PART 10 (The 1-2 Auction )
Almost all pairs who use 2/1 GF, include 1-2. As usual in this series, we treat it as 100% GF.

The 2 response is "natural," but as we've seen in previous months, it could easily be only a 4-card suit. For example, partner opens 1 and you hold:

A32
642
A42
AQJ3

I would proudly respond 2.

What if responder has a 4-card major and clubs?

With GF strength, and 5 clubs and a 4-card major, I definitely recommend starting with 2. So, with either of these hands:

A 6 5 4
6 5
A 2
A K 7 6 4
or 8
A J 7 6
A Q 2
K Q 10 8 7
, I recommend a 2 response to 1. There will be plenty of time to find a 4-4 major fit if one exists.

I even like to respond 2 with 4-4 in the major and clubs. This goes against mainstream thinking, but I find the 2/1 auction is much better than starting with 1-of-a-major and having to later go through fourth-suit forcing. So, I would respond 2 to 1 with: K 8 7 6
A 2
A 7 6
A Q J 9
. But, with a good 4-card major and so-so clubs, I would respond in the major.

Opener's rebid

After 1-2, opener bids naturally. If you've been reading this series, it won't surprise you to hear me say that opener bids out his shape--nothing says anything about strength. There are a few partnership rules I like to use:

1) With 5+ diamonds, opener's rebid is always 2 (except for jumping to 3 with a solid 6+ card suit).
2) Without 5+ diamonds, opener's next obligation is to show a four-card major(s) up-the-line.
3) Without 5+ diamonds and without a 4-card major, opener usually bids 2NT. (He can also raise clubs if 2NT doesn't appeal).

Example rebids for opener after 1-2:

A) A 2
A Q 6 5
K J 7 6 5
6 4
: Rebid 2 with 5+ (responder will bid hearts next if he has 4).
B) K 5 4
K J 6 5
J 10 8 7
A 4
: Rebid 2. This is not considered a "reverse showing extras."
C) K J 4
Q 8 7
A J 8 7
Q 7 6
: Rebid 2NT (typically a weak notrump with no 4-card major, no 5+ diamonds)
D) A Q 4
7 6
A Q 5 4
J 9 4 2
: Rebid 3 (Partner can explore for 3NT; if he bids 3, you will bid 3NT)

Responder's Rebid

You know what I'm going to say. Natural! Each player bids naturally (using guidelines as above) until a suitable trump fit (or notrump) is found. Then and only then, if a player has extras, can he head for slam. In all of these 2/1 auctions, the mantra should be: "Game before slam." (This means, try to find the trump suit and then the right game as the main priority). Don't worry about slam (or showing extras) until you know in which suit (or notrump) you are playing.

QUIZ

What should you respond to partner's 1 with:

A) K J 8 7 6 A Q
8 6 5
A Q 2
B) A K Q 6
A 3
Q J 2
9 8 7 2

C) A Q J 4
K 6 2
9
A Q J 8 2

D) A 5 3
K 8 5
A K
Q J 8 4 2

Answers:A) 1. Don't distort. We don't "psyche" a 2/1 just to get into a GF auction. Here, 1 is normal with 5 cards.

B) 1. While 2 is possible, (I love 2/1 auctions), with such good spades and poor clubs, this feels best.
C) 2. With 5 and only 4, definitely starting with 2 leads to the best auctions.
D) 2. No rush to bid notrump. You might belong in 6, opposite, say: K 4
Q J 2
8 7 6 4 2
A K 3

What should opener rebid after 1-2 with:

F) AK65 AK2 A932 76

G) K Q 9 K J 7 6 A 8 7 2 3 2

H) Q 10 9 8
J 7
K J 8 7
2 A Q
I) Q J 4
Q J 4
Q J 8 7
K Q 2

Answers:

F) 2. Show the 4-card major (denying 5+ diamonds). You can look for slam later (after a fit is found).
G) 2. Show the 4-card major (denying 5+ diamonds). This could be (and is) a dead minimum.
H) 2. First priority is to show 5+ diamonds. Partner will bid a major next if he has four.
I) 2NT. Denying 5+ diamonds and denying a 4-card major (so, usually 3=3=4=3).

What should responder rebid after 1-2-2 with:

J) A K 6 5 K 2 3 2 A K 7 6 4

K) K Q
J 7 6
A
K Q J 10 9 3 2

L) A Q
8 7
K J 8 7
A Q J 7 6
M) Q J 4
Q J 4
8 7
A K Q 4 2

Answers:

J) 2. Show that 4-card major. Partner could easily have four himself. No rush to bid notrump or to jump.
K) 3. Naturally.
L) 3. We might be heading to 6, but for now, let's just tell partner about our support.
M) 2NT. You might want to discuss with your partner what this means as opposed to 3NT. (Some play that a jump to 3NT is a dead minimum/fast arrival. Others play that jumps to specifically 3NT show medium/extras.) There are a few topics such as this that won't be specifically covered in this 12-part series.

Next month :

Responder's second bid in all 2/1 GF auctions

Larry's 2/1 Workbook

BMS 2/1 Webinars by Michael Berkowitz