BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

North chose to open 1♣ on this hand and over partner’s 1♠ response, rebid 1NT. What action does he take when partner next rebids 2♥? I’M SURe that very, very few of my readers would be guilty of such abhorrent bidding, but any who did would be likely to compound the horror by jumping direct to 4♥ now. Such a bid would show a lack of attention to the significance of partner’s bid.

He has shown at least 5-4 in the majors, but with no more than 9HcPs and possibly as few as 5. With more than 9pts, he would surely have made an initial jump to 3♥, because remember that north has already shown a balanced 15-16 count.

In such situations, a simple rebid after 1nT is never forcing — or even invitational. It merely says: ‘I don’t fancy playing in nTs, please pass, or bid 2♠ ’.

Because north has ‘fixed’ himself into concealing his 4-card heart suit, he must of course show his support — but 3♥ is quite sufficient, leaving the final decision to partner.