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THE ONE DIAMOND OPENING A 1D opening is forcing, showing a notrump hand of 16-20 HCP or a very good natural opening bid in diamonds. When 1D is based on a diamond suit, partner will count on opener for at least five diamonds and 16 HCP, but a "good 15" is okay. With a game-going hand, it is usually better to start with 2C instead of 1D, but 1D is okay if game is not fairly certain or opener has a second suit in which he can make a (forcing) jump shift. Responses The 1D opening is forcing. All one-level responses, and 2C, are artificial. With a bad hand, responder usually bids 1H. A 1H response says, "I doubt that we can make a game, even if you have 20 HCP." A response of 1S shows about 6-9 HCP. It says, "Perhaps we have a game." Five HCP are enough with a good five-card suit. A response of 2C is game forcing. Responder wants to be in game no matter what sort of hand opener has. A response of 1NT also says "no game," but shows length in both minors or both majors. Opener takes his choice of the minors at the two level, no matter what his hand. Responder will then bid 2H when holding the majors, whereupon opener will usually pass or bid 2S, even with 20 HCP. Opener prefers the lower ranking suit with equal length, so responder might chance this bid with a 4-5 holding in the two suits instead of the more usual 5-5. A response of 2NT shows the minors only and is either a little stronger in high cards or more distributional: 6-6 or 5-6 (not 6-5, because opener will prefer clubs with 2-2). Game may be possible if opener fits one or both suits, especially if he has 19-20 HCP, but most of the time he will bid 3C or 3S. Responses of 2H or 2S show a fair six-card suit and a weak hand. Typical suits for this bid: KJ9xxx, QJ9xxx, A10xxxx, with nothing outside. When the suit is weaker, it is better to bid 1H and hope that the suit can be shown later. When it is stronger, the hand is good enough for a 1S response. The suit should be reasonably playable opposite a singleton, since opener will usually pass with a diamond-type opening bid and a singleton in responder's suit. Opener also passes with a 16-18 HCP notrump hand, and will pass with 19-20 HCP if he lacks a good fit (e.g., Axx, Kxx) with responder's suit. A response of 2D shows the same sort of suit and hand, but a five- card suit is okay (opener cannot have a singleton diamond). The 2D response with a five-card suit is made only with a hand that looks like a bad dummy for a 1NT contract, and is therefore usually unbalanced. A jump to three of a suit shows a weak hand with a seven-card suit similar in strength to the two-level responses. A 3C bid, however, may be based on a six-card suit (since a 2C response is artifi- cial). A jump to four shows a semi-solid (AQJ.., KQJ.., AK..) seven-carder. When in doubt about the proper response with a borderline hand, responder should make the weaker response with very short diamonds. The diamond shortness will not be an asset if opener has a diamond- type opening. Rebids by a One Diamond Opener -- After a 1H response, opener clarifies his hand: With a 16-20 HCP notrump hand, he rebids 1NT. With a "good diamond hand" opening, he rebids diamonds or shows a second suit. He rebids 2C to show hearts and 2H to show clubs. The natural rebids of 1S and 2D are not forcing, since powerful hands are opened with 2C. Opener may choose to rebid a strong five-card diamond suit rather than show a weak four-card club suit (a 2H bid forces responder to the three level in order to prefer a minor). A jump rebid, usually based on very good distribution (since responder could be completely broke), is not forcing. The reason for switching the 2C and 2H rebids is to allow hearts to be shown easily, as it is more important to show hearts than clubs. These artificial rebids apply only after a 1H response, and only when the opponents have been passing. A jump shift is forcing for one round. A jump rebid in diamonds is highly invitational. -- After a 1NT response, he bids his better minor (preferring clubs with equal length). If responder then bids 2H, he usually passes or bids 2S (preferring hearts with equal length). -- After a 2NT response, he usually bids his better minor (prefer- ring clubs with equal length). With a good fit in one or both minors and/or 19-20 HCP, he can raise to an appropriate level or even bid 3NT (e.g., with D-AKx), remembering that responder may have zero HCP. -- After a 1S response, opener clarifies his hand: With a diamond-type opening, he rebids diamonds or shows a second suit. These bids are not forcing, so if opener wants to be in game opposite a minimum 1S response, he must jump. All jump rebids in a suit, even 3D, are forcing to game. With a 16-18 HCP notrump hand, he rebids 1NT. With