depressing and is likely to result in a part-score contract. Unless you have a reasonable hand, opposition intervention is likely to carry the day.

 

S 65 After 1C-1NT, pass or 2C are your options.
H K432
D Q2
C AK432
 

 

S A5 Here, with a stronger hand we would open 1H. Our rebid after 1NT would be 2C or pass.
H K432
D Q2
C AK432
 

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Serendipity

Long hesitations in play can be very informative to partner and therefore unethical and to be avoided.

An apocryphal story about Terence Reese describes a situation where declarer has twice finessed an A Q J  holding in dummy through Reese's partner who on both occasions has made noticeable body movements indicating grave difficulty in knowing how to follow to this lead. On both occasions, Reese followed with a low card. Declarer then played the ace of this suit and Reese's king fell under it. "What are you doing "said his partner "Why didn't you take one of the previous tricks with your king "

" I thought you had it " said Reese.