Your partner has opened at the 1 level , which means – “Partner I have at least 4 of the suit bid and have 12 to 19 HCP”
Partner may have 19 points and with 6 in your hand “game” may be on , so you can’t just “leave them in 1 , as I have a rubbish hand”. Therefore :-
With as little as 6 HCP , you MUST respond !!
O
Remember Bridge is a partnership game
O
The Basics
Once the cards have been dealt :-
- Count up your HCP and
- Determine “the shape” of your hand – Balanced / Unbalanced
- Can I Open ? No ?
- Can I Respond with the points I have
- Do we have a “fit” , If No :-
Can I bid at the 1 Level
If you can then do so
Have I 10 or more points
You can bid at the 2 level ( 2 over 1)
Less than 10 Points
Consider bidding 1 NT – The dustbin Bid
Balanced Responses :-
- 6-9 Points – 1NT
- 10-12 Points – 2NT
- 13+ Points – 3NT