An opening bid of One-of-a-Suit could contain any number of points between 12 (even slightly fewer using the Rule of 20) and 19 (with more, opener would normally start at the two-level). Because opener could have 19 points, responder must keep the bidding open with six+ points.

Saying that you should always respond with six+ points (as I am) is not the same as saying that you should pass with all hands with fewer than six points: there are plenty of four and five point hands with which you should respond: shapely hands which either fit partner – or perhaps misfit.

Exercise: Would you respond to partner’s 1 ♥ opener with these – if so what?

Hand (i): Yes – 1 ♠. Partner might have 19 points. You must keep the bidding open – the Six-point Rule.

Hand (ii): No – Pass. This is not one of those five-point hands that should respond. Little shape and a bunch of queens and jacks.

Hand (iii): Yes – 2 ♥ . The four-card support and singleton spade (worth about three extra support points) make this a clear 2 ♥ bid.

Hand (iv): Yes – 1 ♠. The combination of having just one card in partner’s suit and five cards in a higher-ranking suit make a 1 ♠ response clearly winning Bridge.

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