Partnership

Expectations (great and otherwise)

Given the permutations of a pack of 52 cards, divided into four sets of 13, the concept of rules is less than useful. In their place, here is what the table — and particularly your partner — expects when you bid. The focus is on simple bids.

Reasons for bidding

To find the optimum contract for your side.
To exchange information that will be used in the course of play.
To pre-empt the opposition.

Opening bids

One of a suit

If you open with one of a suit, you are expected to have an opening hand. What that means is defined by your rebid. Partner expects:

at least 4 cards in the suit, and
a rebid. Hence the "rule" — don't open with a suit bid unless you have a rebid.

1NT or 2NT

Partner expects a specific point range and a balanced hand — no singletons or voids. Opener abdicates control of the bidding after such an opening; all subsequent bids are driven by responder (e.g. transfers).

Responses

Agreeing partner's suit: opener expects at least 4 cards in the suit and a specific point range — 6–9 for a single raise, 10–11 for a double raise.
Change of suit at the same level: opener expects 6+ points and at least 4 cards in the new suit. Raising the level shows 8+ points non-vul, 10+ vul.
If partner opens a minor and responder does not bid a major, opener expects fewer than 4 cards in both majors. ("Rule" — always show a 4-card major.)
If opener bids 1♥ and responder does not bid 1♠, opener expects fewer than 4 spades — same "rule".

Opener's rebids

Single raise of first suit: responder expects 5+ cards in that suit and fewer than 16 points.
Double raise of first suit: ditto, and 16+ points. Points include distribution here and below.
Single raise of responder's suit: at least 4 cards in the suit and fewer than 16 points.
Double raise of responder's suit: ditto, and 16+ points.
NT rebid: point range plus balanced hand — the same conditions as an NT opening.
Change of suit rebid: responder expects 5+ cards in the first suit bid.
Reverse (adjacent suits bid in reverse sequence) e.g. 1♥ – 2♣ – 2♠: same as above and 16+ points.

A cautionary example

Rules can be dangerous. One rule says to open with a seven-loser hand, where a loser is any missing A, K or Q in a suit of 3+ cards. Consider:

♠ —
♥ x
♦ x x x x x x
♣ x x x x x x

Seven losers — but hardly an opening hand. Judgement beats rules.

Key

M= Majors
m= Minors
NT= No Trump
s= suit
a= another suit
l= lower suit
x= Double
xx= Redouble