Responding to 1 of a Minor

When your partner opens 1 of a Minor, how should you respond? Remember your main goal is to find a "Golden Game", which is an 8 card major fit, and 26 points.

Here's how to think through your responses.

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With Less Than 6 Points
If you have less than 6 points, you almost certainly don't have game, so just pass so the bidding doesn't get too high.

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With a Major (6 or more points)
If you have at least 4 cards in a major bid it at the one level. If you have both majors, bid the longer one. If they are the same length:

• With 4 each - bid 1H
• With 5 or 6 each - bid 1S

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Without a Major

With 6-10 Points
You want to let partner you have some points, but not too many. If your partner opened clubs, and you have diamonds (at least 4 of them), you can bid 1D. If you have support for your partner's minor (at least 4 cards, preferably 5 or more) you can bid 2 of your partner's suit. Otherwise bid 1NT.

Just like over a major:

Do not bid a new suit at the 2 level without at least 10 points!

With 10-12 Points
Again, if your partner opened clubs, and you have diamonds (at least 4 of them), you can bid 1D. If your partner opened diamonds, and you have clubs (at least 4 of them), you can bid 2C. If you don't have any other 4 card suit, you must have support for your partner's suit, so bid 3 of your partner's suit.

With 13+ Points
If you have a balanced hand, bid 2NT. If not, you can bid 1D with diamonds (if partner opened clubs), and 2C with clubs (if partner opened diamonds). If none of these apply, you can bid your partner's suit at the 4 level. (though, in this case it is usually better to lie, and bid one of your other suits at a low level, to keep the bidding low while you explore).

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Examples
For all of the following examples, assume that your partner opened 1D.

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K8532

43

987

642

With less than 6 points, just pass.

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AK532

43

987

642

You have a major, so bid it: 1S.

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AK53

T4

A9832

42

Even though you have support for diamonds, show your major first: bid 1S.

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AJ987

5

43

AKQ65

You have two 5-card suits, bid the higher one: 1S.

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AKJ9

AQ53

43

Q65

You have two 4-card suits, bid the cheaper one: 1H.

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75

432

AK653

654

With no 4 card major, and diamond support, show your diamonds. Bid 2D.

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Q54

KJ6

AJ765

43

With no 4 card major, and diamond support, show your diamonds and your points. Bid 3D.

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AQ4

KJ6

AJ765

43

With no 4 card major, a balanced hand, and 13+ points, show your points and your distribution. Bid 2N.

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754

43

64

AQ6532

Your longest suit is clubs, but since you have less than 10 points you can't bid them at the 2 level. With no suit to bid at the one level, bid 1NT.