Best Major

Opener Responder
?  
1!c
Strong. 15+ NT or 16+ unbal
1!d
Multi. 11–16. 6+!h/!s or 5!h/!s, 4+!c!d or 5+!s-5+!h.
Pass
Possible. Doesn’t promise diamonds but usually have them.
1!h
“Forcing NT” relay.
1!s
5+!s.
Pass
Possible, but opener could have max and shape.
1NT
Relay. GF or “take-out”.
2!c!d
Natural. Relay asks to pattern out.
2!h
7!s, 10–12. 2NT asks shortness.
2!s
6!s, 11–13. 2NT asks shortness.
2NT
6+!s and 4m, 15–16.
3!c
Pass/correct.
3!d
Relay.
3!h
Clubs.
3!s
Diamonds.
3!s
To play.
3!c!d
6-5, nice hand. 3!h sets spades.
2!c!d
Non-forcing.
2!h
INV raise.
2!s
Constructive raise.
2NT
INV without support.
1NT
5+!h, 4+!d.
2!c
INV+ relay.
2!d
Minimum. 2!s asks to pattern out.
2!h
Max. 2!s asks to pattern out.
2!d!h
Preference.
Other
Natural, GF.
2!c
5+!h, 4+!c.
2!d
INV+ relay.
2!h
Minimum. 2!s asks to pattern out.
2!s+
Maximum, patterns out.
2!h
Preference.
Other
Natural, GF.
2!d
At least 5-5 majors.
2!h!s
To play.
2NT
GF, asks shortness.
3!h!s
INV.
4!h!s
To play.
2!h
6+!h, 14–16. 2NT asks shortness.
2!s
6+!s, 14–16. 2NT asks shortness.
2NT
6+!h and 4m, 15–16.
3!c
Pass/correct.
3!d
Relay.
3!h
Clubs.
3!s
Diamonds.
3!h
To play.
3!c!d
6-5 hearts and minor, nice hand. 3!s sets hearts.
3NT
Solid or semi-solid spade suit (like 3NT opening).
1!s
5+!h, F1.
1NT
6+!s. No heart support.
2!c
Constructive or slam try.
2!d
Extras.
2!s
Non-forcing, but constructive.
Other
GF.
2!h
Minimum, 2!h.
2!s
Minimum. 0–1!h.
2NT
Max, 6-4 hand type.
3!c!d!h
Max + shortness.
2!d
Spades game INV.
2!h
Weak.
2!s
To play.
2!c!d
5+!s, 4+m. No heart support.
2!h
3!h, min.
2NT
3!h, max.
3!c!d
Usually 6-5. Spades + minor.
3!h
I have 5!h but minimum.
3NT
Solid or semi-solid spades, like 3NT opening.
Higher
5!h + shortness. Note that 3!s shows shortness!
1NT
5+!s, F1.
2!c!d
5+!h, 4+m. No spade support.
2!h
6+!h, 14–16. No spade support.
2!s
3!s, min.
2NT
3!s, max.
3!c!d
Usually 6-5. Hearts + minor.
3!h
Max, 7+!h.
3!s
I have 5!s, but minimum.
Higher
5!s + shortness.
2!c!d
Constructive but non-forcing.
2!h
Pass/correct. Usually 2+ cards in both majors.
2!s
GI with 3+ majors. Not forcing.
2NT
GF with 6+!c. Doesn’t want to relay.
3!c
8+ fit.
3!h!s
Good 6+ suit. Could have support.
3NT
No fit.
3!c
GF with 6+!d. Doesn’t want to relay.
3!d
8+ fit.
3!h!s
Good 6+ suit. Could have support.
3NT
No fit.
3!d
COG with 2+ both majors.
3!h!s
Five card suit.
3NT
Slam interest with 6+ major.
4!c
6+!h. Wants responder to declare.
4!d
Last Train.
4!d
6+!s. Wants responder to declare.
4!h
Last Train.
4!h!s
To play.
3!h!s
Pass/correct.
3NT
To play.
4!c
Transfer to your major.
4!d
Bid your major.
1!h
11–14 NT with 3–4!h or 4!h unbal, 11–16.
1!s
Natural, F1.
1NT
11–14 NT. XY checkback.
2!c!d
Canapé.
2!h
Unbalanced raise.
2NT
Relay.
3!c!d
Natural min.
3!h
Max with clubs.
3!s
Max with diamonds.
2!s
Balanced raise.
2NT
5+ support.
3!c!d
6+m and 4!h, max.
1NT
Natural, NF.
Pass
The balanced hand.
2!c!d
Canapé.
2!h
Spades canapé.
2!s
6+!s and 4!h, extras.
3!c!d
6+m and 4!h, max.
2!c
Relay, could be INV vs balanced hand.
2!d
5+!c or any 5440.
2!h
Relay.
2!s
5440.
2NT
Relay.
3!c
Void clubs.
3!d
Relay.
3!h
5!d
3!s
5!s
3!d
Void diamonds, 5!c.
3!h
Void diamonds, 5!s.
3!s
Void spades, 5!c.
3NT
Void spades, 5!d.
2NT+
5+!c, patterns out.
2!h
5+!d. 2!s asks to pattern out.
2!s
Balanced hand.
2NT
INV.
3X
Can you support this suit?
3NT
To play.
2NT+
5+!s, pattern out.
2!d
4+ raise, INV+.
2!h
Minimum, usually balanced.
2!s
Canapé.
2NT
Max balanced with 3!h.
3!c!d
Canapé.
3!h
Max balanced with 4!h.
2!h
4+ raise, simple raise. New suit canapé and max.
2!s
INV.
2NT
GF with 5+!h and some shortness.
3!c!d
INV.
3!h
Limit raise with 5!h.
1!s
11–14 NT with 3–4!s or 4!s unbal, 11–16.
1NT
Natural NF.
Pass
The balanced hand.
2!c!d!h
Canapé.
3!c!d!h
6+ suit and 4!s, max.
2!c

