41. Summary Tables¶

This chapter collects the summary charts for the chapters on responding to openings.

Summary of 1N Responses¶

Here is a summary of the responses to a 1N Opening, classified by hand type, and hand strength.

Balanced or Semi-Balanced Hands¶

This chart is for the standard 15-17 HCP 1N opener and a balanced responding hand (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2).

Responding To 1N With A Balanced Hand¶
HCP	Response	Notes
0-7	Pass	With no four-card major (or a flat hand with one).
8-9	2N	Invitational. No other invitational method for balanced hands.
10-15	3N	Game.
16-17	4N	Quantitative: opener bids 6N with a good 16 or 17.
18-19	6N	Classically. You can ask for Aces with 4♣ (Gerber) first.
20-21	5N	Grand Slam Force (opener bids 6N or 7N), or 5N Pick-A-Slam by agreement.
22+	7N
8-15, a four-card major(s), not 4-3-3-3	2♣ (Stayman)	With a fit, raise to 3M (invitational, 8-9) or 4M (10-15). With no fit, 2N or 3N by the ranges above.
16+, a four-card major(s), not 4-3-3-3	2♣ (Stayman)	With a fit, bid three of the other major (3W!), a power raise (16+ HCP); it is a game force, and opener should start control bidding. With no fit, bid notrump by the ranges above (4N is quantitative, denying a fit).
Any, five-card major (5-3-3-2)	2♦ or 2♥ (transfer)	See the unbalanced charts below for the continuations.
Any, five-card minor	As above by points	Do nothing special with a five-card minor.

Note

4NT is quantitative when no fit has been agreed; after a fit is agreed (for example with the 3W power raise), 4N asks for keycards. Whenever 4N is quantitative, use 4♣ Gerber to ask for Aces.

Unbalanced Hands¶

One 5+ Card Major M (no 4-card other major)¶

Weak (0-7 HCP): Jacoby transfer (2♦ → hearts, 2♥ → spades) then pass.

Invitational (8-9 HCP):

With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 2NT after opener accepts.
With 6 (or more), transfer, then bid 3M.

Game Force (10-15 HCP):

With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 3NT.
With 6 (or more), transfer, then bid 4M. See Texas Transfers.

Slam Interest (16+ HCP):

With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 3NT.
With 6 (or more), transfer then quantitative 4M.

** Super-Accepts (Advanced)**:

Opener may jump to 3M with a maximum (17 HCP) and good trump support (See Advanced Notrump for variations).

Follow-ups after Opener Accepts the Transfer

After 1N – 2t – 2M:

New minor at 3-level = game force with a second suit. Could be strong.
3M = invitational with 6+ trumps.
3NT = to play (opener can correct to 4M with a fit).
4♣ = Gerber.
4M = 6 (or more) trumps. See Texas Transfers, recommended. If playing Texas, this sequence is a mild slam try (“slow shows”).
4NT = quantitative.

One Four-Card Major¶

Use Stayman but NOT if your hand is 4=3=3=3 or 3=4=3=3. The hand should be invitational or better, unless weak, short in clubs, intending to pass opener’s rebid regardless.

Bid 2♣︎; the opener rebids a 4 (or more)-card major, or bids 2♦︎ to deny one. If opener rebids your major, revalue your hand, then:

Raise to 3M with an invitational hand.
Raise to 4M with 10+ points.
If you have slam interest (16+) you can power-raise by bidding 3 of the other major (3W!), which invites opener to start bidding a control.

If opener doesn’t show a fit then bid NT at an appropriate level as in the no-major case.

Both Majors (4-4, 5-4)¶

If weak (0-7 HCP), transfer to a five-card major and pass, unless Garbage Stayman applies (4=4=4=1 or 4=4=5=0).

Otherwise start with Stayman 2♣ (artificial, asks for a 4-card major). Opener replies:

2♦ = no 4-card major
2♥ = 4+ hearts (may have spades)
2♠ = 4+ spades (denies 4 hearts)

Then invite or raise to game in a discovered fit, or bid 2NT/3NT if no fit.

Optional: With a game-forcing hand, after a 2♦ denial, use Smolen.

5-5 Majors¶

You may have an agreement at the 3-level showing these hands. If not, which is the default:

Weak: Transfer to the better major then pass
Invitational: Transfer to hearts then bid 2♠.
Game forcing: Transfer to spades then bid 3♥︎.

Quiz: How do we know the responder is 5-5 in the majors in these cases?

Answer: he did not bid Stayman.

Long Minor (no 4-card major)¶

Weak (0-7 HCP only): 2♠ (Minor Relay):

Forces opener to bid 3♣. Responder then bids pass or corrects to 3♦ (to play).

Invitational (8-9 HCP):

Direct 3♣ or 3♦ (natural invite). If you are playing the 3-level bids as something else, you’ll have another way.

Game Force (10-15 HCP):

Minor Relay, then bid 3NT.

