<p>The SAYC card specifies strong jump shifts by responder after a 1H opener, further explaining that it invites a slam. This suggests a 17-19 HCP range with 5+ cards and a good honor holding in the bid suit (though I warn you that point-count is insufficient to evaluate many slam invitational hands, and e.g. AKJxxxx Axx Kx x is a 15-count that suggests a strong jump shift).</p>

<p>Though 2NT only promises a minimum opener as explained by <a href="https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/1224/aryabhata">Aryabhata</a>, your first priority must be to show your support for partner's spade suit. Your proper rebid is 4S by the principle of fast arrival. You know enough to sign off: your hand is not good enough to accept a slam invitation (thus the game), and you know your partnership has a spade fit (thus the strain). Bidding 3S here suggests to partner that slam is still a possibility.</p>

<p>If you'd like to read more about opener's rebids after a strong jump shift by responder, <a href="http://www.bridgebum.com/strong_jump_shifts.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the bridge bum has a good summary</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Edit</strong> The question has been updated to make the auction start 1H-2C instead of 1H-2S.</p>

<p>SAYC suggests that 1H-2C-2NT should show a balanced hand, 12-14 HCP. Be aware that if the club bidder is an unpassed hand, 1H-2C promises a second bid from responder, and so you're forcing your side to the three level with a 2NT response. You should probably consider a different rebid if your hand doesn't stop the other suits (especially spades, the other major, as defenders prefer to lead majors against no trump contracts).</p>

<p>1H-2C-2H does not promise a 6th heart (as opposed to 1H-1NT-2H or 1H-1S-2H, which do). So if your 5-3-3-2 12-count is something like Jxx AKJxx Qxx Jx, I would rebid 2H. If instead it's AJT KJxxx QJx xx, 2NT seems better.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-14T14:02:49.713Z
thanks for good site link. Please note: I've slightly modified the example in my question (1H-2S --> 1H-2C) it doesn't change the essence of 2nt 18pts rebid (wanted to make the question more succinct).
user5185
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-14T14:31:38.780Z
I should add that even though 1H-2C-2H doesn't promise 5, it's not a comfortable rebid with 5. I suggest it here because you don't have a 2D rebid or a comfortable 2NT bid.
ruds
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2013-06-13T06:48:59.323Z
2013-06-14T14:25:49.517Z
2017-04-13T12:38:49.990Z
ruds
<p>The ACBL booklet (quick reference) on SAYC can be found here: <a href="http://www.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/sayc_book.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/sayc_book.pdf</a>. </p>

<p>According to that (page 3), NT rebids by opener at the lowest available level show a minimum hand. (Of course, that probably does not apply when responder initially bids 1NT).</p>

<p>Based on your edit, it looks like you have some confusion regarding what a jump rebid means.</p>

<p>A jump is when you skip a level, i.e. you could have bid the suit/no trump a level lower, but you chose to "jump" over it. For example opener 1D - responder 1S - opener 2NT. 2NT is a jump, as opener could have bid 1NT. In this case, it would indeed show 18-19 balanced hand.</p>

<p>After partner responds 2S, 2NT is not a jump rebid. It is a rebid of NT at the lowest available level.</p>

<p>For more detailed reading, there is also a book by Ellen Pommer, <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1897106033" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Bidding-With-SAYC-Downey/dp/1897106033</a> which you might find useful (I haven't read it).</p>

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2013-06-14T22:47:28.290Z
Oops! I meant to add that comment to my answer, not yours. Please decline edit if desired; I was unable to revert.
Forget I was ever here
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2013-06-15T05:32:12.953Z
@PieterGeerkens: No worries, I have reverted.
Aryabhata
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2013-06-13T06:24:47.470Z
2013-06-15T05:31:54.280Z
2013-06-15T05:31:54.280Z
Aryabhata
<p>A non-jump rebid by opener of 1NT or 2NT shows a balanced 12-14 HCP hand (sometimes with a singleton in responder's suit). A <strong>single-jump</strong> rebid of 2NT or 3NT by opener shows the 18-19 HCP balanced hand. </p>

