Book One

What Does
Partner Have?
Visualizing partner’s hand

Timothy LeVan

An Honors eBook from Master Point Press

 Text © 2017 Timothy LeVan
Cover Image © powerofforever/iStock

All rights reserved.

Honors Books is an imprint of Master Point Press. All contents,

editing and design (excluding cover design) are the sole
responsibility of the authors.

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ISBN: 978-1-55494-580-1

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 Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................... iv

The Overall Picture for Opening Bids.............................. v

Review of the Basics........................................................1

Chapter One — OPENING 1NT......................................2

Balanced Hand Responder Bids........................................3
• 0 to 22+ Points......................................................3
Example Deals #1-10.................................. 4-13
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 14-15
Unbalanced Hand Responder Bids.................................17
• Stayman .............................................................17
Example Deals #11-16.............................. 18-23
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 24-25
• Jacoby Transfers..................................................26
Example Deals #17-22.............................. 28-33
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 34-35
• Stayman or Jacoby Transfers..............................36
Example Deals #23-30.............................. 38-45
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 46-47
• Relay to the Minors............................................49
Example Deals #31-32.............................. 50-51
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 52-53

Table of Contents | i
 Chapter Two — OPENING ONE OF A SUIT.................54
Responder Considers Priorities......................................54
• Raise Opener’s Major Suit..................................54
Example Deals #33-38.............................. 56-61
• Bid a New Suit....................................................55
Example Deals #39-42 ............................. 62-65
• Bid Notrump.......................................................55
Example Deals #43-46 ............................. 66-69
• A Minor Suit Contract.........................................55
Example Deals #47-48 ............................. 70-71
Quiz Questions & Answers....................... 72-73

Chapter Three — OPENER REBIDS............................74

Opener’s Non-Forcing Rebids.........................................74
• After Responder’s 1-level bid.............................74
• Old Suit Rebids...................................................74
• Notrump Rebids.................................................74
Example Deals #49-52.............................. 76-79
• After Responder’s 2-level bid.............................74
Example Deals #53-56............................... 80-83
Quiz Questions & Answers........................ 84-85

Opener’s Forcing Rebids..............................................86

• Jump Shift...........................................................86
Example Deals #57-58................................ 88-89
• Reverse...............................................................87
Example Deals #59-66................................ 90-97
Quiz Questions & Answers........................ 98-99

Chapter Four — THE STRONG BIDS ........................ 100

• Opening with 18-19 Balanced Points...............100
Example Deals #67-68.......................... 104-105
• Opening 2NT with 20-21 Balanced Points –
not forcing........................................................101
Example Deals #69-76.......................... 106-113

ii | Table of Contents
 •Opening 2♣ with 22+ Points – forcing..............102
Example Deals #77-84.......................... 114-121
Responder’s Bids..........................................................102
Opener’s and Responder’s Rebids...............103
Quiz Questions & Answers................... 122-123

Chapter Five— THE WEAK BIDS.............................. 124

2-level Preemptive Opening Bids – 2♦/2♥/2♠..............124
Opener rebids only if Responder:
• Bids 2NT – Forcing – or,
• Bids a New Good Suit below game level –
Forcing..............................................................124
Responder Bids after 2-level Preemptive Opening Bid
• Pass...................................................................124
• Raise with 3 trumps (preemptive raise)...........124
• Raise to Game with 4+ trumps (preemptive raise
or strong raise).................................................124
Example Deals #85 and #86................. 126-127
• Bid 2NT asking Opener for a “feature” (an outside
Ace or protected King) – Forcing......................124
Example Deals #87-90.......................... 128-131
• Bid a New Good Suit below game level shows
game interest – Forcing....................................124
Example Deals #91-94.......................... 132-135
3-level Preemptive Opening Bids – 3♣*/3♦/3♥/3♠
(with a good 7-card suit; *may be only 6 clubs)...........125

