Inverted Minors
(a must with weak no trumps):
Standard:
The raise from 1 to 2 of a minor shows 4+ support and 6-9 hcp.
The raise from 1 to 3 is "usually" used as a limit raise showing 5+ support and 10-12 hcp. (Stronger raises
are made by bidding another suit and then jumping later-- even bidding a 3 card suit if strong enough.)
Inverted minors ideas: The auction 1C-p-2C-all pass is rare. Most people will balance the 2C with a takeout double or a suit bid. Also the double raise of a minor has always been troublesome. If the 1-3 is limit then if partner continues bidding the partnership may get too high, even at the four level. Say:
1C- p- 3C- p;
3D- p- 4C and now you can no longer play at 3NT.
Inverted minors (denies a 4 card major):
1-3 raise: The 1 to 3 raise is used to show a weak hand with a bad 9 or less with 5+ card support. Opener
only goes on with a strong hand (17+).
1-2 raise: The 1 to 2 raise is unlimited in hcp. Responder has 4+ support in the suit--- the final contract may
be in the minor or in NT. The bottom of the 2 raise is generally 9 hcp, but could be a good 7 or 8
(good = 6+ support). Opener must rebid (unless partner is a passed hand) descriptively:
3minor: weak hand with the minor
2NT: balanced--- 15-17 if you're playing weak NT or 11-15 if you're not
3NT: balanced 18-20
new suit: non-minimum hand with a control in the suit (this and partner's re-bid should probably be a
controlled suit and not necessarily a first round control)
4minor: strong hand with the minor--- it's probably better to play this as something else such as Blackwood
After opener makes their re-bid, responder must also re-bid descriptively:
pass: only the 3minor re-bid or the 11-15 balanced hand
3minor: minimum hand
2NT: showing a balanced hand
new suit: a control
4minor: strong unbalanced hand --- probably better to play as Blackwood
*NOTE: if either partner has made a non-minimum re-bid, the auction is GAME-
FORCING (at least to 3NT).
1-4/5 raise: these are preemptive, if you had a strong hand you should bid 2 of the minor IN
COMPETITION: less than 2 of the minor competition: if you can make 2 of the minor raise
then inverted minors are still on.
1C- 1H- 2C this shows a strong hand
1C- 1NT- 3C showing a weak hand with clubs
1D- 2C- 5D preemptive more than 2 of the minor competition:
the cue bid of their suit is strong
3 of the minor bid is about a limit raise jumps in the minor are preemptive
1D- 2S- 3D about a limit raise with 5+ diamonds
1C- 2D- 4C preemptive
1D- 2H- 3H strong hand more than 3 of the minor competition:
cue bid: very strong
4 of the minor: enough strength for the level jumps in the minor:
preemptive or to make double: penalty or negative depending agreement
1C- 3H- 4C enough strength for the 4 level
1C- 3S- 4S damn strong, probably slam-searching
1D- 4H- 5D enough strength for the 5 level
1D- 4C- 5D preemptive or to make
1D- 3H- dbl penalty or negative