a 19-20 HCP notrump hand, he rebids 2NT. -- After a 2C response, opener clarifies his hand: With a diamond-type opening, he rebids diamonds or shows a second suit. Any rebid is forcing, since the 2C response is forcing to game, but opener may choose to make a jump rebid if that will describe his hand better. With a 16-18 HCP hand, he rebids 1NT. With a 19-20 HCP hand, he rebids 3NT. -- After a two-level response in a suit other than clubs, he usually passes. With a fine fit in responder's suit, he bids what he thinks he can make. If the response was 2D he assumes a five- card suit, so if he rebids 2NT (showing a fit) responder will raise to 3NT with a six-card suit. -- After a three-level jump response, opener also bids or passes in accordance with his fit in responder's suit, remembering that a 3C response may be based on a six-card suit. Rebids by a One Heart Responder Since the 1H responder is very weak, his second bid (if any) at the two level is natural and non-forcing. All notrump conventions are off, enabling the bidding to stop at 2C or 2D: Opener Responder 1D 1H 1NT 2 any - natural sign-off Opener Responder 1D 1H 1S 2C/2D/2H - weak sign-off In the second auction, opener has shown diamonds and spades. With great support for one of opener's suits, an appropriate raise is okay. Remember that a 2D bid at this point is a preference, not a raise. To raise, (unlikely, in view of the 1H response) responder must jump to 3D. Rebids by a One Spade Responder The 1S response says, "Maybe there is a game." After a 1NT or 2NT rebid by opener, all notrump conventions are on. When opener shows a diamond-type opening, responder's new suit bid is forcing, showing at least a five-card suit and 8 HCP (maybe a little less with a good major suit). An invitational 2NT rebid requires 8-9 HCP, a suit raise 8-9 points (i.e., including distributional points). Opener Responder 1D 1S 2C 2H/2S - forcing 2NT/3C/3D - 8-9 points Note that responder must bid 3D, not 2D, to raise diamonds when opener rebids 2C. A 2D bid would be a preference, not a raise. With a hand that is too weak for these rebids, responder must prefer one of opener's suits (or pass a 2D rebid). If opener jumps in a suit (including diamonds), responder must find another bid even with a minimum 1S response. If opener rebids in notrump, all notrump bidding conventions apply ("systems on"). Rebids by a Two Club Responder The 2C response is forcing to game, so responder can thereafter bid his hand leisurely without fear of being dropped short of game. If opener rebids 2NT, all notrump conventions apply. If he jumps to 3NT, showing a 19-20 HCP notrump hand, Gerber and major suit transfers apply. Unfortunately there is no room for Stayman: Opener Responder 1D 2C 3NT 4C - Gerber 4D/4H - transfer bids 4S - notrump raise 4NT - stronger raise 5C - Miller convention The 4S invites opener to continue with a good-looking 20 HCP, which means that 4NT is practically forcing. The Boland convention applies to both bids. See the book "Strong Bidding" for a description of both the Boland and Miller conventions. If opener rebids in a suit, showing the strong diamond sort of opening, all jump takeouts in a suit by responder are splinter bids. This includes a jump to 4D when opener rebids some other suit: Opener Responder 1D 2C 2H 4D - splinter, good hearts Splinter bids show at least some extra high card strength over what is required for a 2C response. With a minimum 2C response, just raise opener's suit instead of splintering. If opener rebids in notrump, all notrump bidding conventions apply ("systems on"), except that it is probably not wise to use Stayman after a 3NT rebid. Save 4C for Gerber. The Impossible Negative The 1H negative response can be used with a 4-4-4-1 hand contain- ing 10 or more HCP. Responder jumps in the suit below the short suit on the second round to show this sort of hand: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 1NT Pass 3H - spade singleton North has at least 10 HCP and distribution of 1-4-4-4. Opener can bid 3NT with no fit or ask about HCP with a bid of the next higher ranking suit (spades, in this case). In showing HCP, responder does not count a singleton king, queen, or jack, which may be useless cards if the hand plays in a suit contract. A singleton ace is counted, but only as 3 HCP, not 4. It follows that responder's bids to show HCP must start with 7 HCP, which would be a 10 HCP hand with a singleton king: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 1NT Pass 3C Pass 3D? Pass 3H = 7-8 HCP excluding D-K D-Q D-J 3S 9-10 HCP 3NT 11-12, etc. South can now place the contract accurately when there is a suit fit, remembering that it takes 29 HCP (excluding points deducted in the short suit) to bid a small slam with confidence, and 33 HCP for a grand