Almost all beginners struggle when introduced to the strong reverse (opener’s rebid of two of a higher-ranking suit than his first suit). Even a simple auction such as 1C-1S-2H has subtle meanings that can be difficult to interpret. Then there are all the variations where opener’s rebid sounds like a strong reverse, but sometimes isn’t.
How much strength would you expect partner to hold in these auctions?
Partner RHO You LHO
(1) 1D Pass 1H Pass 1S Pass 1NT Pass 2S
(2) 1H Pass 2D Pass 2S
(3) 1C 1S DBL Pass 2D
(4) 1C Pass 1S 2D 2H
(1) Partner is showing a minimum opener. Although he's bidding a higher-ranking suit at the two-level, there’s no such thing as a “delayed” strong reverse. 2S suggests extra playing strength, but it can’t be forcing because partner already limited his hand with his 1S rebid. This is how he would describe a 5-6 hand such as ♠KJ1075 ♥6 ♦AQJ763 ♣3 .
(2) Many 2-over-1 players treat 2S as just a spade suit, not a strong reverse. The reasoning is that after your 2D response, all rebids are already forcing to game, so there’s no need for opener to show extra values.
That’s a popular but not a universal agreement. Other pairs believe that two-over-one bidding is most accurate if opener has ways to describe his strength along with his pattern. They play this 2S rebid shows more than a minimum opener (a good 15+ points). They also treat opener’s 3C bid as a high-level reverse that promises extra values.
There are good arguments for both approaches, but you can’t assume either one until you discuss it with partner.
(3) My preference is to treat partner’s 2D as a strong reverse, but this is another auction that requires an agreement. If you play that your double promises both unbid suits, then 2D is just a diamond raise that promises nothing extra.
Most pairs find it too restrictive to require length in both unbid suits. The more modern and flexible treatment is that this double shows just hearts. That means diamonds is an unbid suit, so opener’s 2D should show reversing values – the same meaning as if your RHO had passed and you had responded 1H.
(4) Is opener’s reverse rebid still strong and forcing after an opponent overcalls? Until a few months ago, I would have said absolutely.
However, when this auction appeared in the February “It’s Your Call” column, more than half of the expert panel chose a 2H rebid with ♠2 ♥KQ105 ♦74 ♣AQJ874 . Some accepted that this should still be a strong reverse, but thought this particular hand was worth a stretch. Others maintained that a reverse in competition can be lighter than normal, and that even if that’s not standard, it should be.
I haven’t yet decided if I agree with 2H rebid on (4), but I’m open to the idea. Bidding theory is always evolving, and like everyone who wants to improve, I’m still learning – and relearning – how to bid to better contracts.
© 2021 Karen Walker