There are one or two situations where responder is best fabricating a response in a suit containing only three cards. Last lesson, we saw that with a 3 ♠4♥ 3♦ 3♣ shape (and 10+ points), you should respond 2 ♣ to partner’s 1 ♠ opener because 2 ♥ shows 5+ cards (and the unwieldy 2 NT/3 NT is always to be avoided). Another situation where fabrication is best is where you have a game-going hand with support for partner’s minor-suit opener, yet your hand is flat enough to necessitate staying below 3 NT. Best is to respond in the other minor.

Clearly it’s best to fabricate a response in a minor rather than in a major, for partner is less likely to drive you to game there. And if you don’t bid 1 /2 ♣, then what do you do? Punt 3 NT and find partner with a singleton heart, meaning that 5 ♣/ or even 6 ♣/ is easy, with 3 NT failing? Or bid 5 ♣/ , an absurd 11-trick game with two flat hands facing one another and 3 NT easy?

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