Opener’s Rebid: Your Second Chance to Describe Your Hand
You’ve made your opening bid. Partner responded. Now what?
Your rebid is arguably the most important bid in the entire auction. It’s where you refine your initial description, clarify your strength, and guide the partnership toward the right contract. Mess it up, and you might end up in 3NT with 23 points or pass out 1NT sitting on a game.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about opener’s rebid.
Why Opener’s Rebid Matters More Than You Think
Here’s the thing about opening bids: they’re vague. When you open 1♥, you could have anywhere from 12 to 21 points. That’s a huge range. Your partner has no idea if you’re sitting on a balanced 12-count or a powerhouse 20-point hand ready to slam.
Your rebid narrows that range dramatically.
Think of it like this:
- Opening bid: “I have an opening hand”
- Rebid: “Here’s exactly what kind of opening hand”
The rebid tells partner three critical things:
- Your strength: Are you minimum (12-14), medium (15-17), or maximum (18+)?
- Your shape: Do you have a second suit? Extra length in your first suit? Balanced distribution?
- Your fit: Did you find an eight-card fit with partner?
Miss any of these messages, and you’re flying blind.
Minimum Rebids (12-14 Points): Keep It Simple
When you open with a minimum hand, your mission is simple: don’t lie about your strength. Partner is counting on you to stay in your lane.
The Classic Minimum Actions
Rebid Your Suit at the One-Level
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: ?
With six hearts and 12-14 points, just bid 2♥. This shows 12-15 points and six or more hearts. Simple. Non-forcing. Partner can pass with a weak hand.
Bid a New Suit at the One-Level
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: ?
If you have four spades, bid 1♠. This doesn’t promise extra values—it’s just showing shape. Any new suit by opener at the one-level shows 12-18 points (wide range, but that’s okay because you’re not jumping or reversing).
Raise Partner with Support
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: ?
With four hearts and 12-15 points, raise to 2♥. This shows a minimum opener with support. Partner knows to pass with a minimum response and push to game with extras.
Rebid 1NT with Balanced Minimum
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: ?
Holding 12-14 balanced points with no spade support and no good rebid? Try 1NT. This denies three spades, shows a balanced hand, and limits your strength. It’s often the least-worst option.
The Golden Rule of Minimum Rebids
Don’t make forcing bids unless you’re willing to bid again.
With a minimum opener, avoid:
- Jump shifts (forcing to game)
- Reverses (forcing and showing extras)
- Jump raises (invitational or better)
These bids promise more than you have. Keep it simple, stay low, and let partner know you’re on the weak end.
Medium Rebids (15-17 Points): Show Some Life
When you’re in the middle range, you want to invite game without forcing it. You have enough to be interested but not enough to insist.
Jump Rebids in Your Own Suit
You: 1♠ – Partner: 2♣ – You: ?
With 15-17 points and six good spades, jump to 3♠. This shows a six-card suit, 15-17 points, and invites game. Partner passes with a minimum (6-9 points) and bids game with extras.
Jump Raises of Partner’s Suit
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: ?
Four hearts and 16-18 points? Jump to 3♥. This is a limit raise by opener, showing good support and inviting game. The math works: partner needs about 8+ points for game, and you’ve got 16.
Rebid 2NT with Balanced 18-19
You: 1♠ – Partner: 2♣ – You: ?
With 18-19 balanced points, no spade length, and clubs stopped, rebid 2NT. This is very specific: exactly 18-19 HCP, balanced shape, and stoppers in unbid suits.
Note: Some play 2NT as 15-17. Discuss with your partner. The standard modern approach is 18-19.
The Reverse: Bidding a Higher Suit with Extras
You: 1♣ – Partner: 1♠ – You: ?
You hold: ♠ K3 ♥ AQJ95 ♦ A4 ♣ KJ82 (17 HCP)
Bid 2♥. This is a reverse—bidding a higher-ranking suit at the two-level, forcing partner to return to your first suit at the three-level. It promises 16+ points and is forcing for one round.
Reverses are powerful tools but require extras. Don’t reverse with 12 HCP.
Maximum Rebids (18+ Points): Slam the Gas
When you’ve got the goods, don’t hide them. Game is likely, and slam is possible.
Jump Shift: The Big Hammer
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: ?
With 19+ points and a good club suit, jump to 3♣. This jump shift is forcing to game and typically shows:
- 19+ points
- A good second suit (5+ cards, strong honors)
- Slam interest
It’s a control bid that says, “We’re bidding game minimum, probably slam.”
Jump to 3NT with 19-20 Balanced
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: ?
Holding a balanced 19-20, jump to 3NT. This is rare because you’d usually open 2NT with 20-21, but if you opened one of a minor planning to rebid notrump, 3NT shows this range.
Jump to Game in Partner’s Suit
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: ?
You hold: ♠ AQ95 ♥ AKJ1082 ♦ K3 ♣ 4 (18 HCP + great shape)
Jump to 4♠. With four-card support and a powerful hand (18+ in support, counting distribution), just bid the game. Why mess around?
Rebidding with a Fit: When You’ve Found Gold
Finding an eight-card fit is the holy grail of bidding. When partner bids your second suit or you have support for partner, everything changes.
Immediate Raises Show Strength
Single Raise = Minimum (12-15) You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 2♥
Shows four hearts, 12-15 points. Non-forcing.