Slam Interest (16+ HCP):

Bid 2♠︎ (Minor Relay), then bid 3♥︎ to show interest in a club slam, or 3♠︎ to show interest in a diamond slam. This is part of the Minor Relay convention.

Quick Reference¶

These are the most common standard responses:

Pass: weak
2♣: Stayman (4+ major(s) or special weak hands)
2♦: Jacoby transfer to hearts (5+ hearts)
2♥: Jacoby transfer to spades (5+spades)
2♠: Minor Relay (6+ minor, usually weak)
2NT: balanced, invitational (8-9)
3NT: balanced game (10-15)
4NT: quantitative slam try
4♦/4♥: Texas transfer (optional, game force with 6+ major)

Responses To 1M¶

These summarize Responding To Major Openings.

Each table has the same rows in the same order, so you can compare the situations.

Unpassed Hand, No Interference¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Fewer than 6 HCP; with some hands a light simple raise to 2M.
Simple raise	2M: 3 (or more) trump, 6-10^-.
Limit raise, 3-card	1N (forcing), then 3M: three trump, 10-11.
Limit raise, 4-card	3M: 4 (or more) trump, 10-11.
Game-forcing raise	2N! (Jacoby 2NT): 4 (or more) trump, game forcing. With three trump, a 2/1 bid (or 1♠), then support.
Splinter	A double jump in a new suit (3♠ over 1♥; 4♣ or 4♦ over 1M; 4♥ over 1♠): game-going raise with a singleton or void. Alerted.
Preemptive raise	4M: weak, 5 (or more) trump and shortness.
1N	Forcing for one round, 6-11. Need not be balanced. Announced.
New suit at the 1 level	1♠ over 1♥: 4 (or more) spades, 6 (or more) HCP, forcing.
New suit at the 2 level	2/1, forcing to game: an opening hand; 2♥ over 1♠ promises 5 (or more) hearts, a minor 4 (or more) (rarely 3).
Jump shift	3♣ or 3♦: six cards, invitational, not forcing. For other jump shifts see All About Jump-Shifts.
2N	Jacoby 2NT (see game-forcing raise).
3N	Not applicable.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

Passed Hand, No Interference¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Fewer than 6 HCP. With four trump, or three trump to a high honor (A, K, or Q), and some shape, you can choose to raise to 2M; with five trump, consider the preemptive 4M.
Simple raise	2M: 3 (or more) trump, 6-10^-.
Limit raise, 3-card	2♣! (Reverse Drury): limit raise, 3 (or more) trump, forcing.
Limit raise, 4-card	2♣! (Reverse Drury), the same bid.
Game-forcing raise	2♣! Drury (the passed hand got better with the fit).
Splinter	A double jump in a new suit, when the fit has made the hand game-going.
Preemptive raise	3M: weak, four trump. 4M: weak, 5 (or more) trump and shortness.
1N	Not forcing: 6-9 HCP, no support. With 10 HCP and no fit, you may downgrade to 1N.
New suit at the 1 level	1♠ over 1♥: 4 (or more) spades, 6 (or more) HCP, not forcing.
New suit at the 2 level	An invitational hand, not forcing. 2♣ is Drury, not natural: with only five clubs, bid 3♣ if they are good enough, otherwise 1N.
Jump shift	3♣ or 3♦: six cards, invitational, not forcing. For other jump shifts see All About Jump-Shifts.
2N	11-12, balanced, no fit, not forcing.
3N	Not applicable.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

After A Takeout Double: 1M (X)¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Less than 6 HCP, not suitable for a preemptive raise.
Simple raise	2M, the same as without the double.
Limit raise, 3-card	Redouble, then show the support.
Limit raise, 4-card	2N! (Jordan 2NT): 4 (or more) trump, limit raise or better.
Game-forcing raise	Not applicable. (Jordan 2NT is forcing.)
Splinter	As without the double.
Preemptive raise	3M is weak, four trump; 4M is five or more trump.
1N	Not forcing, 6-9 HCP, no fit.
New suit at the 1 level	1♠ over 1♥: 6 (or more) HCP, forcing one round; some hands with 10+ HCP redouble instead.
New suit at the 2 level	6-9, 2/1 is off, not forcing.
Jump shift	Weak (e.g. 1♥ (X) 3♣: six clubs, weak).
2N	Jordan 2NT (see limit raise, 4-card).
3N	Not applicable.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	10+ HCP, denies four trump; forcing to two of opener’s suit (Going For Blood).
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

After An Overcall: 1M (overcall)¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Weak hands. Also pass with a trump stack in their suit, and let opener reopen.
Simple raise	2M, 3 (or more) trump, 6-10^-; Axxx of trump and a ruffing value is also enough.
Limit raise, 3-card	Cue bid of their suit: limit raise or better.
Limit raise, 4-card	The same cue bid. By partnership agreement, 2N when the cue bid would force to game, as in 1♥ (2♠).
Game-forcing raise	Cue bid, then game. 1♥ (2♠) 3♠ is game forcing.
Splinter	A jump cue bid.
Preemptive raise	A jump raise to 3M is preemptive, usually four trump. 4M: weak, 5 (or more) trump.
1N	1♥ (1♠) 1N only: typically shows a spade stopper but not enough values for 2N, say 8-9 HCP.
New suit at the 1 level	Not applicable.
New suit at the 2 level	10+ points and a five-card suit. Forcing, but not game forcing.
Jump shift	Weak (preemptive).
2N	Natural: invitational, balanced, a stopper in their suit. Can be passed.
3N	To play, with stoppers in their suit.
Double	Negative double (through 2♠): 6 points at the one level, 8 to 10 at the two level.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	Limit raise or better in opener’s major. A jump cue bid is a splinter.