slam. If opener needs further clarification of responder's hand, he can repeat the HCP request by bidding the next higher ranking suit, provided that it is the singleton suit or a non-game bid (a game bid would be a sign-off): South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 1NT Pass 3D - a 4-1-4-4 hand 3H? Pass 3NT shows 9-10 HCP 4C? Pass 4D - 9 HCP 4H - 10 HCP If opener rebids in diamonds, responder's jump in a suit other than diamonds shows the same 4-4-4-1 hand, but a jump in diamonds is a natural raise (weak, but great distribution), so we jump in the short suit (splinter bid in support of diamonds) instead of the suit below the short suit. With short diamonds, responder jumps in notrump: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 2D Pass 3NT - a 4-4-1-4 hand, 10-13 HCP 4NT - same, 14-15 HCP 3H/3S/4C - short suit (splinter) 4D - weak, great distribution The HCP requirements for the 3NT/4NT bids include full values for all honors. If opener rebids in a new suit, responder jumps in notrump if the singleton is in the new suit: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 2C Pass 3NT - short hearts, 4-1-4-4 South's 2C rebid shows hearts after a 1H response, so the jump in notrump shows short hearts. With a fit in opener's second suit, responder splinters in the short suit. If that is not diamonds, the splinter reveals a double fit in both diamonds and the second suit. To show short diamonds after opener rebids in a new suit, responder must double jump in diamonds. A single jump would merely be a diamond raise: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 1S Pass 3NT - short spades, 1-4-4-4 2D - diamond preference 3D - diamond raise 4D - short diamonds, 4-4-1-4 4C/4H - splinter, double fit With a weak hand and great diamond support, responder must be content with a raise to 3D (or 5D) in this situation. The impossible negative does not apply to a "negative pass" when the 1D opening is overcalled or doubled. When 1D Gets Doubled If the 1D opening is doubled, probably showing diamonds, responder passes with a normal negative (1H) response, redoubles with a normal 1S response, and bids 1H (game forcing) with a normal 2C response. A 1S response shows a five-card suit (perhaps a very weak six) in a hand too weak for a redouble or 2S bid. Any two-level response, including 2C, shows a fair six-card suit and a bad hand, as usual. In this case the jump to 3C shows a seven-card suit, like other three-level jumps. If the double shows diamonds, a 1NT response remains artificial, weak, but shows both majors only. A "cue bid" of 2D is forcing to game. More descriptive than a redouble would be, the cue bid implies a void in diamonds and at least 10 HCP. If the double does not show diamonds, 2D is not a cue bid and the 1NT response retains it usual meaning: both majors or both minors. When a double gets passed around to opener, he bids 1NT with a notrump hand, even with 20 HCP. Suppose opener has a diamond-type opening (unlikely, if the double shows diamonds)? He either passes (if he likes 1D doubled) or bids a second suit. If responder has redoubled, opener rebids 1NT with 16-18 HCP, 2NT with 19-20, makes the normal rebid (or passes) with a diamond-type opening. If responder has bid 1H, the artificial game force in this situa- tion, opener bids 1NT with a 16-18 HCP notrump hand, 2NT with 19-20, and makes his normal rebid with a diamond-type opening. When RHO Overcalls With 2C or a Lower Bid When a 1D opening is overcalled by opener's left hand opponent (LHO) at the one level, or with 2C, responder passes if he was going to bid a negative 1H, and generally doubles ("positive double") if he was going to bid a positive 1S. A bid in the next higher ranking suit (not notrump) is an artificial game force, equivalent to a 2C bid in the absence of competition. Minimum natural suit bids are not forcing. Bidding one level higher than a non-forcing bid shows a game-going hand: South West North 1D 1H Pass - negative, 0-5 HCP Dbl - positive, 6-9 HCP 1NT - weak, both minors 1S - artificial game force 2H - cue bid, game force 2C/2D/2S - not forcing 3C/3D/3S - game force The cue bid is used with a 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 game-going hand, with shortness in the opposing suit and at least 10 HCP. The jump responses may be preferred to the artificial game force when responder has a long strong suit. The 2D response may be based on a weakish five-card suit, since opener usually has diamond support. The other non-forcing suit responses should be based on a better suit, preferably six long, since opener may have to pass with a singleton. With 18 HCP or more opener is permitted to bid after a non-forcing response, so responder should not be too weak. South West North 1D 1S Pass - negative, 0-5 