Definitions
Standard American
InAcol
TheApplication
;Example In the auction, 1 – 1; 2, the 2 rebid by opener meets the foregoing definitions and is a reverse showing a stronger than minimum opening hand and forcing responder to bid for one more round. Responder's bid of 1 bypassed bids of 1 and 1 creating a "gap" in the auction (between the 1 and 1 bids) thereby implying that responder did not possess four or more in either of those suits. Despite this, opener rebid 2, apparently seeking a fit in hearts that is unlikely to exist. This seemingly odd bidding is the "reverse" of what one would expect with a minimum opening hand because such action would compel a responder, who holds a minimum hand for his 1 bid but with no hearts and only a few clubs, to return opener to his club suit at the three-level, a result likely to be too high for two minimum hands but not if opener has a strong hand. ;Recognition aid One way to identify a reverse is to recognize that a "gap" has been created and that the opener has bid a second suit which lies within the "gap", hearts or diamonds in this example. :1. Opener opens one of any suit (except spades). :2. Responder bids at the one level. :3. Responder's bid leaves a "gap" between the two bids. :4. Opener then bids "into the gap" at the two level.Opener's reverse
Depending on the bidding system, a reverse by opener usually shows a minimum of 16 points or a five-loser hand and at least five 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 rebid his own suit or taken a preference to opener's first suit at the two level. Opener's reverse still allows responder to rebid his suit at the two level, but a preference to opener's first suit must be at the three level. Thus, opener's reverse must show 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, he must now rebid 3. Thus the reverse has forced the partnership to commit to taking nine tricks instead of eight - based on the extra strength of opener. Examples of reverse bidding sequences: *1(by opener) – 1(by responder); 2(by opener - this bid is the "reverse") *1 – 1; 2 *1 – 1NT; 2 *1 – 2; 3 Acol definition only *1 – 2; 3 Acol definition only A special case exists when responder makes a two-over-one initial bid. Since a two-over-one response shows more than a minimum, generally ten or more, opener does not need as strong a hand to reverse the bidding at that juncture. The modern trend is therefore to allow such a reverse bid after a two-over-one initial response with a minimum opening hand. Opener's reverse need not be in a four-card or longer suit; it can be made on a powerful three-card minor suit, such as AQJ. This approach is useful in investigating notrump contracts and when no other four-card suit is available to bid.High and low level reverse
Reverse bids are generally considered to be forcing, with subtle variations depending on system: *A ''standard reverse'' (called a ''low level reverse'' in the UK), when opener's second bid is in a new higher ranked suit at the two level, is forcing for one round only, if it follows a one level bid by responder *A standard reverse following a two level bid by responder is unlikely to be passed before a game contract is reached, due to the additional points needed for the response *Under 2/1 game forcing any rebid by opener following a two level response, which is itself forcing to game, cannot be passed until game is reached *A ''high level reverse'' (a term used in the UK and inLater bidding
Most partnerships play a rebid of responder's suit or of 2NT in response to opener's reverse as weak and other responses as forcing to game, including preference for the opening suit. Thus, after :1 – 1; 2 – ? responder's rebids are: :::2: weak, five card or longer heart suit :::2: strong relay ( Fourth suit forcing) :::2NT: weak relay :::3: forcing preference, three card or longer support for opener's clubsResponder'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 – 2Jump reverses
The term "jump reverse" denotes a jump bid in a suit in which a non-jump bid would be a reverse. 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 aSee also
*References