A Passed Hand Partner


What do we play when partner opens a major in either 3rd or 4th seat?  That's certainly a question with no simple answer.   It depends, right?

The first question to ask yourself is whether you like the opening bid or not, and the second question is whether you have a hand with enough values that you want to bid.

Let's explore some possible responses.

Can I Pass?
    One of the strong points of a Club system is the knowledge that partner has at most 15 points when she opens a major.  You don't have to keep the bidding open just because you have 6 points.  With a poor fit and 8 or 9 points you are under no obligation to bid.
Should I Pass?
    If you pass it will be easier for the opponents to compete, so there is a justification for bidding.  On the other hand, perhaps you would prefer to defend and don't mind that the other side bids.
Drury With Support?
    When the Drury convention was first proposed it was an Asking bid, but it's probably better to use it as a Informational bid with a Club system.  Click here for a full discussion of our modified responses of either 2 or 2 which show support.   Drury 
How About a Mini-Splinter!
    With most hands where you have either three or four card support it's probably a good idea to use Drury, but a noteable exception is a hand with about 8-11 points and 4-card support with a singleton or void.  That's a great hand and might make game.  Use a Mini-Splinter which is a single jump shift into your short suit.
1 -- 1 Response
    Again, some things simply stay the same.  The spade bid is non-forcing and shows four or more spades.  If you have a two-suited hand, you can bid your second suit next.
1 -- 2 Response
    Our agreement is that after you pass and your partner opens with a major, a jump response shows a Mini-Splinter.  You have a singleton or void in spades and at least 4-card support.  You also promise about 8-11 points.
1 -- 2 Response
    Your choice.  To avoid another convention you might decide it is a non-forcing bid that shows a 5-card suit and poor spade support.

    Or...   You could agree that it shows hearts and an undisclosed minor without spade support.  Partner can ask about the minor by bidding 3 which is a Pass or Correct bid.  (Opener's rebid of 2NT is natural.)  If you use this agreement and the 2NT response described below, you can show all two-suited hands with poor support and let Drury take care of the hands where you do have support.  Although this is an excellent method, you probably shouldn't play it - It would occur only infrequently and it's easy to forget!
1NT Response
    You show a balanced hand with about 7-10 points and not very good support for your partner's major.
    Some things just have to stay the same.
2NT Response
    Hmmm... Isn't that an unusual bid?  Yes, and it means the same thing as when you bid it over an opponent's opening bid.  It's an Unusual Notrump and you have both minors with either zero or one of your partner's major.  Point count?  There are several variables here, and you should consider both the vulnerability and the quality/length of your minor suits before you commit to the three level.  A guideline would be 7-10 points.
Jump Raise
    Most partnerships today play this as a weak raise with at least 4-card support and good distributional values, but you and your partner can make other agreements.  The idea is to hope the Law of Total Tricks is working for you and you are safe at the three level with nine trump.  A weak jump raise makes it difficult for the opponents to enter the auction, but certainly less difficult to double for penalty.  You choose.





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