Game-level Preemptive Opening Bids – 4♥/4♠ or 5♣/5♦

(with a good 8-card major suit; or 9-card minor suit)..125

Responder Shows a Preemptive Suit – not forcing.......125

Example Deals #95-96.......................... 136-137
Quiz Questions & Answers................... 138-139

Table of Contents | iii

 Introduction
This is a book for experienced Novices and Early
Intermediate players. It’s a Standard American (not
2/1) bidding review with a unique twist. Like bidding
an actual bridge hand, you see only your own hand and
partner’s bids. You practice visualizing what partner
holds – from her bids only.
You (always South) open 1♦ and partner responds 1♥,
or you open 1♠ and partner responds 1NT. What Does
Partner Have? Is partner’s bid forcing?
Each chapter presents deals arranged progressively
from simple to complex.
In Book One, the opponents always pass. Stayman and
Jacoby transfers are the only two conventions used.
(Book Two gets all four players involved in the bidding,
and things get more complex. You must then visualize
three other hands!)
Individuals or partnerships seeking to clarify their
bidding messages will find this book helpful.

How it Works
Each chapter begins with a Review.
Then Example Deals show your South hand, along with
the full bidding.
Look at your hand and the full bidding, and visualize
partner’s holding. Then consult:
What Does Partner Have? Did you visualize your
partner’s hand correctly? What did partner’s bids mean?
Were they forcing?
Thoughts give additional ideas on the bidding
sequence. Progressively, negative inferences are noted,
based on what partner might have but did not bid.
Quiz Questions & Answers are presented at the end of
each chapter. Not Sure? Consult the suggested deals to
review the concept – maybe with your partner!

iv | Introduction
 The Overall Picture for Opening Bids
based on Total (High Card plus Length) Points

0-12 Points = Pass or bid Preemptively

6-10 Points =
= Bid 2♦/♥/♠ Preemptive (with a good* 6-card suit)
= 3♣/♦/♥/♠ Preemptive (shows a good* 7-card suit)
= 4♣/♦/♥/♠ Preemptive (shows a good* 8-card suit)
= 5♣/♦ Preemptive (shows a good* 9+ card suit)
*good means 2 of top 3, or 3 of top 5 honors
13-21 Points = Bid 1 of a suit (♥/♠ with 5, ♣/♦ with 3+)
15-17 Points balanced hand = Bid 1NT
18-19 Points balanced hand = Bid 1 of a suit; then
jump to 2NT (too strong for 1NT, too weak for 2NT)
20-21 Points balanced hand = Bid 2NT
22+ Points any distribution = Bid 2♣ (forcing); then
rebid your long suit (forcing),
or show a balanced hand (not forcing) with:
22-24 Points = 2NT
25-27 Points = 3NT
28-30 Points = 4NT
(etc. by 3-point ranges)

Opener’s Balanced Hand Bids

13-14 – Open One of a Suit, rebid 1NT

15-17 – Open 1NT
18-19 – Open One of a Suit, rebid 2NT
20-21 – Open 2NT
22-24 – Open 2♣, rebid 2NT
25-27 – Open 2♣, rebid 3NT
28-30 – Open 2♣, rebid 4NT,
(etc. by 3-point ranges)

The Overall Picture for Opening Bids | v

vi | What Does Partner Have?
 Review of the Basics

Counting Total Points

Total Points equal both:
High Card Points: A/K/Q/J = 4/3/2/1 points, and
Length Points: 5/6/7/8-card suits = add 1/2/3/4 points

Total Points needed for Partscore, Game & Slam

Partscore = fewer than 26 points
Notrump Game = about 25 points
Major (♥/♠) & 3NT Game = about 26 points
Minor (♣/♦) Game = about 29 points
Small Slam = about 33 points
Grand Slam = about 37 points

Dummy Points – with 3+ card support for Opener’s Suit,

Responder adds:
Void = 5 points
Singleton = 3 points
Doubleton = 1 point

Hand Evaluation (suits only)*

Opener Strength Responder

13 to 15 Minimum 6 to 9 = Partscore
16 to 18 Medium 10 to 12 = Game
19 to 21 Maximum 13+ = Slam

A Minimum + Medium pair may explore for Game

A Medium + Maximum pair may explore for Slam

*some partnerships may have slightly

different pointcount ranges.