<p>Partner's jump-shift in spades shows a very good hand, and a very good suit; you should always reveal 3-card support promptly, when you have it, by raising to 3S. If playing fast arrival, the jump-raise to 4S should show a hand both minimum in strength <strong>and</strong> <em>soft</em>, ie rich in queens and jacks in short or un-bid suits.</p>

<p>Many partnerships play that a jump by opener is a splinter, showing 4-card support and a singleton in the bid suit; however don't attempt this unless you have already agreed to play splinters in more obvious circumstances. Unlike in my answer yesterday, this is <strong>not</strong> a situation where partner can read it without an agreement.</p>

<p>Questions edited to change auction. This answer addressed the original question.</p>

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2013-06-13T23:06:13.100Z
2013-06-14T22:46:33.537Z
2013-06-14T22:46:33.537Z
Forget I was ever here
<p>I opened with 1H - Partner bid 2C - (I have 5 hearts, 12 pts, 3spades 3diamonds 2clubs). I have to respond, but responding 2NT would mean I have 18 pts (my written source on this is: <a href="http://www.math.cornell.edu/~belk/opening.htm#1.5Notrump" rel="nofollow">http://www.math.cornell.edu/~belk/opening.htm#1.5Notrump</a>: "With 18 or 19 HCP and a balanced hand, you should open in a suit (usually a minor) and then jump to 2NT on your next bid.")</p>

<p>I've been told that in this case (the case where partner responded on 2-level) - 2NT rebid would not mean 18pts (e.g. that it's ok to bid 2nt here). Can someone point me to the appropriate material on the web that discusses this?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-13T06:30:12.873Z
What is your actual hand? Beginners often think that shape and HCP is sufficient, but your actual honors often matter. Do you have a S honor? Do you mostly have Qs and Js or do you have As and Ks? For example, Axx AKJxxx xxx xx is a much stronger hand than xxx AQxxx QJx QJ (in general and especially in this auction).
ruds
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2013-06-13T15:12:18.127Z
The keyword being "jump". After 1H - 2X, 2NT is not a jump...
Aryabhata
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2013-06-13T22:54:21.557Z
@ruds: I never evaluate 14-card hands; I call the director.
Forget I was ever here
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2013-06-14T14:11:43.260Z
@PieterGeerkens: Yes, too many spots in the heart suit. I was attempting to illustrate the difference between 3=5=3=2 12-counts. The first hand should have been Axx AKJxx xxx xx
ruds
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-14T22:42:58.260Z
PLEASE DON'T EDIT QUESTIONS TO MAKE EXISTING ANSWERS OBSOLETE; Unless you **want** to get down-voted that is. Ask a new question, or append to your question if it is a minor variance.
Forget I was ever here
<bridge><bidding>
Opener's rebid of 2NT (system: Simple SAYC)
user5185
# Opener's rebid of 2NT (system: Simple SAYC)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-06-13)

I opened with 1H - Partner bid 2C - (I have 5 hearts, 12 pts, 3spades 3diamonds 2clubs). I have to respond, but responding 2NT would mean I have 18 pts (my written source on this is: <http://www.math.cornell.edu/~belk/opening.htm#1.5Notrump>: "With 18 or 19 HCP and a balanced hand, you should open in a suit (usually a minor) and then jump to 2NT on your next bid.")

I've been told that in this case (the case where partner responded on 2-level) - 2NT rebid would not mean 18pts (e.g. that it's ok to bid 2nt username_3). Can someone point me to the appropriate material on the web that discusses this?

**Tags:** bridge, bidding

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What is your actual hand? Beginners often think that shape and HCP is sufficient, but your actual honors often matter. Do you have a S honor? Do you mostly have Qs and Js or do you have As and Ks? For example, Axx AKJxxx xxx xx is a much stronger hand than xxx AQxxx QJx QJ (in general and especially in this auction).  
> **username_2**: The keyword being "jump". After 1H - 2X, 2NT is not a jump...  
> **username_3**: @username_1: I never evaluate 14-card hands; I call the director.  
> **username_1**: @PieterGeerkens: Yes, too many spots in the heart suit. I was attempting to illustrate the difference between 3=5=3=2 12-counts. The first hand should have been Axx AKJxx xxx xx  
> **username_3**: PLEASE DON'T EDIT QUESTIONS TO MAKE EXISTING ANSWERS OBSOLETE; Unless you **want** to get down-voted that is. Ask a new question, or append to your question if it is a minor variance.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-06-13. Score: 3

The SAYC card specifies strong jump shifts by responder after a 1H opener, further explaining that it invites a slam. This suggests a 17-19 HCP range with 5+ cards and a good honor holding in the bid suit (though I warn you that point-count is insufficient to evaluate many slam invitational hands, and e.g. AKJxxxx Axx Kx x is a 15-count that suggests a strong jump shift).

