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This week's topic: Bidding Questions
The reverse: what is it, what does it take to make one, and why use them? These questions have come up lately at the club, so this seemed like a good topic for this week's discussion.
A reverse bid occurs when the bidder (opener or responder) bids a second suit that is of a higher rank than the first one bid. For example:
Opener Partner 1♣ 1♠ 2♥
Opener has reversed (yes, Joan, he did spin around). The significance of the bid is that partner must commit the partnership to the 3-level in order to return to opener's first suit, and, since bidding one spade only promised 6-9 HCP, opener needs extra points to push the bidding to the 3-level. What is the minimum point count required for a reverse? Most sources split on two possible choices: 16+ or 17+ HCP. You and your partner(s) will need to decide which of these to use.What's the maximum? If you use strong jump shifts of 19+, then the reverse would have an upper limit of 18.
A reverse by opener promises 5+ cards in the first suit and 4+ in the second. (Flannery was invented for hands with 5 hearts and 4 spades but less than 16 HCP.) Opener's reverse is forcing for one round but not to game. Responder needs to have 8+ "dummy" points and a fit with one of opener's suits to make game possible.
Responder can reverse, too, but the point count needed is less--an opening hand or better. Partnerships that play 4th suit forcing will need to decide how to play reverses into the 4th suit--as 10-11 HCP and a one-round force or as 12+ HCP and game-forcing. Examples:
Opener Partner 1♣ 1♦ 1♥ 1♠
1♠ is not a reverse because opener can return to any of the previously bid suits at the two-level or bid 1NT.
Opener Partner 1♦ 1♥ 2♣ 2♠
This is a reverse by responder, showing 12+ HCP and at least 5-4 in hearts and spades. It is forcing to game.
Why use reverse bids? They can take the strain out of bidding for someone with a good hand who wants to keep the bidding open without fear of being passed or having to guess whether to stop at game or slam. Take a look at this example.
North East South West 1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦ Pass 5♣ Pass Pass Pass
North South ♠K1095 ♠A ♥AJ1082 ♥KQ ♦A ♦K10963 ♣AJ3 ♣KQ1072
When this hand came up the other night, South was unsure whether the 2♠ bid showed anything extra, so over North's game bid South decided to accept the "closeout." Obviously, a grand slam is possible in hearts, clubs, or no trump. Both bidders held--and made--reverse bids in this sequence, so had they been in agreement on the bid's meaning, they would have reached a slam. (Yes, South could jump shift playing that as 16-18 HCP, but it's not the best bid with a two ragged suits.) A possible sequence is:
North South 1♥ 2♣ 2♠ 3♦ 4♣ 4NT (3014 Keycard for clubs) 5♣ (3 keycards) 7♣ or 7NT (depending on your faith in the hearts running)
Reverses require agreements and sticking to them, but they may pay off in your bidding in the long run. Take the time to discuss them with your favorite partner(s).
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