Review of the Basics | 1

 Chapter One
OPENING 1NT

1NT Opener = 15-17 balanced HCPs (no voids or

singletons, not more than one doubleton).

Balanced Hand Responder Bids

• 0 to 22+ Points
Example Deals #1-10
Quiz Questions & Answers
Unbalanced Hand Responder Bids
• Stayman
Example Deals #11-16
Quiz Questions & Answers
• Jacoby Transfers
Example Deals #17-22
Quiz Questions & Answers
• 4-4, 5-4, 5-5 in the Majors
Example Deals #23-30
Quiz Questions & Answers
• Relay to the Minors
Example Deals #31-32
Quiz Questions & Answers

2 | What Does Partner Have?

 Responder’s Bids to Opening 1NT
Point Range Chart

Standard Bids
0-7 balanced Points = Pass
8-9 balanced Points = 2NT* (asks Opener to Pass or Bid 3NT)
10-15 balanced Points = 3NT

Quantitative Bids (by 2-Point Ranges)

16-17 balanced Points = 4NT* (asks Opener to Pass or Bid 6NT)
18-19 balanced Points = 6NT
20-21 balanced Points = 5NT* (asks Opener to Bid 6NT or 7NT)
22+ balanced Points = 7NT

*Responder’s 2NT, 4NT, and 5NT bids ask Opener to further

describe his 1NT hand:
• 15 points is minimum
• 16 points requires judgment**
• 17 points is maximum

Note: When both partners have balanced hands, it’s the

“quantity” of points that determines how high to bid (hence
“Quantitative” Bids).

**16-Point Hands Requiring Judgment

• How do I know if my 16 point hand is ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
• Do I upgrade or downgrade my 16-point hand?

Possible considerations may be:

• If your honor cards are working together in the same
suits, perhaps upgrade your hand.
• If your honor cards are split up in different suits, perhaps
downgrade your hand.
• If you have a good 5-card minor suit, perhaps upgrade
your hand.

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 3

 Deal #1
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ Q53
♥ J7
♦ KJ84
♣ Q987

West North East South

1NT Pass 2NT
Pass Pass Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
Pass. After my 2NT bid, partner’s pass shows a minimum
15 point hand, or a bad 16 point hand. Partner does not
have 17 points.

Thoughts
Partner’s pass shows a minimum 15 point hand, or a bad
16 point hand.

4 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #2
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ 83
♥ 96
♦ KQ10962
♣ K53

West North East South

1NT Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
3NT. Shows a maximum hand.

Thoughts
I have a 6+ card minor suit to suggest as trump, but with
an otherwise balanced hand and only 8 points, I bid 2NT.
Partner bids 3NT with a maximum hand. When my
dummy hand is tabled, partner should be delighted to
see my 6-card minor suit. Even with our known 8+ card
minor fit, partner will prefer a NT contract, which scores
higher.

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 5

 Deal #3
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ J103
♥ A107
♦ K98
♣ A987

West North East South

1NT Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
Pass. Partner knows I am captain, so passes.

Thoughts
Partner, having fully described her hand with 1NT,
recognizes that I am captain of the auction, and accepts
my placement of the auction. Even with a maximum of
17 points, partner does not pursue slam.
Partner passes.

6 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #4
Dealer South
North
West East
South
♠ AJ102
♥ KQJ
♦ J94
♣ K94

West North East South

1NT
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

3NT. Shows 10-15 points, and no 4+ card major, or may
show a 6-card minor suit.

Thoughts
I assume that partner has 10-15 balanced points.

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 7

 Deal #5
Dealer South
North
West East
South
♠ AK42
♥ QJ54
♦ QJ5
♣ Q2

West North East South

1NT
Pass 4NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

4NT. Quantitative Bid showing 16-17 balanced points,
asking me to further describe my 1NT bid: pass with
minimum 15, use judgment with 16, bid 6NT with
maximum 17.

