Forcing Notrump - Responder's Rebid

Responder's Rebid

Responder categorizes her hand as either minimum (6-9 HCP) or invitational (10-12 HCP).

The minimum responder rebids are:

• 2 of opener's original major (shows two-card support)
• 2 of a new suit (shows a five-card or longer suit; some play a six-card or longer suit)
• pass denies either of the above (shows a distinct preference for opener's second-bid suit)

The invitational responder rebids are:

• 3 of opener's original major (shows exactly a three-card limit raise)
• 3 of a new suit (shows a six-card or longer suit)
• 2NT (natural)
• 3 of opener's second suit (shows at least four-card support)
• over a first suit of hearts unusual 2♠ may apply (see below)

Variation. There is more than one school of thought for responder's second call. The above text represents only one theory. Another widely utilized theory is:

With a minimum (6-9 support points):

• pass (or raise) holding 5+ cards in the suit bid: exception - see false preference.
• bid openers first suit with 2 card-support: exception see false preference.
• pass holding 4+ cards in the current suit bid
• with a 6+ card suit with reasonable top-cards in the suit, bid that if it is between the current suit and 2 of openers suit. Example: (opponents passing) 1♥ – 1NT; 2♣ – ?. 2♦ would fit this bid, but 2♠ would not (as the responder would have bid 1♠ the first time, see Unusual two spades below)
• if none of these options work, usually pass with 3 in the current suit, otherwise bid openers first suit false preference (see below) may apply.