This article accompanies the quiz 'Rebid NT as Opener'

As mentioned in the earlier article about Rebids, rebid is the name used for a second bid and shows the points range held by opener and responder. It  gives a clearer picture of what their hand looks like. In this article we’re looking at No Trump Rebids by the opener.

When the opener bids NT on their first or second bid, they’re showing a balanced hand. The possible point ranges for the opener are as follows: 12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-22, 23+.

1)  To show a balanced hand with 12-14:

• Open 1 in suit and if partner (responder) bids a suit at the 1 level, showing 6+ points, you should Rebid 1NT:

Here, opener shows a balanced hand with 12-14 points.

• Open 1 in suit, and if partner (responder) bids a suit at the 2 level, showing 10+ points (or 13+ if playing 2 over 1), then rebid 2NT:

Here, opener shows a balanced hand with 12-14 points (if play 2 over 1 - can agree that 2NT might also be stronger).

2) To show a balanced hand with 15-17 points - Open 1NT.

3) To show a balanced hand with 18-19 points:

a. Open 1 in a suit and if partner bids a suit at the 1 level – Rebid 2NT:

Here, opener shows a balanced hand with 18-19 points.

• Open 1 in a suit, and if partner changes suit at the 2 level – Rebid 3NT:

Here, opener shows a balanced hand with 18-19 points.

4) To show a balanced hand with 20-22 points - Open 2NT.

5) To show a balanced hand with 23+ points, open 2♣, then rebid NT next time round.

There is 1 exception:

When opener opens 1♣/♦, partner changes suit at the 1 level and opener rebids 3NT, it shows a solid minor suit and an unbalanced hand; with the same shape as rebidding the suit at the 3 level (3♣/♦, showing 6 cards and 15-17 points), but with a stronger/longer hand:

Here, opener shows a strong hand with a solid Diamond suit (not wanting to rebid 4♦ as it might be better to stop in 3NT). Rebidding 3♦ would show 15-17 points and the responder might pass with a minimum hand.

In other words:

1. When responder changes suit at the 1 level and then opener rebids 1NT they’re showing 12-14 points (and a balanced hand) and 2NT shows 18-19 (balanced).
2. When responder changes suit at the 2 level and then opener rebids 2NT they’re showing 12-14 points (and a balanced hand) and 3NT shows 18-19 (balanced).
3. When responder passes the 1 level suit opening (showing 0-5 points) and bidding goes on, then 1NT rebid by opener shows 18-19 points (with a stopper in opponent's suit). There’s no reason to jump, as responder could be very weak given they did not respond to the opening bid:

Here, opener shows 18-19 points with a stopper in ♥.

Important note

These rules apply even when opponents enter the bidding. The height of the NT rebid by the opener is only related to responder's bid (i.e. if the responder bid a suit at the 1 or 2 level). It’s not related to the opponent's bid.

But, when bidding NT after your opponent's overcall, you must have a stopper(s) in opponent's bidden suit:

Opener’s 1NT rebid shows 12-14 points, a balanced hand and at least 1 stopper in ♠. Note that without a stopper, the opener may Pass (as bidding will return to the responder), Double (a support double, with 3 cards in ♥), or rebid their suit with 5+ cards.

2NT here shows opener has 18-19 points, a balanced hand and a stopper in ♠.

Have a go at putting this into practice

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.