Thoughts
I pass – showing a minimum 15 point hand.

8 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #6
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ Q53
♥ A76
♦ KJ8
♣ AK82

West North East South

1NT Pass 4NT
Pass 6NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
6NT. Good 16, or 17, points.

Thoughts
Partner bids 6NT – showing a maximum 17 point hand,
or a good 16 point hand.

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 9

 Deal #7
Dealer South
North
West East
South
♠ AK64
♥ KQ2
♦ Q105
♣ J102

West North East South

1NT
Pass 6NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

6NT. Quantitative Bid showing 18-19 balanced points.

Thoughts
After my 1NT bid, I recognize that partner is captain of
the auction, and accept her placement of the auction. I
pass.

10 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #8
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ QJ5
♥ AJ7
♦ AK8
♣ AKQ8

West North East South

1NT Pass 7NT
Pass Pass Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
Pass. What else can partner do?

Thoughts
I bid 7NT (Quantitative Bid, showing 22+ balanced
points).
Since I am captain of the auction, partner accepts my
placement of the auction (what else can she do?)

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 11

 Deal #9
Dealer South
North
West East
South
♠ 1095
♥ AJ7
♦ KJ8
♣ AQ98

West North East South

1NT
Pass 5NT Pass 6NT
Pass Pass Pass

What Does Partner Have?

5NT. Quantitative Bid showing 20-21 balanced points,
asking me to further describe my 1NT bid: bid 6NT
with minimum 15, use judgment with 16, bid 7NT with
maximum 17.
Pass.

Thoughts
I bid 6NT – showing a minimum 15 point hand.

12 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #10
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ QJ5
♥ A7
♦ AK8
♣ AK983

West North East South

1NT Pass 5NT
Pass 7NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. 15-17 balanced points.
7NT. Good 16, or 17, points.

Thoughts
Partner bids 7NT – showing a maximum 17 point hand.
I pass (!)

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 13

 Chapter One — Quiz Questions
Balanced Hand Responses to Opening 1NT

a. South: ♠ AQ109 ♥ KQ43 ♦ K98 ♣ Q7

West North East South
1NT
Pass 4NT Pass ???

b. South: ♠ AQ109 ♥ KQ43 ♦ K98 ♣ Q7

West North East South
1NT Pass ???

c. South: ♠ KQ97 ♥ AQ72 ♦ K98 ♣ QJ

West North East South
1NT
Pass 5NT Pass ???

d. South: ♠ KQJ10 ♥ KQJ3 ♦ KQ8 ♣ KJ

West North East South
1NT Pass ???

e. South: ♠ AQ109 ♥ KJ43 ♦ K98 ♣ Q7

West North East South
1NT
Pass 2NT Pass ???

f. South: ♠ Q109 ♥ K73 ♦ K982 ♣ J76

West North East South
1NT Pass ???

14 | What Does Partner Have?

 Chapter One — Quiz Answers
Balanced Hand Responses to Opening 1NT

a. Pass/6NT. You’d pass with 15, bid 6NT with 17, but
you have 16. You choose. Partner is showing 16-17
balanced points. You have 32 or 33 combined HCPs.
Not Sure? See Deals #5 and #6.

b. 4NT. You show a balanced 16-17 HCPs, asking partner

to Pass or bid 6NT.
Not Sure? See Deals #5 and #6.

c. 7NT. Partner is showing 20-21 balanced HCPs, asking

you to bid 6NT with a minimum or 7NT with a maximum.
You’ve got the max!
Not Sure? Review Deal #10.

d. 5NT. You show 20-21 balanced HCPs. Now it’s up to

partner to bid 6NT or 7NT. Partner has at least 3 Aces!
Not Sure? Review Deals #9 and #10.

e. Pass. Partner is showing 8-9 balanced HCPs, asking

you to Pass with a minimum, bid 3NT with a maximum,
and show judgment with 16. You’re minimum.
Not Sure? Review Deal #1.

f. 2NT. You show 8-9 balanced HCPs, asking partner to

Pass or bid 3NT.
Not Sure? Review Deals #1 and #2.

