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Beginner Bridge - Acol Lesson 4

Responding to your partners "Opening"("responder bids")

In a bridge game it isn’t always possible to support your partners opening bid. Sometimes you have to explore for a better fit. (A fit means that you have 8 trumps between you).

If you bid in a new suit this is forcing on your partner to keep bidding going (a "forcing" bid) for one round. You promise at least 4 cards in the suit you bid.

If you bid a new suit at the 1-level this shows your partner you have at least 6 HCP.

Usually you keep the bidding as low as you can to leave more room to explore for a suit fit.

Bid a suit at the 1-level if possible (6 HCP)

Bid 1NT to show you have no 4 card Major
and 6-9 HCP

To bid at the 2-level, you need 10 HCP

Example: Partner opens 1 ♥ and you have the hands below.

Hand 1.

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 8 2
♥ 10 2
♦ A 6 5
♣ A 10 7 6

Your Bid
Bid 1♠. Keep the bidding as low as possible when changing suit and be prepared to bid again as this is a good hand

Hand 2.

Your Hand
♠ 9 8 2
♥ 10 2
♦ A 6 5
♣ Q 10 7 6 3

Your Bid
1NT (No Trump) is the best bid,
as you dont have a very strong hand (only 2 honor cards)

Hand 3.

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 2
♥ Q 2
♦ A 6 5
♣ A 10 7 6 5

Your Bid
Now you can bid 2♣, as you have
enough HCP to bid at the 2- level

Rounded Rectangular Callout: Keep the bidding as low as possible when you are changing suit.

Beginner Bridge - Acol Lesson 4

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Beginner Bridge - Acol Lesson 4

Responding to your partners "Opening"("responder bids")

Bid a suit at the 1-level if possible (6 HCP)

Bid 1NT to show you have no 4 card Majorand 6-9 HCP

To bid at the 2-level, you need 10 HCP

Example: Partner opens 1 ♥ and you have the hands below.

Acol Bridge Lessons

Bid 1NT to show you have no 4 card Major
and 6-9 HCP