HCP Dbl - positive, 6-9 HCP 1NT - weak, both minors 2C - artificial game force 2D/2H/3C - not forcing 2S - cue bid, game force 3D/3H/4C - game force Here, too, the cue bid shows a three-suited game-going hand. Note that a 3C bid over 1S is not considered a jump bid, since 2C is artificial. When the overcall is 2C, similar principles apply: South West North 1D 2C Pass - negative, 0-6 HCP Dbl - positive, 7-9 HCP 2D - artificial game force 2H/2S/3D - not forcing 3C - cue bid, game force 3H/3S/4D - game force Note that a positive double at the two level requires at least 7 HCP. When partner passes an overcall, opener's takeout double or cue bid shows a hand based on diamonds. It implies shortness in the overcall suit(s) and support for the unbid major(s). Holding four spades and five diamonds, opener has a choice of reopening with 1S or a takeout double when there has been a 1H overcall. She should prefer the takeout double with very short hearts, especially if the spades are weak. A cue bid would show something like S-AK83 H- void D-AQ1087 C-KQ64. Holding a notrump hand opposite a passing partner, South usually reopens with 1NT after a one-level overcall. It is permissible to pass, however, with a minimum (16 HCP) notrump hand, especially when vulnerable. It is also permissible to pass with a diamond-type opening when no safe rebid is available, especially with length in the opposing suit. After a positive double opener makes a normal rebid. With a notrump hand she must bid notrump, ignoring any unbid major for the moment, even when lacking a stopper in the opposing suit. A cue bid implies an extra good diamond opening with shortness in the opposing suit: South West North East 1D 1H Dbl Pass 1S - diamond-type opening, spade suit too 2C - diamond-type opening, club suit too 1NT - 16-18 HCP notrump hand 2NT - 19-20 HCP notrump hand 2H - diamond-type opening, strong cue bid The 1S and 2C rebids are not forcing, so opener must jump to force. All the notrump conventions (Stayman, Jacoby, etc.) apply when opener shows a notrump-type hand following responder's double. They do not apply when opener rebids notrump opposite a passing partner: South West North East 1D 1S Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2C is natural, not Stayman The cue bid response to a double is useful with very strong hands based on a diamond suit opening: South West North East 1D 2C Dbl Pass 3C This cue bid is forcing to game. South has S-AQ87 H-AQ3 D-AQJ97 C-4. He chooses to cue bid because 2S could be passed and 3S could lose the heart suit if North has five hearts. When responder has length in the overcall suit, he may choose to pass rather than double: South West North 1D 1S Pass North has S-AQ1087 H-742 D-32 C-J86, and hopes that South, who will usually reopen after a one-level overcall, will make a takeout double. South can then pass again, expecting to defeat 1S. With a better hand than this, say 10 HCP or more, the game forcing 2C bid is preferable to a pass (because opener might also pass). When a "negative passer" later doubles a raise of the overcall, that is for takeout: South West North East 1D 1H Pass 2H Pass Pass Dbl - takeout North could hardly have long hearts, so this double is for takeout, showing short hearts and no doubt four spades. Doubles of higher level bids, or of a suit rebid by RHO, are for business: South West North East 1D 1S Pass 2H Pass 2S/3H Dbl - business double Suppose opener doubles a two or three-level raise made over partner's positive double: South West North East 1D 1S Dbl 2S/3S Dbl - takeout This is a responsive double, implying a diamond-type opening, shortness in the suit doubled, and support for the unbid suits. A double of one major strongly implies four-card support for the other major. A double of a new suit bid or higher-level raise by RHO is for business: South West North East 1D 1S Dbl 2C Dbl - business double When LHO Overcalls With 2D or a Higher Bid When the overcall is 2D or higher there is no artificial game force (other than a cue bid), so the double becomes unlimited: South West North 1D 2D Pass - negative Dbl - positive, 7 HCP & up 2H/2S/3C - not forcing 2NT - stopper, 8-9 HCP 3D - cue bid, game force 3H/3S - forcing When the overcall is a natural bid in diamonds, as above, South will show a four-card major in response to the double, even with a notrump hand. Usually this would imply a diamond-type opening with a secondary major suit, but in view of the diamond overcall responder can assume that opener has a notrump hand. When the overcall is not in the diamond suit, opener must rebid in notrump with a notrump hand, possibly bypassing a major. When responder doubles a two-level overcall, opener (unless she chooses to pass) will have to bid 2NT to show a 16-17 HCP notrump hand, since 1NT is not available. We can't use 2NT to show 16-18 HCP because a three-point range is too wide for a 2NT bid. With an 18-20 HCP notrump hand, opener jumps to 3NT. It may be best to pass the double rather than bid notrump with three small in the opposing suit, but go ahead and bid notrump with Qx, treating that as a stopper. If you open a notrump type 1D with Jx or worse in a suit, a poor practice when playing amBIGuous, you may be in trouble here. Notrump conventions still apply at this level if opener shows a notrump-type hand in response to a double. Use the same conventions as over a 2NT opening: South West North East 1D 2S Dbl Pass 2NT Pass 3C - Stayman North's hand: S-32 H-K542 D-763 C-AQJ8 Without the queen of clubs she would pass 2NT. Without the ace of clubs she would have to pass instead of doubling. A double with 6 HCP is too dangerous at this level, considering that opener might have only 16 HCP. With a notrump-type hand and enough to continue after a 2NT response, opener can use a cue bid to ask for a major on the way to 3NT: South West North East 1D 2S 2NT Pass 3S - implies four hearts & a notrump hand 3C - diamonds and clubs 3H - diamonds and hearts 3D - long diamonds, a dislike of notrump When the overcall is at such a level that a minimum major suit response must be at the three level (or a minor at the four level), that has to be forcing: South West North 1D 3C Dbl - 8 HCP & up 3D - not forcing 3H/3S - forcing A three-level (or higher) double requires 8 HCP. If responder has the sort of hand that would not relish a penalty pass by opener, he can cue bid instead of doubling: South West North 1D 2H 3H North has S-K1097 H-4 D-QJ64 C-A762. A double of 2H could result in a missed slam if opener passes, so responder makes the game-forcing cue bid instead. When RHO Overcalls the Response to One Diamond If responder has made a negative 1H response, a double is for takeout: South West North East 1D Pass 1H 2C Dbl - takeout double A double by a 1H responder is also for takeout: South West North East 1D Pass 1H 1S Pass Pass Dbl - takeout, must have hearts A business double by a weak responder of a suit bid on the left would be unlikely, so this double is for takeout. When responder has shown some strength and the next hand butts into the bidding, a double by either partner is for penalties: South West North East 1D Pass 1S/2C 2D Dbl - business South West North East 1D Pass 1S/2C 2D Pass Pass Dbl - business When an Artificial Response is Doubled -- When a 1H response is doubled: South West North East 1D Pass 1H Dbl With a 16-17 HCP notrump hand, South passes and North can pass, redouble (with nothing in hearts), bid 1NT (with something in hearts) or, if afraid of notrump, bid a five-card or longer suit. The redouble lets opener bid the notrump when responder has nothing in hearts. With an 18-20 HCP notrump hand, South rebids 1NT instead of passing. With a diamond-type opening, South makes a natural rebid. In the unlikely event that hearts is his second suit, he redoubles. Responder can pass the redouble or take it out, knowing that opener probably has just four cards in the suit. A 2H rebid by opener is a cue bid, showing a huge hand with short hearts. A 2C rebid is natural here, since opener can redouble to show hearts. -- When a 1S response is doubled: South West North East 1D Pass 1S Dbl With a 16-17 HCP notrump hand (or 18 HCP and no spade stopper), South passes. North must then redouble (any other call gets in the way), whereupon South will rebid 1NT and the auction proceeds normally. With an 18-20 HCP notrump hand and spades stopped, South rebids 1NT freely over the double. With a 19-20 HCP hand that has no spade stopper, opener passes first and then bids 2S (forcing to game) after responder redoubles. Common sense bidding follows until game is reached. With a diamond opening, South makes a natural rebid, redoubling if the rebid would be in spades. An immediate cue bid of 2S over the double shows a big hand with short spades, game forcing. -- When a 2C response (forcing to game) is doubled: South West North East 1D Pass 2C Dbl With a notrump hand, South passes. North must then redouble (any other call gets in the way), whereupon South will rebid 2NT or 3NT (with clubs stopped) or 3C (with no club stopper). After this delayed 3C rebid, common sense bidding follows until game is reached. With a diamond opening, South makes a natural rebid, redoubling if the rebid would be in clubs. An immediate cue bid of 3C over the double shows a three-suited hand with short clubs. When a Natural Response is Doubled South West North East 1D Pass 2D/2H/2S Dbl This is presumably a takeout double. South redoubles with a notrump hand. With a diamond-type opening, South takes whatever action is appropriate, which is usually a pass or raise.