Responder’s Rebid: Your Second Call Defines the Hand

Your first response to partner’s opening bid starts the conversation. Your second bid—the responder rebid—often determines where you’re heading. Will you sign off in a partscore? Invite partner to game? Force to game? These decisions shape every auction, and getting them right separates average players from good ones.

The bridge responder rebid matters because you’ve already limited your hand somewhat with your first response. Now you need to narrow it further. Partner is listening carefully to your second call, trying to figure out if you have 6 points or 12, whether you like their suit or prefer your own, and most importantly—should they bid again or pass?

Let’s break down exactly how to handle your rebid as responder, covering everything from minimum hands to game-forcing sequences.

Understanding Your Role as Responder

When you first respond to partner’s opening bid, you typically show a wide range—anywhere from 6 to 18+ points depending on your bid. That’s a massive range, and partner needs more information.

Your rebid as responder serves three critical functions:

Narrow your point range. Partner needs to know if you have a minimum response (6-9 points), an invitational hand (10-12 points), or game-forcing values (13+ points). Your rebid clarifies this.

Show your distribution. Do you have a balanced hand? A second suit? Six cards in your first suit? Support for partner’s suit? Your rebid reveals your shape.

Set the contract level. Your rebid either signs off (telling partner to pass), invites game (asking partner to bid on with a maximum), or forces to game (guaranteeing you’ll reach game or higher).

The beauty of the responder rebid system is that it’s remarkably structured. Once you know the point ranges and what bids show what, you can describe almost any hand accurately.

Minimum Rebids (6-9 Points)

With a minimum response, your job is simple: find a safe landing spot and get out. You’ve already responded once, which means you have at least 6 points. But with only 6-9 points facing an opening bid, game is extremely unlikely unless partner has extras.

Rebidding 1NT

After responding at the one-level in a suit, rebidding 1NT shows 6-9 points and denies three-card support for opener’s second suit (if they bid one). This is your standard minimum rebid with a balanced hand.

Example auction:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♣, you rebid 2NT

Wait—that’s not 1NT! Right. You can’t bid 1NT when partner has already bid at the two-level. The principle is the same though: with 6-9 points and no fit, you bid notrump at the cheapest level available. Here, 2NT is actually your minimum rebid, showing 6-9 points (not the 11-12 points that 2NT would show if you jumped there directly).

Giving Preference

Giving preference means returning to partner’s first suit at the cheapest level. This is often your best option with a minimum hand and at least two cards in partner’s first suit.

Example:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♦, you bid 2♥

This preference bid shows 6-9 points and typically two hearts (sometimes three). You’re not showing heart support or enthusiasm—you’re simply choosing partner’s first suit over their second suit as the safest place to play.

Preference is extremely common and often misunderstood by newer players. You’re not raising hearts because you love them; you’re picking hearts because partner likely has five hearts and four diamonds, so hearts figures to be the better fit.

Rebidding Your Own Suit

Rebidding your suit at the cheapest level shows 6-9 points and a six-card suit (or occasionally a very good five-card suit).

Example:

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 1NT, you rebid 2♠

Your 2♠ rebid shows a minimum hand with six spades. Partner will usually pass unless they have a very strong hand or great spade support.

Passing Partner’s Rebid

Sometimes the best rebid is no rebid at all. If partner rebids a suit at the two-level and you have a minimum with no clear preference, passing is perfectly fine.

Example:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♣

With 6-9 points, two or three clubs, and no attractive alternative, pass. Partner has shown an unbalanced hand, and 2♣ might be your best spot.

Invitational Rebids (10-12 Points)

With 10-12 points opposite an opening bid, you’re in the invitational zone. Game is possible if partner has a maximum opening (16-18 points or a good 15), but not guaranteed if they have a minimum (12-14 points).

Your job is to invite game and let partner decide based on their strength.

Jump Preference

Jumping one level when giving preference shows 10-12 points and three-card support for partner’s first suit.

Example:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♣, you bid 3♥

Your 3♥ bid shows exactly this: 10-12 points, three hearts, and invitational values. Partner will pass with a minimum, bid 4♥ with a maximum.

Jump to 2NT

After responding at the one-level, jumping to 2NT shows 10-12 points and a balanced hand with stoppers in the unbid suits.

