A rebid by opener in response to a forcing 1NT follows these rules:

Rule 1. With 4+ of the other major, bid them.

Example: 1ª - 1NT* - 2©

Rule 2. With 6 of the original suit, rebid them at the two level or jump to three with an 18+ HCP hand.

Example: 1ª - 1NT* - 2ª

(Either is OK. We usually rebid the six card major first when also holding the other major.)

 

Rule 3. Bid 2NT with Notrump opener strength or bid 3NT with 19+.

Example: 1ª - 1NT* - 2NT

Rule 4. With none of the above,  bid the longer minor.

Example: 1ª - 1NT* - 2¨  or  1ª - 1NT* - 3§

This may be a three card suit, but remember, by this time, the hand is beginning to look like a misfit, and you need to find a safe harbor at a low level. With a strong hand, opener may jump in a long minor, but with caution ... responder may have the other minor.

Clarify, Please. Opener will, on his first rebid, clarify his hand ... a second four card suit, six of the original major, NT or the better/longer minor. The rebid by responder should then set the contract or invite opener to game.

Examples of opener's rebids:

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2ª	P	P	Six Spades in the North hand, so a good fit is found in the major this time.

North	South
ªKQxxxx	ª Jx
© Qxx	© KJxx
¨ Ax	¨ xxx
§ Jx	§ Qxxx

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1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2¨*	P	P	A fortunate fit at the 2 level.

North	South
ª KJxxx	ª x
© Qxx	© KJxx
¨ Axx	¨ Kxxx
§ Ax	§ Qxxx

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1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	2ª	A neat way to raise to two with only two trump but good values.

North	South
ª KQxxx	ª Jx
© xxxx	© KJx
¨ Ax	¨ Qxxx
§ AJ	§ Qxxx

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1©	P	1NT*	The Forcing 1 NT.
2§*	P	3§	A Club fit and an invitational South hand.
3NT	P	P	North accepts the invitation to game this time.

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1ª	P	1NT*	The Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	4©	A big fit in the other major. South has 11 points - just short of the Two Over One game force response strength.

(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved