Queries, Quips and Quotes

To Raise or Not To Raise?  That is the Question!

When do you raise partner's suit and when do you bid your own suit?  This question has a two fold answer.  It depends on two things.  What suit did partner open and how strong is your hand?

If partner has opened a minor suit, regardless of the strength or your hand, even with a fit (5+ cards in partner's suit) you almost never raise.  You would only raise partner if three circumstances are true:

1) You have no four card or longer major and

2) You have an unbalanced hand

and

3) You have between 6-12 points

If you have a four card or longer major...bid it. 

If you have a balanced hand bid 1NT with 6-10

2NT with 11-12

3NT with 13-15

If you have 13+ points and an unbalanced hand find some other bid rather than a raise.

If partner has opened a major suit and you have a fit (3+ cards in partner's suit) you will always raise partner unless one condition exists:

You have a fit with partner and 13+ points.  With that hand you must bid a new suit and then raise partner's major suit.

If you have a fit and 6-9 points raise to 2

10-12 point raise to 3

5+ trumps, a singleton and a bad hand (less than 7 points) raise to 4...a 'Weak Freak'

In general, if partner opens a major and you have a fit...you know where you want to play.  Partner's major suit!

If partner opens a minor suit and you have a fit....you're still not sure where you're going.  Major?  No Trump? Our Minor?  You need time and bidding room to investigate where to play.