Relay, could be INV vs balanced hand.

Same principles as after 1!h–2!c.

2!d
Weak/GF with 6+!h or INV+ with 5!h.
2!h
The normal bid, may have heart void!
2!s
Waiting, GF.
2NT
INV with 5!h.
Higher
Natural GF. 3!s shows four card support.
2NT
Super-accept, usually 5431.
3!c!d
Good 6+m and 4!s, max.
2!h
4+ raise, INV+.
2!s
Minimum, usually balanced.
2NT
Max balanced with 3!s.
3!c!d!h
Canapé.
3!s
Max balanced with 4!s.
2!s
4+ raise, simple raise. New suit canapé and max.
2NT
GF with 5+!s and some shortness.
3!c!d!h
INV.
3!s
Limit raise with 5!s.
1NT
10–14 NT with five card major.
2!c
Asks suit and strength.
2!d
Min !h. New suit natural GF.
2!h
Min !s. New suit natural GF.
2!s
Max !h. New suit natural GF.
2NT
Max !s. New suit natural GF.
2!d
I have a 5+ major.
2!h!s
I guess this is your major.
Pass
Correct, and I have a weak hand.
2NT
Correct, and I like to INV game.
3!c
Correct, and I have a five card minor.
3!d
Which is it?
3!h
Clubs.
3!s
Diamonds.
3!d
Wrong! We should at least play game.
3!h
Relay.
New
Shortness.
3NT
Cue bid time!
4M
To play.
3M
Correct, and I like to INV game.
3OM
Wrong! I like to play here because I’m broke.
3NT
Correct, and this is a COG.
4!c!d
Correct, this is a splinter.
4OM
Correct, this is a splinter.
4M
Correct, this is to play.
2!h
Pass/correct.
2!s
Transfer to clubs. Bid it if you like it.
2NT
Transfer to diamonds. Bid it if you like it.
3!c
GF 5-5 minors.
3!d
INV with support for both majors.
3!h!s
Splinter, 3OM and 5-4 minors.
3NT
To play.
4!c
Transfer to your suit.
4!d
Bid your suit.
4!h!s
To play.
2!c
6+!c or 5!c and 4!d, 11–15. No major.
2!d
6+!d or 5!d and 4!c, 11–15. No major.
2!h
6(+)!h, 10–13.
2!s
Weak.
2NT
12–15, 5-5 minors
3X
Preempt, 6+ suit.
3NT
Solid or semi-solid heart suit, 8–9 playing tricks.
4!c
RKC.
4!d
Slam try.
4!h
To play.
4X
Preempt.
4NT
Preempt, both minors. Like 6-6, 7-5 or possibly 6-5. Not 6520.