The rebid is a crucial decision in a game of bridge. Once the initial bid is complete, it is common for the player who opened to bid again. But how do you choose the right rebid? One of the first things to understand is that when you open with a “one of a suit” bid, the opener is expected to bid again after their partner’s response.
This makes sense: if you open with 13 or more points, you don’t yet know exactly what your partner holds. They have at least 6 points, and even if their bid seems weak, it is still possible that your partnership could reach the 26 points needed for a game.
The four options for a rebid
If a pass isn’t an option, here are the four main rebid options available to you:
- Support your partner’s suit
- Rebid in no trump
- Rebid your own suit
- Bid a new suit
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Supporting your partner’s suit is usually the most logical choice, but only if you have at least four cards in that suit. You don’t want to support a suit with only three cards, except in an emergency.
Example hand for a rebid
Suppose you have the following hand:
You open with One Club (your longest suit), and your partner responds with One Heart. You are pleased to hear this, as you like this suit with four hearts. In this case, the most logical rebid would be Two Hearts. This shows your partner that you support their suit with a modest opening hand, indicating you are in the 13 to 15 point range.
Optimizing your play with balanced hands
In other cases, you may have a balanced hand. For example:
With a hand like this, you might be tempted to open with One No Trump, but with only two hearts, it is safer to open with One Diamond. If your partner responds in hearts, the ideal rebid could be One No Trump, as this keeps the bidding low while signaling to your partner that you have a balanced hand.
Knowing when to pass or push the bidding
Another critical point to understand is knowing when to pass. Sometimes, after your partner’s rebid, you will need to evaluate whether you have enough points to push the bidding towards a game. If, for example, your partner has responded with a weak hand, it may be better to pass rather than risk going too high.
Strong hand example
If you have a slightly stronger hand, like this one:
You open with One Heart, and if your partner responds in spades, you might consider rebidding with Two Hearts, thus showing that you have good support in hearts and are in the 16 to 18 point range. This sends a clear signal to your partner that you are ready to consider a game, or even a play contract.
The choice of the rebid is one of the most strategic moments in a game of bridge. Whether you decide to support your partner, rebid in no trump, or bid a new suit, each decision must be made based on the information you have. The rebid is never random; it must reflect both the strength of your hand and strategic communication with your partner. By mastering this step, you will significantly increase your chances of success in bridge.
