Limit Raise

Our system uses Limit Raises in the major suits when there is a 3+ card fit with opener's suit, e.g., [1© - P - 3© . . .].

We don't use Limit Raises in the Minors, as we use Inverted Minor responses.

Strength and Distribution. This is a common duplicate bid -- a direct raise to 3 over an opening bid of 1© or 1ª promises 9-11 HCP and four trump or three trump plus a singleton.  With three trump and no singleton, Forcing No-trump is bid first and a limit raise is made on the second round.  Opener will then bid game or pass, with rare exceptions.

Examples of Limit Raise bids:

N	E	S
1©	P	1NT*	The Forcing 1 NT .
2¨*	P	3©	The Limit Raise without a singleton.
4©	P	P	Opener carries on to game. Without the ª K, North should pass.

North Hand	South Hand
ª KQx	ª xxx
© AKQxx	© Jxx
¨ xxx	¨ Kxx
§ Jx	§ AQxx

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A Limit Raise is not forcing. With a 12 point opener and no shape, opener may pass.

N	E	S
1©	P	1NT*	The Forcing 1 NT
2¨*	P	3©	The Limit Raise without a singleton.
P	P	P	With a flat minimum, North should pass.