Jump Raise = Invitational (16-18) You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 3♥
Shows four hearts, 16-18 points. Invites game.
Jump to Game = Strong (18+) You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 4♥
Shows four hearts, 18+ points (in support). “Let’s play game.”
When Partner Raises Your Suit
You: 1♥ – Partner: 2♥ – You: ?
Partner shows 6-9 points and three hearts. Now you decide:
- 12-15: Pass. Game needs 26 points; you don’t have it.
- 16-18: Invite with 3♥. Partner bids 4♥ with a maximum (8-9).
- 19+: Bid 4♥ yourself. Even if partner has 6, you’ve got game values.
The Delayed Raise: Showing Three-Card Support
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 2♠
This shows three spades and 12-15 points. With four, you’d raise immediately. The delayed raise tells partner you have exactly three trumps.
Rebidding Without a Fit: Navigation Mode
Sometimes partner responds, and you don’t have support. No worries. You’ve got options.
Rebid Your Suit with Six Cards
You: 1♠ – Partner: 2♣ – You: 2♠
Shows six spades, 12-15 points. This is your default rebid with a minimum and no fit.
Bid Notrump with Balanced Hands
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 1NT
Shows 12-14 balanced, no spade support. The workhorse rebid for balanced minimums.
Bid a Second Suit
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 2♣
Shows four clubs, 12-18 points. Non-forcing unless it’s a reverse.
The False Preference
You: 1♥ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 2♣ – Partner: 2♥
Partner prefers hearts (probably with two). This doesn’t show extras—just says, “I like hearts better than clubs.” You’re allowed to pass with a minimum.
Example Rebid Auctions: Putting It Together
Example 1: Minimum with Six Cards You hold: ♠ KQJ854 ♥ A3 ♦ 842 ♣ J5 (11 HCP)
You: 1♠ – Partner: 2♣ – You: 2♠
Simple rebid showing six spades and minimum values.
Example 2: Medium with Support You hold: ♠ A4 ♥ KQ85 ♦ AJ983 ♣ 72 (14 HCP + shape)
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 3♥
Jump raise showing four hearts and 16-18 support points (revalue with shortness).
Example 3: Maximum with Second Suit You hold: ♠ 3 ♥ AKJ5 ♦ AQ1084 ♣ KQ9 (19 HCP)
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 3♥
Jump shift showing 19+ points, forcing to game.
Example 4: The Reverse You hold: ♠ AJ4 ♥ 3 ♦ AQ1095 ♣ KJ82 (15 HCP)
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 2♣
Not a reverse (clubs are lower than diamonds). Shows 12-18, four clubs.
But with: ♠ AJ4 ♥ 3 ♦ KJ82 ♣ AQ1095 (15 HCP)
You: 1♣ – Partner: 1♥ – You: 2♦
This IS a reverse (diamonds are higher). Shows 16+ points, forcing.
Example 5: Balanced Minimum You hold: ♠ K4 ♥ AJ85 ♦ Q1094 ♣ J83 (12 HCP)
You: 1♦ – Partner: 1♠ – You: 1NT
Shows 12-14 balanced, no spade support. Partner can pass or invite.
Common Rebid Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Mistake #1: Reversing with a Minimum
Wrong: 1♣ – 1♠ – 2♥ with 12 HCP
You’ve just promised 16+ points. Partner will drive to game, and you’ll go down.
Fix: Rebid 1NT or 2♣ instead. Don’t reverse without the goods.
Mistake #2: Rebidding a Five-Card Suit
Wrong: 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♥ with only five hearts
Rebidding your suit at the two-level promises six cards (or a very strong five).
Fix: Bid 1NT, show a second suit, or support spades. Don’t lie about length.
Mistake #3: Jumping with a Minimum
Wrong: 1♠ – 2♣ – 3♠ with 12 HCP
Jump rebids promise 15-17. Partner will drive to game expecting more.
Fix: Just bid 2♠. Be honest about your strength.
Mistake #4: Passing a Forcing Bid
Wrong: 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♣ – 2♦ – Pass
When partner bids a new suit, it’s forcing. You must bid again.
Fix: Bid 2♥, 2NT, or support diamonds. Keep the auction alive.
Mistake #5: Rebidding 1NT with a Singleton
Wrong: 1♥ – 1♠ – 1NT with ♠ 3 ♥ AK854 ♦ Q104 ♣ J982
1NT promises balanced (or semi-balanced at worst).
Fix: Rebid 2♥ or bid 2♣. Show your shape.
Mistake #6: Underbidding with a Monster
Wrong: 1♦ – 1♠ – 2♦ with 19 HCP and six diamonds
You just told partner you have 12-15. They’ll pass with 7 points, missing game.
Fix: Jump to 3♦ or find another forcing bid. Don’t hide your strength.
The Bottom Line
Your rebid is where auctions get won or lost. Opening bids are easy—most hands play themselves. But the rebid requires judgment, discipline, and honesty.
Keep these principles in mind:
- Limit your hand quickly with minimum rebids
- Invite game when you’re in the middle (15-17)
- Force to game when you’ve got the power (18+)
- Prioritize showing fits over your own suit length
- Don’t lie about strength or shape
Master your rebids, and you’ll find yourself in better contracts, making more games, and avoiding disasters. The rebid isn’t glamorous, but it’s where real bridge players separate themselves from the field.
Now go forth and rebid with confidence.