Reverse (bridge) - Opener's Reverse

Opener's Reverse

This shows a minimum of 16-19 points, depending on system, and at least 5 cards in the first bid suit.

Opener's reverse may face a weak responding hand, with which responder may have intended (over a simple suit rebid) to have rebid his own suit or taken a preference to opener's first suit at the two level. Opener's reverse still allows responder to rebid his suit at the two level, but a preference to opener's first suit must be at the three level. Thus, opener's reverse must show values at least one trick beyond the minimum needed to open.

For example, following 1♦ – 1♠ ; 2♥ - ?, responder may have a weak hand such as ♠QJ86 ♥K2 ♦8762 ♣Q74 and be planning to rebid 2♦, a simple preference, if opener made a typical rebid such as 1NT or 2♣, and to pass if opener rebid 2♠ or 2♦. However, following the reverse, he must now rebid 3♦. Thus the reverse has forced the partnership to commit to taking nine tricks instead of eight - based on the extra strength of opener.

Examples of reverse bidding sequences:

• 1♣(by opener) – 1♠(by responder); 2♦(by opener - this bid is the "reverse")
• 1♦ – 1♠; 2♥
• 1♦ – 1NT; 2♥
• 1♥ – 2♦; 3♣ Acol definition only
• 1♠ – 2♥; 3♦ Acol definition only

A special case exists when responder makes a two-over-one initial bid. Since a two-over-one response shows more than a minimum, generally ten or more, opener does not need as strong a hand to reverse the bidding at that juncture. The modern trend is therefore to allow such a reverse bid after a two-over-one initial response with a minimum opening hand.

Opener's reverse need not be in a four card or longer suit, it can be made on a powerful three card minor suit, such as ♦AQJ. This approach is useful in investigating notrump contracts and when no other 4-card suit is available to bid.