Responding with Fewer Than 6 Points

I often get asked about responding with weak (fewer than 6 HCP) hands. There are many factors. Before I list them, let me say that I would not respond to partner's 1 opening with:

 J76  
 J76  
 Q765  
 J43,

but I would respond with: 

 AJ1097  
 2  
 10876  
 1076.
 

In both examples, responder has 5 HCP -- but there is so much more to it. Of importance are:

1) Suit quality/length.
2) What the suit is (if spades, the preemptive value is better).
3) What is the vulnerability? If borderline, respond if not vulnerable, pass if vulnerable.
4) Are the HCP made up of quacks (queens/jacks) or aces/kings?
5) Spot cards--10's and 9's count!

There is no "right or wrong" here -- it is sometimes guesswork or style. Since there are no exact answers, I will just give you some situations with my thoughts:

 Vulnerable against not, partner opens 1 and RHO passes:

• J8765  
   J76  
   J76  
   32
    I would pass, seeing no reason to risk getting too high with this junky hand/suit.

• K87  
  J765  
  J32  
   542
   Same comment as the first hand.

•  4  
   AJ876  
   87654  
   32
   I would respond 1. This hand has potential.

• 108752 
  A54  
   32  
   654
   Same comment as the first hand.

•  K9876  
   Q1054  
   432  
   2
   I would respond 1--I don't like the prospect of tabling this dummy in 1 and this isn't a bad hand at all.

•  8765  
   8764  
   6543  
   2
   I would pass--hate it, but responding would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
  
  

  Not vulnerable against Vulnerable (Favorable), partner opens 1 and RHO passes:

•  QJ1087  
   4  
   J76  
   8754
   I would respond 1. This is an okay 4-count (with a nice 5-card suit) and has great preemptive value (opponents must have a heart fit). I am willing to risk getting too high at minus 50 a trick to interfere with the opponents' free run if I were to pass instead.

• QJ105  
   2  
   87654  
   432
   Another 1 response for just about all the reasons in the previous hand. If partner reverses to 2 or jump rebids 2NT, I'll regret having responded. Oh well.

•  Q876  
   Q74  
   J32  
   876
   I would pass--seeing no good reason to respond.

•  Q76  
   J87  
   2  
   J76543
   I would pass. I don't love the idea of playing in 1, but it isn't likely that LHO will pass. If I do respond, I am just asking for trouble (no good bid to make anyway).

Note: All of the above assumes partner opened in 1st or 2nd seat. If he opens in 3rd or 4th seat the strategy is a little different. It has gone:

or

Why is that different?  Both opponents have passed. This greatly increases the odds your partner has a big hand and is about to jump. There is not as much reason to respond just to preempt the opponents (who don't have much). Accordingly, I am not anxious to respond light. I want to have my bid when I am a passed hand.

Summary:

There is no right or wrong answer for this article/topic. Use the guidelines given and the example hands to learn what a rough idea of "right/wrong" is and good luck!

For more on the subject Click Here for Michael's webinar on Hand Evaluation.

Updated August 2023