Though 2NT only promises a minimum opener as explained by [username_2](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/1224/username_2), your first priority must be to show your support for partner's spade suit. Your proper rebid is 4S by the principle of fast arrival. You know enough to sign off: your hand is not good enough to accept a slam invitation (thus the game), and you know your partnership has a spade fit (thus the strain). Bidding 3S username_3 suggests to partner that slam is still a possibility.

If you'd like to read more about opener's rebids after a strong jump shift by responder, [the bridge bum has a good summary](http://www.bridgebum.com/strong_jump_shifts.php).

**Edit** The question has been updated to make the auction start 1H-2C instead of 1H-2S.

SAYC suggests that 1H-2C-2NT should show a balanced hand, 12-14 HCP. Be aware that if the club bidder is an unpassed hand, 1H-2C promises a second bid from responder, and so you're forcing your side to the three level with a 2NT response. You should probably consider a different rebid if your hand doesn't stop the other suits (especially spades, the other major, as defenders prefer to lead majors against no trump contracts).

1H-2C-2H does not promise a 6th heart (as opposed to 1H-1NT-2H or 1H-1S-2H, which do). So if your 5-3-3-2 12-count is something like Jxx AKJxx Qxx Jx, I would rebid 2H. If instead it's AJT KJxxx QJx xx, 2NT seems better.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: thanks for good site link. Please note: I've slightly modified the example in my question (1H-2S --> 1H-2C) it doesn't change the essence of 2nt 18pts rebid (wanted to make the question more succinct).  
> **username_1**: I should add that even though 1H-2C-2H doesn't promise 5, it's not a comfortable rebid with 5. I suggest it username_3 because you don't have a 2D rebid or a comfortable 2NT bid.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2013-06-13. Score: 2

The ACBL booklet (quick reference) on SAYC can be found username_3: <http://www.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/sayc_book.pdf>.

According to that (page 3), NT rebids by opener at the lowest available level show a minimum hand. (Of course, that probably does not apply when responder initially bids 1NT).

Based on your edit, it looks like you have some confusion regarding what a jump rebid means.

A jump is when you skip a level, i.e. you could have bid the suit/no trump a level lower, but you chose to "jump" over it. For example opener 1D - responder 1S - opener 2NT. 2NT is a jump, as opener could have bid 1NT. In this case, it would indeed show 18-19 balanced hand.

After partner responds 2S, 2NT is not a jump rebid. It is a rebid of NT at the lowest available level.

For more detailed reading, there is also a book by Ellen Pommer, [http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Bidding-With-SAYC-Downey/dp/1897106033](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1897106033) which you might find useful (I haven't read it).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Oops! I meant to add that comment to my answer, not yours. Please decline edit if desired; I was unable to revert.  
> **username_2**: @PieterGeerkens: No worries, I have reverted.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-06-13. Score: 2

A non-jump rebid by opener of 1NT or 2NT shows a balanced 12-14 HCP hand (sometimes with a singleton in responder's suit). A **single-jump** rebid of 2NT or 3NT by opener shows the 18-19 HCP balanced hand.

Partner's jump-shift in spades shows a very good hand, and a very good suit; you should always reveal 3-card support promptly, when you have it, by raising to 3S. If playing fast arrival, the jump-raise to 4S should show a hand both minimum in strength **and** *soft*, ie rich in queens and jacks in short or un-bid suits.

Many partnerships play that a jump by opener is a splinter, showing 4-card support and a singleton in the bid suit; however don't attempt this unless you have already agreed to play splinters in more obvious circumstances. Unlike in my answer yesterday, this is **not** a situation where partner can read it without an agreement.

Questions edited to change auction. This answer addressed the original question.


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