Example:

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♥
Partner rebids 1♠, you bid 2NT

This shows 10-12 HCP, denies four spades, and suggests stoppers in clubs and possibly diamonds. You’re inviting 3NT.

Jump Rebid in Your Suit

Jumping in your own suit shows 10-12 points and a six-card suit (or a very strong five-card suit).

Example:

Partner opens 1♣, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 1NT, you bid 3♠

Your jump to 3♠ shows invitational values with six spades. Partner will pass with a minimum and no spade fit, or bid 4♠ with a maximum or three-card spade support.

Raising Partner’s Second Suit

Raising partner’s second suit to the three-level shows 10-12 points and four-card support for their second suit.

Example:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♣, you bid 3♣

You’re showing 10-12 points with four or more clubs, inviting game. Partner will evaluate their hand in light of the club fit.

Game-Forcing Rebids (13+ Points)

With 13+ points facing an opening bid, game is virtually certain (you have at least 25 combined points). Your rebids need to force the auction to game.

Jump Shift

A jump shift by responder (jumping one level in a new suit) is game-forcing and shows 17+ points. This is a powerhouse hand.

Example:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠
Partner rebids 2♦, you bid 3♣

Your jump to 3♣ shows 17+ points, five spades, four clubs, and forces to game (at minimum). You’re exploring for slam.

Note: Many modern partnerships play jump shifts as weaker hands (fit-showing jumps or other conventions). Check your partnership agreements.

Jump to 3NT

Jumping to 3NT shows 13-15 points, a balanced hand, and stoppers in unbid suits.

Example:

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♥
Partner rebids 1♠, you bid 3NT

You have 13-15 HCP, likely two or three cards in partner’s suits, and you’re placing the contract in 3NT.

Jump to Game in Partner’s Suit

Jumping to game in partner’s suit shows 13-15 points (or a good 12) with strong support.

Example:

Partner opens 1♠, you respond 2♣
Partner rebids 2♠, you bid 4♠

You’re showing 13-15 points with at least three spades (probably four), and placing the contract in game.

Bidding a New Suit (Without Jumping)

Here’s where things get interesting. After you’ve responded and partner has rebid, bidding a new suit at the cheapest level shows 13+ points and is forcing for one round.

Example:

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♥
Partner rebids 1NT, you bid 2♣

Your 2♣ bid shows 13+ points and is forcing. Partner must bid again. This allows you to explore for the best game contract.

Preference vs. New Suit

One of the most common responder rebid decisions: should you give preference to partner’s first suit, or bid a new suit of your own?

The answer depends on your strength and distribution.

Give preference when:

You have 6-9 points (minimum) and at least two cards in partner’s first suit
You have no four-card suit to show
Bidding a new suit would take you past the safe level

Bid a new suit when:

You have 13+ points and a four-card suit (forcing)
You have 10-12 points and the auction is still at the one-level (you can show your suit and still invite later)

Example of preference:

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠ with ♠KJ743 ♥Q4 ♦K85 ♣962
Partner rebids 2♣, you bid 2♥

You have a minimum (8 HCP) and two hearts. Give preference. Don’t rebid 2♠—that promises six spades.

Example of new suit:

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♥ with ♠AQ84 ♥KJ752 ♦3 ♣Q106
Partner rebids 1NT, you bid 2♠

With 13 points, show your four-card spade suit. This is forcing and you might find a 4-4 spade fit.

Fourth Suit Forcing Situations

Fourth suit forcing (FSF) is a convention where bidding the only unbid suit is artificial and forcing, asking partner for more information.

Example auction:

Partner opens 1♣
You respond 1♥
Partner rebids 1♠
You bid 2♦ (fourth suit forcing)

You’ve bid 2♦, the fourth suit. This doesn’t promise diamonds—it’s artificial, showing 11+ points (or 10+ in some partnerships) and asking partner to describe their hand further.

When to use FSF:

You have game-forcing or invitational values
You don’t have a natural bid available
You need to know if partner has three-card heart support or a stopper in diamonds

Partner’s responses to FSF:

Bid 2NT with a stopper in the fourth suit
Raise your suit with three-card support
Rebid their own suit with six cards
Bid their second suit with four cards

FSF is a powerful tool for finding the right game contract when your hand doesn’t fit a simple pattern.