Responses To 1m¶

These summarize Responding To Minor Openings.

Each table has the same rows in the same order, so you can compare the situations. Where the minors chapter is silent, an entry follows the majors tables and says “as after a major”.

Unpassed Hand, No Interference¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Fewer than 6 HCP, not suitable for a preemptive raise.
Simple raise	None. With 6-10^- and a fit, bid a suit at the one level or 1N.
Limit raise or better	2m! (Inverted Minors): 10+ HCP, 5 (or more) trump (or four good diamonds), no four-card major. Unlimited, forcing one round, alerted.
Game-forcing raise	2m!, then bid stoppers up the line; responder can go directly to 3N.
Splinter	Not applicable.
Preemptive raise	3m!: 0-6 HCP, 5 (or more) trump.
Jump to 4m	Slam try (a double jump): seriously interested in 6m.
1N	6-10, natural, not forcing; need not be balanced. Also with exactly 10 and no major or fit.
New suit at the 1 level	4 (or more) cards, 6 (or more) HCP, forcing. Over 1♣, a four-card major before diamonds unless game forcing (Walsh).
New suit at the 2 level	1♦ – 2♣: forcing to game, 13+ HCP, 5 (or more) clubs.
Jump shift	1♦ – 3♣: 6 (or more) clubs, invitational. Other jump shifts are weak and alerted.
2N	11-12^-, no four-card major, invitational.
3N	Balanced, 13+ HCP, game forcing, stoppers in the other suits, no four-card major.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

Passed Hand, No Interference¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Fewer than 6 HCP, not suitable for a preemptive raise.
Simple raise	None (Inverted Minors is on).
Limit raise or better	2m! (Inverted Minors): 10+ HCP, 5 (or more) trump. Not forcing.
Game-forcing raise	2m! (the passed hand got better with the fit).
Splinter	Not applicable.
Preemptive raise	3m!: 0-6 HCP, 5 (or more) trump.
Jump to 4m	Slam try.
1N	6-10, natural, not forcing.
New suit at the 1 level	4 (or more) cards, 6 (or more) HCP, not forcing.
New suit at the 2 level	1♦ – 2♣: 10+ HCP, 5 (or more) clubs, not forcing.
Jump shift	See All About Jump-Shifts.
2N	11-12^-, no fit, not forcing (as after a major).
3N	To play.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

After A Takeout Double: 1m (X)¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Less than 6 HCP, not suitable for a preemptive raise.
Simple raise	2m: 6-10^-, 5 (or more) trump.
Limit raise or better	2N! (Jordan 2NT): 4 (or more) trump (some partnerships agree on 5 (or more)).
Game-forcing raise	2N! (Jordan 2NT), which is a limit raise or better.
Splinter	Not applicable.
Preemptive raise	3m.
Jump to 4m	Slam try.
1N	Not forcing, 6-9 HCP, no fit (as after a major).
New suit at the 1 level	Natural, 6 (or more) HCP, forcing.
New suit at the 2 level	6-9 HCP, 5 (or more) cards, not forcing (strong hands redouble).
Jump shift	Weak (as after a major).
2N	Jordan 2NT.
3N	To play.
Double	Not applicable.
Redouble	10+ HCP (Going For Blood).
Cue bid of their suit	Not applicable.

After An Overcall: 1m (overcall)¶
Responder’s action	Meaning
Pass	Weak hands. Also pass with a trump stack in their suit, and let opener reopen (as after a major).
Simple raise	2m: 6-10^-, 5 (or more) trump.
Limit raise or better	Cue bid of their suit at the two level.
Game-forcing raise	Cue bid, then game (as after a major).
Splinter	Not applicable.
Preemptive raise	A jump raise to 3m.
Jump to 4m	Slam try.
1N	A stopper in their suit, not enough for 2N, say 8-9 HCP (as after a major).
New suit at the 1 level	Natural, 6 (or more) HCP, forcing.
New suit at the 2 level	Natural, forcing, 10+ HCP. 1♦ – 2♣ shows 5 (or more) clubs.
Jump shift	Weak (preemptive) (as after a major).
2N	Natural: invitational, balanced, a stopper in their suit (as after a major).
3N	To play, with stoppers in their suit (as after a major).
Double	Negative double; see negative doubles.
Redouble	Not applicable.
Cue bid of their suit	At the two level, limit raise or better. At the three level, Western Cue: game values, asks for a stopper.