Reverse : Bridge Online
If a player shows two suits, the hand should be unbalanced. The first suit will, therefore, always promise at least 5 cards.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♣ |
This auction promises at least 5 diamonds and at least 4 clubs.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♥ |
This auction promises at least 5 diamonds and at least 4 hearts, but it also promises a strong hand of 16+ points. Why is this? To answer the question, let us look at the barrier principle.
Barrier Principle
Imagine that a barrier is created when an opening bid is made. This barrier is a natural raise of the opening suit.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♣ | P | 2♣ |
You opened 1♣, so the barrier is 2♣. After a 1♦ opening bid, the barrier is 2♦. After a 1♥ opening bid, the barrier is 2♥ and so on.
What is the point of this? The answer is that we use the barrier principle to show a certain type of hand, which is called a reverse.
If you have a strong balanced hand, depending on your system, you either open 1NT or rebid notrumps. If you have an unbalanced hand, and your second bid is above the barrier, you promise a strong hand. It is forcing for 1 round.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♣ | P |
This is not above the barrier, which is 2♦, so does not promise a strong hand.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♥ | P |
This is above the barrier, so does promise a strong hand.
Reverse - Bidding above the Barrier
16+
unbalanced hand
forcing for 1 round
Bidding above the barrier promises at least 16+ HCP. It also guarantees at least a 5-card suit, and 4-card suit. Let's look at a few examples.
| ♠ K2 | ||
| ♥ AJ65 | ||
| ♦ KQJT5 | ||
| ♣ K7 |
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♥ |
You would like to bid your heart suit wouldn't you. You can this time as you have more than 16 HCP, so you can afford to show both your suits.
It is very important to remember that this auction shows an unbalanced hand. It specifically guarantees 5 diamonds and 4 hearts. If you had a balanced hand with two 4-card suits, you would rebid notrumps.
| ♠ K2 | ||
| ♥ AJ65 | ||
| ♦ KQJT | ||
| ♣ A73 |
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2NT |
This is not the time to show both of your suits. It is more important to tell partner that you are balanced.
| ♠ K2 | ||
| ♥ JT65 | ||
| ♦ KQJT5 | ||
| ♣ K7 |
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♠ | P | |
| 2♦ |
Can you show the heart suit? No, you can't bid above the barrier. You have to rebid 2♦. You can't force partner to bid again, given that she may only have 6 HCP.
| South | West | North | East | |
| 1♦ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♥ |
The barrier principle does not apply here, as you have a fit with partner's suit. Bidding partner's suit is a limit bid, and partner is allowed to pass with a weak hand.
Responding to a Reverse
Reverses are forcing! You must bid at least once more.
Weak responses to a reverse
• Rebid own suit at a mimimum level
• Give simple preference to one of partner's suits
• Bid 2NT
• Rebid own suit at a mimimum level
| ♠ Q654 | ||
| ♥ K87654 | ||
| ♦ J6 | ||
| ♣ 9 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♣ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 2♥ |
When you have a weak hand as responder to a reverse, you have three options. With no fit for partner you can rebid your suit. On this hand you can rebid the 6-card major.
| ♠ J62 | ||
| ♥ K8762 | ||
| ♦ Q6 | ||
| ♣ 954 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♣ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 3♣ |
This time you have a known we have an 8-card fit in clubs (Partner must have 5 clubs to reverse). It is good that partner has a strong hand, as we are forced to the 3-level.
| ♠ KT63 | ||
| ♥ KT76 | ||
| ♦ J62 | ||
| ♣ 95 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♣ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 2NT |
2NT is also a weak bid. We have the other two suits covered, so it best describes our hand.
Strong responses to a reverse
• Bid game in notrumps
• Jump in your suit
• Bid game in partner's suit
• Bid game in notrumps
| ♠ KT63 | ||
| ♥ KQ76 | ||
| ♦ J62 | ||
| ♣ Q5 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♣ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 3NT |
If you are not weak, then it's up to you to indicate your extra strength. 3NT seems the best option here. You have spades covered.
| ♠ KT63 | ||
| ♥ KQ7643 | ||
| ♦ J6 | ||
| ♣ 5 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♣ | P | 1♥ | P | |
| 2♦ | P | 3♥ |
If you jump in hearts, you promise a good 6-card suit. This is forcing because you skipped a level.
| ♠ KT63 | ||
| ♥ Q3 | ||
| ♦ KQ7632 | ||
| ♣ 5 |
| North | East | South | West | |
| 1♥ | P | 2♦ | P | |
| 2♠ | P | 4♠ |
You have a good fit, a great side suit and a singleton. What more do you want?