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Who makes the conventional bid?

Opener, overcaller, responder, advancer. 

When learning a convention, it’s important to recognize which position uses the convention: the opening bidder, the overcaller (first person to bid for the non-opening side), the responder (partner of the opener) or the advancer (partner of the overcaller). Some conventions are only played by one of the positions and some can be played by any position. Do you know which is which?

 

Which positions can use these conventions: 

  • New Minor Forcing

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Responder and Advancer

    Answer: 3

    Responder is the only one who can use New Minor Forcing and only after opener's second bid is 1NT (or, by agreement, 2NT). 

    West

     

    North

    Opener

    East

     

    South

    Responder

      1♠ Pass 1♠
     Pass 1NT Pass 2♠*
        

    *New Minor Forcing

    You can learn more about this convention in Larry's Webinar. 

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  • Support double

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 1

    The opening bidder is the only one who can make a support double. The condition for it is after an opening bid and response, an intervening call is made (either a bid or double). For example:

    West

    Opener

    North

    Opponent

    East

    Responder

    South

    Opponent

     1♠ Pass 1♠ 1♠

    This is an auction where West could make a support double. Support doubles can only be made below two of the responder's suit. If South had overcalled 2♠ on the auction above, there would be no support double. 

    You can find out more in Michael's Webinar on many types of doubles. 

    Your result so far:
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  • Roman Keycard Blackwood

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 5

    Any position can use Roman Keycard Blackwood. Whoever chooses to use RKCB must be committing to bid slam missing only one keycard. Use Keycard Blackwood when you are definitely going to slam unless missing a keycard (or a keycard + queen of trump). If you aren't sure you belong in slam, use control bidding. Do not use RKCB if you might lose the first two tricks in a suit. 

     

    You can learn more about Keycard Blackwood in this webinar with Michael

    Your result so far:
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  • Jacoby 2NT

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 3

    Only the responder can use Jacoby 2NT and only with no interference. If there is an overcall of a suit, then 2NT becomes natural and invitational. If there is a double in between, then 2NT (with agreement) is a slightly different convention called Jordan. 

     

    You can learn more about Jacoby 2NT in this webinar by Mike Lawrence.

    Your result so far:
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  • Michaels cue bid

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 2

    Overcaller. A Michaels cue bid shows 5-5 in the majors or, if the opening was a major, then 5 cards in the other major and 5 in an unspecified minor. How strong a Michaels cue bid should be depends on vulnerability and seat. The overcaller here might also be in fourth position as in 1♠ - (P) - 1NT - (2♠). 

     

    You can learn about all types of cuebids including Michaels in this webinar with Larry.

    Your result so far:
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  • Support showing cue bid

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 5

    Cue bids can have many possible meanings--they are simply ways to force partner to bid again. That said, any position could use a cue bid to show support for a suit partner has bid although sometimes the cue bidder may need to clarify the meaning later on. 

     

    You can learn about all types of cuebids including support showing cuebids in this webinar with Larry.

    Your result so far:
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  • Fourth Suit Forcing

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Opener

    2. -

    Overcaller

    3. -

    Responder

    4. -

    Advancer

    5. -

    All positions

    6. -

    Only responder and advancer

    Answer: 3

    Responder is the only one to use fourth suit forcing. This convention only comes up in non-game-forcing auctions. If the auction begins with a game-forcing 2/1 bid (1♠ P 2♠) then this convention is off. Fourth suit forcing will arise when opener has bid two suits (and not reversed) 

    West

     

    North

    Opener

    East

     

    South

    Responder

      1♠ Pass 1♠
     Pass 2♠ Pass ?

    On this auction South could use 2♠ as Fourth Suit Forcing. 

     

    You can learn more about 4th suit forcing in this webinar with Larry

     

    Your result so far:
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