Learn and Practice

This article accompanies the quizzes 'Rebid as Opener' and 'Rebid as Responder'

Rebids is the name used for a second bid and shows the points range held by opener and responder to give a clearer picture of what their hand looks like. To be totally clear; opener is the first player to bid and responder is the player who responds to the opener!

Opener and responder have minimum, medium, and maximum ranges as per the table below:

Showing minimum hands

To show you have a minimum hand you rebid either yours or partner's suit at the 2 level, or by rebidding 1NT. Here are some examples:

1♥ - 1♠
2♥ = opener's rebid shows 12-14 points with 6 cards in ♥

1♥ - 1♠
2♠ = opener's rebid shows 12-14 points with 5 cards in ♥ and 4 cards in ♠

1♥ - 1♠
1NT  = opener's rebid shows 12-14 points with 5 cards in ♥ and a balanced hand

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2♥ = responder's rebid shows 6-9 points with 6 cards in ♥

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2♠/♣ = responder's rebid shows 6-9 points with a ♠/♣ fit.

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 1NT = responder's rebid shows 6-9 points (or 10 with poor distribution) and no fit 

Showing medium hands

To show you have a medium hand you rebid either yours or partner's suit at the 3 level, or by rebidding 2NT as responder (or open 1NT as opener). Here are some examples:

1♥ - 1♠
3♥ = opener's rebid shows 15-17 points with 6 cards in ♥

1♥ - 1♠
3♠ = opener's rebid shows 15-17 points with 5 cards in ♥ and 4 cards in ♠

1NT  = opener's rebid shows 15-17 points and a balanced hand

Also note, that a new suit by opener, below the suit they originally bid (at the 1 or 2 level), shows 12-17 points. It could be either min (12-14) or med (15-17). The strength will be shown on the 3^rd bid (if it comes):

1♦ - 1♥
1♠ = opener's rebid shows 12-17 points (new suit below the 2♦ level)

1♦ - 1♥
2♣ = opener's rebid shows 12-17 points (new suit below the 2♦ level)

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 3♥ = responder's rebid shows 10-11(12 with poor distribution) with 6 cards in ♥

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 3♠/♣ = responder's rebid shows 10-11(12 with poor distribution) and a ♠/♣ fit.

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2NT = responder's rebid shows 11-12 points (10 with good distribution) and no fit 

Showing maximum hands

To show you have a maximum hand you rebid yours or partner's suit in either; a double jump, a jump shift, a reverse bid (as opener) , or by 4^th suit forcing or new minor forcing (as responder). Here are some examples:

1♥ - 1♠
3♣ = opener's rebid shows 18-21 points with 5 cards in ♥ and 4 cards in ♣ (jump shift)

1♥ - 1♠
4♠ = opener's rebid shows 18-21 points with 5 cards in ♥ and 4 cards in ♠

1♥ - 1♠
2NT  = opener's rebid shows 18-19 points with 5 cards in ♥ and a balanced hand

1♦ - 1♠
2♥ = Opener's rebid shows 17-21 points (16 with good distribution) and usually 5 cards in ♦ and 4 cards in ♥ (a reverse bid). Even though not a jump, by bidding a new suit at the 2 level above the first bidden suit shows strength, and is at least 1 round forcing to the responder. 

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 4♥ = responder's rebid shows 13-15 points with at least 6 cards in ♥

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 4♠ = responder's rebid shows 13-15 points with a ♠ fit.

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 3NT = responder's rebid shows 13-15 points with no fit

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2♦ = responder's rebid shows 13+ points and asks opener to describe their hand (4^th suit forcing)  

About the Author

Oren Lidor is considered one of the best bridge teachers in Israel, is the author of 5 bridge books, and teaches bridge to people from all over the world on BBO.