Spike's The Reverse Bid

The Reverse Bid by Spike Lay
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If you, the opener, after a one-over-one bid by partner, bid a new suit at the two level that forces partner to bid at the three level in order to take you back to your original suit, you have "reversed."

The following are examples of reverses:

Opener   Responder         Opener   Responder
1♦            1♠                    1♣       1♥
2♥                                    2♦

What does it mean when opener reverses? He must have a good hand, i.e. 17 or more points, 5 or more cards in his first suit, usually at least 4 cards in his second suit and his first suit must be longer than his second.

How about the following hands?

(1) AJx AKxx AQxxx x

(2) x AKJxx AQJxxx x

(3) x KQxx AKQxx Axx

(4) x AJxx AKQxxx Kx

All of the above hands are good enough to open 1♦ and rebid 2♥ over a 1♠ response by partner.

Now for some hands that aren’t quite good enough for a reverse.

(1) AJx AKxx J10xxx x

(2) x AJ10xx KQ10xxx x

(3) x KQxx AKxxx xxx

(4) x AJxx KQxxxx Qx

What do you do with these hands after opening 1♦ and hearing the dreaded 1♠ response? I would bid 2♠ with hand 1, 2♦ with hand 2, 1NT with 3 and 2♦ with 4. You might open 1♥ with hand 2.

What do you do with hands that have the strength for a reverse but lack the proper distribution, e.g. AJx AKxxx AQxx x? Open your longest suit and then jump shift into your second suit. Remember the rule: OPENER SHOULD NEVER FORCE A REVERSE BY OPENING HIS SHORTER SUIT.

Also remember, if you can reverse you don’t need to and should not jump shift.

For example, with x AKJx Ax AK109xx open 1♣ and rebid 2♥ over a 1♠. Don’t jump to 3♥.

Responding to a Reverse

There are different ideas about how to respond to a reverse. My methods are an amalgam of methods collected from different sources. In general, since a reverse usually promises a minimum or 17 or 18 points, if you as responder have 8 or more there probably is a game somewhere. With an opening hand – less if you have a good fit for one of opener’s suits – slam may be in the picture. Finally, if you have dredged up a response on 6 or 7 points (or less), and there is no fit there may be no game.

My preference is to have one - and only one - way to show the bad hands and possibly stop below game. All other bids after the reverse are game-forcing. Responder starts a weak sequence via the fourth suit if it is available at the two level; otherwise he uses 2NT. Let’s look at some examples:

Opener   Responder        Opener   Responder
   1♦           1♠                   1♣         1♥
   2♥           2NT                2♦          2♠

In the first example, 2NT starts a weak sequence and asks opener to rebid his first suit. Notice that the fourth suit (3♣) would have to be bid at the three level; therefore we use 2NT to start the weak sequence. Opener will dutifully rebid 3♦ unless (1) he has extra strength, (2) has 3-card spade support or (3) has 5 hearts.

Responder might have any of the following hands for his 2NT bid:

(a) Kxxx xxx Kxx xxx He will pass 3♦.

(b) Jxxxx Kxxx xx Jx He will bid 3♥ over 3♦.

(d) A9xx Qxx xx Kxxx He will bid 3NT over 3♦.

Note that 2NT (see example d above) doesn’t have to be a really bad hand; 2NT just announces weakness.

In the second example where the fourth suit is available at the two level, responder uses it to show weak hands:

Opener Responder
1♣ 1♥
2♦ 2♠

The system works about the same. Opener now has the option of bidding 2NT or 3♣ - either of which may be passed.

Responder with a good hand, i.e. game forcing or better makes his most descriptive bid – all of which are game forcing.

Opener   Responder
1♣            1♥
2♦             2♥, 2NT, 3♣, 3♦, 3♥ etc.

Anything is forcing except 2♠ - the fourth suit.

Getting into a game-forcing auction early allows the partnership to explore for the best game or slam.

Here are a few example hands and suggested sequences.

(1) KJx x AKxx AJ10xx Q98xx Kxx Jxx xx

1♣                                   1♠
2♦ (a)                              2♥ (4^th suit; artificial)
2♠ (b)                             Pass

(a) a little light for a reverse; looks better now that partner has responded 1♠.

(b) Opener doesn’t have to bid 3♦ here with 3-card support for responder’s major.

(2) AJx xx AKx AK10xx Q98xx Kxx Jxx xx

1♣                                   1♠
2♦                                   2♥ (4^th suit; artificial)
3♠ (a)                              4♠ (b)

(a) Too good to just bid 2♠.

(b) The fifth spade is enough; opener is showing a big hand with 3 spades.

(3) KJx x AKJx AKJxx AQ97xx 109x Qx 9x

1♣                                     1♠
2♦                                     2♠ (forcing to game)
4♥ (Splinter Bid)                 4NT
5♦ (3 key cards)                  6♠

We will be discussing reverses and related aspects for the next 2 weeks in our Thursday afternoon classes on April 28 and May 5.

Come a little early this Thursday and bid some practice hands with your partner using these principles.

(Posted April 25, 2005)

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