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A cheerful frog who manages to survive without playing bridge

Not much further now!

Continuation of responder's second bid

PARTNER OPENED ONE OF A SUIT

We shall divide this into three sections corresponding to your three possible first responses--S, Y or N. The golden rule here is that with a poor hand, you will probably pass or at best give partner a suit-preference, while with a good hand, you will be looking for the best game.

The three cases to consider are as below:-

S---You supported partner on your first bid

You would have made a simple raise in the majors with a 6-8 point hand and four-card support. You would have another bid under several circumstances here:-

(A) S A 4 3 2 After 1S-2S, a bid of 3S from partner is inviting you to game if you are maximum. As you are, you can accept the invitation and bid four spades. Take away a queen and you would pass.
H Q 7 5
D Q 9 6
C 7 6 5

 

(B) S 9 7 5 After 1H-2H, the meaning of 3C or 3D from partner would depend upon partnership agreement. It may simply show a second suit, looking for game if you have good cards in it. Here you would raise 3D to 4H but sign off 3C in3H.The bid may ask for support in this suit--responses would then be the same as above.
H K 9 7 5
D K Q 5 4
C 7 3

 

(C) S 7 After 1D-2D, partner may try 2NT, preferring a no-trump  to a minor suit contract. A sign off in 3D would then be best. With a more balanced hand, you might leave her in no-trumps.
H K 4 3
D K 9 7 5
C 9 7 5 3 2

A jump raise, 1S-3S could give you another bid if partner has slam aspirations or if either of techniques (B) or (C) above were used. Illustrations of these should be unnecessary.

Y---You offered your own suit on your first bid.

Several situations could arise here.

(D) S K 4 3 2 After 1H-1S, 2S from partner would show a 12-14 point hand with four spades. Here you would pass. Give yourself another ace and you would try 4S. If partner jumped in support, 1H-1S-3S, you are good enough for game.
H 8 7 6
D K 3 2
C Q 3 2

 

(E) S K 4 3 2 After 1H-1S, any no-trump rebid from partner will show a balanced hand with a specific point count. 1H-1S-1NT shows 15-16 and you would pass. 1H-1S-2NT is 17-18 and you would raise to 3NT.
H 8 7 6
D K 3 2
C Q 3 2

 

(F) S K Q 6 5 4 3 With an unbalanced hand facing partner's no-trump rebid, you would look to play in a suit. After 1H-1S-1NT, 2S would be a weakness take-out. After 1H-1S-2NT, you might try 4S.
H 4 3 2
D 2
C J 3 2

 

(G) S K 7 6 5 4 After 1H-1S-2H, partner is showing 12-14 points and five hearts, so you pass. Give yourself an additional ace and you would raise to 4H. 1H-1S-3H could be raised to 4H at once.
H 4 3 2
D K 2
C Q 4 3

 

(H) S K 7 6 4 If partner offers you two suits, you can give a simple preference or try no-trumps. Here, after 1H-1S-2D, you would show a preference with  a bid of 2H. After 1H-1S-3D, you would need another picture before it's worth a try for 3NT.
H 5 4 3
D 3 2
C K 7 6 4

N---You responded one no-trump.

You only have 6-8 points and are likely to bid again only if you are maximum and partner invites you to game or if partner bids a second suit when you may have to show a preference.

(I) S K 3 2 After 1H-1NT-2NT, you would pass. Give yourself another queen and the hand is worth a raise to 3NT. After 1H-1NT-2D, you would pass: even with a rebid of 3D, you pass.
H 3 2
D Q 7 5 4
C J 6 4 3

 

(J) S Q 4 3 2D might have been better than your 1NT here. After 1H-1NT-2NT, you raise to 3NT. After 1H-1NT-3H, 4H is worth a stab. After 1H-1NT-3C, 3NT may be worth a try.
H 4 3 2
D K 7 6 2
C K 5 4

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 Who collects the tricks ?

At rubber bridge, declarer should collect his own tricks. Partnerships where dummy collects them should be ostracised. Either defender may collect the tricks. It is often a simple courtesy for the partner of the defender taking the first trick to collect them.

At duplicate, each player organises his own cards in an orderly overlapping row in front of him. At the end of the play, the cards should not be disturbed until agreement has been reached as to the number of tricks won.