Some of the most awkward of all auctions are those where opener makes a strong reverse – a sequence such as 1C – 1S – 2D or 2H. Although this rebid shows extra strength, you’re bidding a suit responder has bypassed, so there’s a danger you won’t find a fit. That’s why it’s important that a reverse be made only with the right type of hand and under the right circumstances.
That’s also what makes this concept so difficult to teach and learn. There are many misconceptions about exactly what a reverse rebid is and when it should be used. Here are some common – and erroneous -- assumptions:
A reverse rebid is a convention ?
You may have heard “We don’t play reverses” after asking your opponents about their reverse rebid. That’s incorrect, of course, because they just made one. What they mean is they don’t play that it promises anything more than a minimum opener.
The confusion comes because the term “reverse” describes just the relationship of the second bid to the first; it doesn’t define the meaning. However, the standard meaning – extra values -- is not a convention or special agreement. It’s basic bridge, and although you can agree that it promises nothing extra, this will make some hands impossible to describe and will propel the auction too high with others.
A reverse isn’t as strong as a jump-shift ?
There is a difference – a jump-shift is forcing to game and a reverse is not – and some believe this justifies passing a reverse when you have a dead-minimum response.
It doesn't because the two rebids are not mutually exclusive regarding strength. The minimum for a reverse is around 17 high-card points (a bit less with 6-4 or 6-5 distribution), but it could be much more, which is why it’s absolutely forcing for one round.
Your choice between a reverse and a jump-shift depends not on strength but on the ranks of your two suits. A jump-shift is used when your longer suit is higher in rank than your second suit. With ♠5 ♥AKJ95 ♦AKQ6 ♣Q62 , for example, you open 1H, planning to rebid 3D. When the longer suit is lower in rank -- ♠5 ♥AKJ9 ♦AKQ65 ♣Q62 -- you open 1D and make a reverse rebid of 2H.You can make a reverse with equal length in your suits ?
Shortly after I was taught the basics of reverse rebids, I remember opening 1C with a strong hand that was 5-5 in the minors. When my partner/teacher asked why, I said it was so I could show my points by reversing into 2D. His reply was an eye roll and “I guess I didn’t cover everything.”
The important requirement he had left out was that a reverse guarantees that your first suit is longer than your second suit (5-4, 6-4 or 6-5 distribution). No exceptions. With equal length, you always open the higher-ranking suit, no matter what your strength.
The problem hand is one that has extra values, but not enough for a game-forcing jump-shift. With ♠J ♥KQ ♦KJ973 ♣AK842 , you have to open 1D and rebid 2C, trusting that partner will keep the auction open if he has the 9+ points you need for a game.
This is one of several bidding strategies that help you avoid reversing with the wrong type of hand. Others include some that are considered standard and some that reflect a more modern approach to solving these problems. More about these in the next issue.
© 2020 Karen Walker