Reverse (bridge)
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- This article concerns Contract Bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.
In the game of bridge, a reverse is a bid, in an unopposed bidding sequence, in a new suit that could have been bid by partner but was skipped instead. A simple example is:
- 1♣ - 1♠; 2♥
The last bid is a reverse.
Note responder avoided making an initial response of 1♥. Despite this, opener chose to bid 2♥, apparently seeking a fit that cannot exist. This seemingly odd bidding is the "reverse" of what one would expect and is used only with strong hands as it consumes bidding space. In particular, responders preference to opener's first suit can no longer be made at the two level.
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[edit] Opener's reverse
This shows a minimum of about 17-19 points, or possibly higher, depending on system, and at least 5 cards in the first bid suit.
Opener's reverse may face a weak responding hand, with which responder may have intended (over a simple suit rebid) to have rebid his own suit or taken a preference to opener's first suit at the two level. Opener's reverse allows responder to rebid his suit, but any preference must be to a higher level. Therefore, of necessity, opener's reverse shows values at least one trick beyond the minimum needed to open.
For example, following 1♦ – 1♠ ; 2♥ - ?, responder may have a weak hand such as ♠QJ86 ♥K2 ♦8762 ♣Q74 and be planning to rebid 2♦, a simple preference, if opener made a typical rebid such as 1NT or 2♣, and to pass if opener rebid 2♠ or 2♦. However, following the reverse, if responder wishes to show a weak hand, perhaps with some diamond support (in other words a simple preference bid), he must now rebid 3♦, which is a level higher than he was originally planning on. Thus the reverse has forced the partnership to commit to taking nine tricks instead of eight.
[edit] Technical definition of Opener's reverse
Opener's simple reverse skips over ("bypasses") the lowest available level of the first suit bid by the reverser, but does not skip over the lowest available level of the first suit bid by his partner. Contrast with a simple rebid, which skips over neither, and with a jump shift, which skips over both.
For example,
1♣ - 1♥ ; 2♦
is a reverse because it skips over 2♣, but not over 2♥.
1♣ - 1♥ ; 1♠
simple rebid because it is not as high as 2♣.
1♣ - 1♥ ; 2♣
simple rebid of opener's suit - does not skip over 2♣.
1♣ - 1♥ ; 2♠
is a jump shift because it skips over both 2♣ and 2♥.
Some auctions can have a follow up by a reverse, but not a jump shift. Others can follow up with a jump shift, but not a reverse. Compare:
1♣ - 1♦; 2♥ or 2♠
are jump shifts; no reverse is possible because there is no suit to bid between 2♣ and 2♦
1♣ - 1♠ ; 2♦ or 2♥
are reverses; no jump shift is possible because there are two suits to bid between 2♣ and 2♠, but none above 2♠ except for 3♣.
[edit] Responder's Actions
As stated above, responder may hold a weak hand, intending to merely rebid his own suit, or to end the auction with a preference to opener's first suit. Opener's reverse does not bar responder from rebidding his suit at the two level (showing extra length but not promising any extra strength), but does bar responder from taking a preference to opener's first suit at the two level.
In the older style, responder could have passed the reverse, and his preference showed no values beyond his initial bid. Based on experience, the expert community now treats the reverse as a one round force, allowing opener to distinguish (with his next bid) between a reverse one trick above a minimum opening and a maximum reverse (just short of a game force), as well as to use the bid with greater frequency on non-standard hands (such as a six card suit with three card support, and balanced hand with about 19 HCP, two four card suits, three card support, and an "open" doubleton).
Also, in this expert version, responder may distinguish between a minimum hand (combined with opener's 17 points minimum, merely invitational to game; or combined with a stronger opener, forcing to game); or a stronger hand (combining with opener's 17 points, forcing to game).
[edit] Some examples
The final bids shown in these sequences are not reverses as these are made in a suit not skipped by partner:
- 1♣ – 1♥; 1♠
- 1♦ – (2♣) – 2♥; 2♠
- 1♣ – 1♥; 2♠
But in the following sequences, each final bid shown is a reverse by opener:
- 1♣ – 1M; 2♦
- 1♦ – 1♠; 2♥
- 1♦ – 1NT; 2♥
- 1♥ – 2m; 2♠
- 1M – 2♦; 3♣
- 1♠ – 2♥; 3m
This treatment – that a reverse shows extra strength – is the reason for the development and use of the Flannery convention.
Opener's reverse need not be in a four card or longer suit, it can be made on a powerful three card suit (preferably a minor), such as ♦AQJ. This approach is useful in investigating notrump contracts.
Styles differ as to whether opener's reverse is forcing. Standard American bidding usually treats a reverse after reponder's one-level bid as non-forcing; so, 1♦ – 1♠;2♥ is not forcing. Standard American treats a reverse after responder's two-level bid as forcing; so, 1♥ – 2♣; 2♠ is forcing. Other systems treat opener's reverse as a one round force, regardless of the level of responder's first bid. Strong club systems such as Precision Club have much less need for reverse bids to show extra strength because natural suit bids are limited. Note, Kaplan-Sheinwold treats 1♦ – 1M; 2♣ as a reverse although this is not standard in other systems.
[edit] High and low level reverse
In the following bidding sequences, the last bids are reverse bids:
- 1♣ - 1♠; 2♥ : a low reverse by opener (non-forcing in Standard American but forcing for one round in Acol)
- 1♠ - 2♦; 3♣ : a high reverse by opener (forcing for one round in Standard American but forcing to game in Acol)
[edit] Later bidding
Most pairs play a rebid of the suit and a 2NT rebid in response to opener's reverse as weak. Other responses, in particular the delayed raise of the openings suit, are forcing; thus:
- 1♣ - 1♥; 2♦ - ??
-
-
- 2♥ : weak, 5+ card
- 2♠ : strong relay (Fourth suit forcing)
- 2NT : weak relay
- 3♣ : forcing, 3+ card support
-
Specific conventions like Ingberman have been devised to facilitate further bidding after a reverse.
[edit] Responder's reverse
Most standard methods treat a responder's reverse as a game force. Responder's reverse usually follows a same suit rebid or a notrump rebid by opener, because otherwise it would be treated as conventional. Typical responder's reverse sequences are:
1♦ – 1♥; 1NT – 2♠
1♣ – 1♦; 2♣ – 2♥
[edit] Jump reverses
Jump reverses after a major-suit response carry a special meaning. Most expert partnerships utilise this bid to denote game-going values with shortness (often specifically a singleton) in the suit bid and support for partner's major suit. An example of a jump reverse is:
1♣ – 1♠; 3♥
Partnerships utilising this agreement commonly agree that in this situation a splinter bid (i.e. a double jump in a new suit) indicates a void.[1] This is also the understanding used in Bridge World Standard, though other options may also be used. (See BW, ____, ____, p. ).
Jump reverses after a 1NT response to a minor opening are often used to indicate game-going values with shortness in the suit bid (a singleton or void) and six cards or more in the minor suit opened. This agreement facilitates partner in deciding the final contract (in most cases 3NT or a game or slam in the opened minor).
[edit] References
- ^ William S. Root and Richard Pavlicek, Modern bridge Conventions.