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 15

16 | What Does Partner Have?
Unbalanced Hand Responses to
Opening 1NT – Stayman

Stayman Review
• After partner opens 1NT, Responder, with 8 or
more points and at least one 4-card major, makes
an artificial bid of 2♣ (Stayman) asking 1NT
opener if he has a 4-card major. Forcing.
• Opener rebids
o 2♦ with no 4-card major, or
o 2♥ with four hearts (and maybe four
spades), or
o 2♠ with four spades (and denies four
hearts)
o with both 4-card majors, opener rebids
“up-the-line” – hearts first
• Without a major fit, Responder rebids
o 2NT (with 8-9 points), or
o 3NT (with 10-15 points)
• With a major fit, Responder rebids
o 3 of agreed major (with 8-9 points), or
o 4 of agreed major (with 10-15 points)
Example Deals #11-15

“Garbage” Stayman Review

• After partner opens 1NT, “Garbage” Stayman is a
2♣ response with 0-7 points, shortness (singleton
or void) in clubs only, and no 5-card or longer
major suit.
• With this rare and weak hand, Responder knows
that opener will be better off playing in any suit
except clubs. So, responder bids Stayman, and
passes whatever opener rebids.
Example Deal #16
Quiz Questions & Answers

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 17

 Deal #11
Dealer North
North
West East
South
♠ A1098
♥ 874
♦ K103
♣ J63

West North East South

1NT Pass 2♣
Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT
Pass Pass Pass

What Does Partner Have?

1NT. (15-17 balanced points).
2♦. After my Stayman bid – forcing, partner shows no
4- card major.
Pass. After my 2NT rebid, partner shows a minimum 15
points, or a bad 16 points.

Thoughts
I start with Stayman, and not finding a fit, rebid 2NT
showing 8-9 balanced points. Partner’s pass shows a
minimum 15 points, or a bad 16 points. Partner does not
have 17 points.

18 | What Does Partner Have?

Deal #12
Dealer South
North
West East
South
♠ AJ10
♥ KQJ6
♦ J942
♣ K4

West North East South

1NT
Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥
Pass 2NT Pass Pass
Pass

What Does Partner Have?

2♣. Stayman convention – forcing: showing at least one
4-card major and 8+ points, and asking me to name my
4+ card major (“up the line”: hearts first if I have 4 hearts
and 4 spades), or bid 2♦ if I don’t have a 4+ card major.
2NT. Shows 8-9 points, and four spades (hearts wasn’t a
fit).

Thoughts
Answering Stayman, I bid 2♥ showing 4+ hearts (I could
also have 4 spades). Partner bids 2NT to show no heart
fit and 8-9 points. I now know that partner’s 4-card suit
is spades, with 8-9 points. Without four spades to go
with partner’s, and with a minimum hand, I pass (with
17, or a good 16 points, I would bid 3NT).

Chapter One: Opening 1NT | 19

 NOVICE

A Bidding Review for You

and Partner
In Book One, the opponents pass. You see only your South hand.

Analyze partner’s bids. What do they promise? Deny?

Are they forcing? What cards and points are required?

Review a Bidding Concept.

Bid Example Deals.

Consult What Does Partner Have? and Thoughts.

Take the Quizzes and check your Answers.

Were you right? Not Sure? Refer to the suggested deals.

Timothy LeVan is owner & founder of the Camp Hill

(Pennsylvania) Bridge Club, and an ACBL-accredited club
director, teacher, and soon Silver Life Master. He is also
accredited by Easybridge!, and Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge.
Formerly a classical pianist, he has performed with many
singers from the Metropolitan and New York City Opera
companies. He has two piano CDs, and two classical song
translation books available on Amazon.com.

An Honors eBook from Master Point Press