New Suit At 2 Level : Bridge Online
A point that is sometimes misunderstood about changing suit is that, while a new suit at the 2-level promises 10+ HCP, that doesn't mean you should jump to the 2-level to show your 10+.
If you do bid at the 2-level when you don't have to, it is called a jump shift and partner will think you have at least 16 HCP and a very strong suit of your own.
| ♠ K6 | ||
| ♥ AQ3 | ||
| ♦ QT9872 | ||
| ♣ A7 | ||
| ♠ | ♠ | |
| ♥ | ♥ | |
| ♦ | ♦ | |
| ♣ | ♣ | |
| ♠ AQ93 | ||
| ♥ J54 | ||
| ♦ A5 | ||
| ♣ J963 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ |
South's hand is strong enough to bid at the 2-level, but 1♠ is the correct response. A new suit at the 1-level shows 6+ HCP but it can be much stronger.
Any change of suit is forcing, so partner won't pass. You can show your strength with your second bid.
| ♠ K6 | ||
| ♥ AQ3 | ||
| ♦ QT9872 | ||
| ♣ A7 | ||
| ♠ 74 | ♠ JT852 | |
| ♥ T6 | ♥ K9872 | |
| ♦ KJ64 | ♦ 3 | |
| ♣ KQT52 | ♣ 84 | |
| ♠ AQ93 | ||
| ♥ J54 | ||
| ♦ A5 | ||
| ♣ J963 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 2NT | P | |
| 3NT | P | P | P |
You didn't find a fit, so now you choose the best game.
| ♠ 54 | ||
| ♥ A965 | ||
| ♦ K6543 | ||
| ♣ 65 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♠ | P | ? |
This type of hand can be a problem. You would like to bid your diamond suit but you don't have the 10+ that 2♦ would promise. You can't support partner's suit which would show 6-9 so you have to bid 1NT, promising the same HCP.
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♠ | P | 1NT |
The response of 1NT does not promise a balanced hand. It merely says that you have 6-9 HCP and no other bid to make.