Example Responder Rebid Auctions

Let’s walk through some complete auctions to see responder rebids in action.

Auction 1: Minimum hand, giving preference

Opener: 1♥ - Responder: 1♠ (6+ points, four spades)
Opener: 2♦ - Responder: 2♥ (6-9 points, two hearts, preference)
Opener: Pass

Responder showed a minimum, opener passed. The auction ends in a partscore.

Auction 2: Invitational hand, jump preference

Opener: 1♠ - Responder: 2♣ (11+ points, clubs)
Opener: 2♥ - Responder: 3♠ (10-12 points, three spades)
Opener: 4♠ (maximum opening with extras)

Responder invited, opener accepted with a maximum.

Auction 3: Game-forcing hand, new suit

Opener: 1♦ - Responder: 1♥ (6+ points, hearts)
Opener: 1♠ - Responder: 2♣ (13+ points, forcing)
Opener: 2NT - Responder: 3NT

Responder’s new suit forced to game, and 3NT became the final contract.

Auction 4: Fourth suit forcing

Opener: 1♣ - Responder: 1♥
Opener: 1♠ - Responder: 2♦ (FSF, artificial)
Opener: 2♥ (three hearts) - Responder: 4♥

Responder used FSF to check for three-card heart support and found the heart game.

Common Responder Rebid Mistakes

Even experienced players stumble on responder rebids. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Rebidding a Five-Card Suit

Your partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♠ with five spades, and partner rebids 1NT. Many players automatically rebid 2♠.

Don’t. Rebidding your suit promises six cards (or a very strong five). With only five spades and a minimum, pass 1NT. You’ve already shown your spades.

Mistake 2: Giving False Preference with a Singleton

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠, partner rebids 2♣. You hold a singleton heart.

Don’t give preference to 2♥ just because it’s cheap. With a singleton, either pass 2♣ or bid 2NT if you have the points and stoppers. Preference promises at least two cards.

Mistake 3: Inviting with 13 Points

You have 13 HCP and want to invite game. Stop right there.

With 13 points facing an opening bid, you have game values. Don’t make an invitational bid—make a forcing bid. Jump to 3NT, bid a new suit forcing, or jump to game in partner’s suit. You have enough for game, period.

Mistake 4: Jumping to 2NT with 11 HCP

Partner opens 1♥, you respond 1♠, partner rebids 2♣. You have 11 HCP balanced.

Jumping to 2NT shows 10-12 points, so technically this fits. But 11 points is a maximum invitational hand. Consider whether you want to invite or force to game. With a good 11 (aces and kings), consider treating it as 13 and forcing. With a bad 11 (queens and jacks), invite.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Fourth Suit Forcing Is Artificial

Partner opens 1♣, you respond 1♥, partner rebids 1♠, you bid 2♦ (fourth suit).

Partner passes or treats it as natural. Oops—you forgot to discuss FSF with partner.

Make sure both partners understand FSF is artificial and forcing. This is a critical partnership agreement. If you haven’t discussed it, assume fourth suit is natural and find another bid.

Mistake 6: Over-Valuing Distribution

You have 8 HCP but a wild 5-5 shape. You’re tempted to jump-shift or make an invitational rebid.

Resist the urge. High-card points drive the bidding. Yes, distribution matters, but don’t invite with 8 points just because you have two five-card suits. Bid naturally based on your actual point count.

Putting It All Together

The bridge responder rebid is your chance to define your hand precisely. You’ve narrowed the range from 6-18 points to either 6-9 (minimum), 10-12 (invitational), or 13+ (game-forcing). You’ve shown your distribution—balanced, unbalanced, support for partner, or a long suit of your own.

Partner now has a clear picture. They can pass your signoff, accept or decline your invitation, or continue searching for the best game or slam.

Master these responder rebid principles, and you’ll find yourself in the right contracts far more often. Your bidding accuracy will improve, your partnerships will mesh better, and your results will reflect it.

The responder rebid isn’t glamorous—it’s simply the bridge conversation moving forward. But like any conversation, clarity beats cleverness every time.