Reverse (bridge)
Encyclopedia
A reverse, in the card game
contract bridge
, is a bidding sequence designed to show additional strength without the need to make a jump bid; specifically two suits are bid in the reverse order to that expected by the basic bidding system. Precise methods and definitions vary with country and system. In Standard American
a reverse is defined by William S. Root
as "... a nonjump bid at the two-level in a new suit that ranks higher than the suit you bid first", and by Bridge World. as "a non-jump bid in a new suit that bypasses a bid in a lower-ranking suit already bid by the same player". The Acol
definition is somewhat wider and includes any bid of a new suit by opener higher than two of their first suit.
An example satisfying both definitions is:
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 is unlikely to exist. This seemingly odd bidding is the "reverse" of what one would expect with a minimum hand (keeping the bidding low) and is used only with strong hands as it consumes bidding space.
A relatively easy way to identify the reverse uses the "gap" principle. A simple reverse is made when:
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.
For example, in the example above, the response created a "gap" of the red suits. When opener bids a red suit that was "in the gap" then that constitutes a reverse.
, 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 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:
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 4-card suit is available to bid.
These examples illustrate high and low level reverses:
In some variants of 2/1 game forcing, the major-suit reverse after the sequence 1 – 2 doesn't promise extra values — opener may merely show a 4-card suit or a stopper. Kaplan-Sheinwold
treats 1 – 1M; 2 as a reverse although this is not standard in other systems.
to game, including preference for the opening suit. Thus:
1 – 1; 1NT – 2
1 – 1; 2 – 2
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. This is also the understanding used in Bridge World Standard, though other options may also be used.
Jump reverses after a minor-suit response commonly show splinter raises, too.
1 – 2; 3
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).
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
contract bridge
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
, is a bidding sequence designed to show additional strength without the need to make a jump bid; specifically two suits are bid in the reverse order to that expected by the basic bidding system. Precise methods and definitions vary with country and system. In Standard American
Standard American
Standard American is a common bidding system for the game of bridge in the United States, also widely used in the rest of the world. This system, or a slight variant, is learned first by most beginners in the U.S. and may be referred to as 'Goren'; a dominant version used in on-line computer...
a reverse is defined by William S. Root
William S. Root
William S. Root was a professional American bridge player. He represented the United States twelve times in international competition, including the Bermuda Bowl in 1967...
as "... a nonjump bid at the two-level in a new suit that ranks higher than the suit you bid first", and by Bridge World. as "a non-jump bid in a new suit that bypasses a bid in a lower-ranking suit already bid by the same player". The Acol
Acol
Acol is the bridge bidding system that, according to The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, is "standard in British tournament play and widely used in other parts of the world". It is named after the Acol Bridge Club, previously located on Acol Road in London NW6, where the system started to evolve...
definition is somewhat wider and includes any bid of a new suit by opener higher than two of their first suit.
An example satisfying both definitions 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 is unlikely to exist. This seemingly odd bidding is the "reverse" of what one would expect with a minimum hand (keeping the bidding low) and is used only with strong hands as it consumes bidding space.
A relatively easy way to identify the reverse uses the "gap" principle. A simple reverse is made when:
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.
For example, in the example above, the response created a "gap" of the red suits. When opener bids a red suit that was "in the gap" then that constitutes a reverse.
Opener's reverse
This shows a minimum of 16-19 pointsHand evaluation
In contract bridge, various bidding systems have been devised to enable partners to describe their hands to each other so that they may reach the optimum contract. Key to this process is that players evaluate and re-evaluate the trick-taking potential of their hands as the auction proceeds and...
, 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 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 4-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 forcing2/1 game forcing2/1 game forcing is a bidding system in modern contract bridge in which, after a one-level opening bid, a non-jump response in a new suit at the two level commits the partnership to bidding at least game....
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 in AcolAcolAcol is the bridge bidding system that, according to The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, is "standard in British tournament play and widely used in other parts of the world". It is named after the Acol Bridge Club, previously located on Acol Road in London NW6, where the system started to evolve...
), when opener's second bid is in a new lower ranked suit at the three level, is forcing to game. - Strong club systems such as Precision ClubPrecision clubPrecision Club is a bidding system in the game of contract bridge. It is a type of strong club system that was invented by C. C. Wei and used to good effect by Taiwan teams in the early 1970s...
have much less need for reverse bids to show extra strength because natural suit bids are limited. In that context, a reverse generally shows playing strength rather than high cards.
These examples illustrate high and low level reverses:
- 1 – 1; 2 : a standard reverse(or low reverse) by opener - the 2 bid is forcing for one round
- 1 – 2; 3 : a high reverse by opener - the 3 bid is forcing to game
In some variants of 2/1 game forcing, the major-suit reverse after the sequence 1 – 2 doesn't promise extra values — opener may merely show a 4-card suit or a stopper. Kaplan-Sheinwold
Kaplan-Sheinwold
The Kaplan-Sheinwold bidding system was developed and popularized by Edgar Kaplan and Alfred Sheinwold during their partnership, which flourished during the 1950s and 1960s. K-S is one of many natural systems...
treats 1 – 1M; 2 as a reverse although this is not standard in other systems.
Later bidding
Most pairs play a rebid of own suit or 2NT in response to opener's reverse as weak. Other responses are forcingForcing bid
In the card game contract bridge, a forcing bid is any bid that obliges the partner to bid over an intermediate opposing pass. Owing to the partnership's bidding system or a bridge convention, partner must "keep the bidding open", i.e...
to game, including preference for the opening suit. Thus:
- 1 - 1; 2 - ??
-
-
- 2 : weak, 5+ card
- 2 : strong relay (Fourth suit forcingFourth suit forcingFourth suit forcing is a contract bridge convention that allows responder to create, at his second turn to bid, a forcing auction...
) - 2NT : weak relay
- 3 : forcing preference, 3+ card support
-
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
Jump 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 a splinter bid
Splinter bid
In contract bridge, a splinter bid is a convention whereby a jump bid in a side-suit indicates a trump fit and a singleton or void in the suit bid. For example, a 4 clubs response to a 1 heart opening establishes hearts as trump suit and indicates a singleton or void in clubs. Most experts agree...
(i.e. a double jump in a new suit) indicates a void. This is also the understanding used in Bridge World Standard, though other options may also be used.
Jump reverses after a minor-suit response commonly show splinter raises, too.
1 – 2; 3
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).