Reverse Bidding

A so-called reverse bid has the following characteristics

1. Opener's first suit must be minimum of 5 cards with 16+ points. The points can be shaded if opener's second suit is also a 5 card suit.

2.Opener's rebid must either be in a higher ranked suit at the 2 level (low level reverse), or a lower ranked suit at the 3 level (high level reverse). Preference to partner's first suit has to be at the three level

3.A change of suit at the 1 level is not a reverse, nor is bidding a lower ranked suit at the 2 level. A simple raise of responder's suit is not a reverse. Be clear on the difference between a hand showing two suits, and a reverse hand

4. A high level reverse should show a minimum of 18 pts.(forcing to game)

5. Responder can make reverse responses, but these can show only an opening hand, but the first response suit is longer than the second

6. A jump re-bid by opener in the same suit shows a 6 card suit and a minimum of 16 pts. Not strictly a reverse.

7. Low level reverse bids are highly encouraging but not absolutely forcing to game.

8. With two 4-cards suits do not reverse but bid NTs to show the values. 4-4-4-1 hands may force you to make a "faux" reverse

Some examples:

(i)Opener 1, Responder1; opener 2 (a LLR)

(ii)Opener 1, Responder 2; opener 3(a HLR)

(iii)Opener 1, responder 1NT; opener 2 (a LLR but highly encouraging since responder is known not to hold 4 cards in hearts)

(iv)Opener 1, responder 1; opener 3. A reverse

(v) Opener 1, responder 1; opener 3 (a HLR, showing 6-5 distribution, game forcing and slam invitational)

(vi) Opener 1, responder 1; opener 3 (not a reverse but showing 6 cards in s & 16+ pts)

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