Standard English Bidding: The Uncontested Auction (1)

The 1NT opening and responses (including Stayman and transfers) 

• Requirements for a 1NT opening bid
• When to avoid a 1NT opening bid
• Responding on balanced and unbalanced hands
• The Stayman 2§ response and development of the auction
• Transfer responses

The opening bid of 1 of a suit 

• Opening balanced hands too strong for 1NT
• What values are needed to open? The Rule of 20
• Opening on two-suited hands - which suit to open
• How to open on 4-4-4-1 hands

The first response to partner’s opening bid of 1 of a suit 

• The negative response: “pass”
• Raising partner’s suit
• Responses in no trumps
• Responding in a new suit
• The jump shift response

Opener’s rebid 

• Rebidding on balanced hands
• Opener rebids his suit - simple and jump rebids
• Opener raises responder’s suit
• The rebid after opener’s suit is raised - trial bids
• Opener bids a new suit. The Reverse and other strong rebids

 Responder’s second bid (1) 

• Opener has rebid in no trumps
• Exploring the options - finding a major suit fit
• Opener has raised responder’s suit response
• Opener has rebid his suit - including jump rebids by opener

 Responder’s second bid (2) - Fourth Suit Forcing 

• Opener rebids a new suit
• Opener’s rebid is consistent with a minimum hand
• Responder makes a weak bid on the second round
• Responder makes an invitational rebid
• Responder can bid game
• Fourth Suit Forcing. Opener’s next bid after Fourth Suit Forcing
• Responder’s rebid when opener has shown extra strength