Rebids by responder range from a “sign off” with 6-9 points, a raise or takeout at the next level with 10-12 points, to more ambitious offerings to show 13-15 points. 
Above this remember that he will already have signalled this with his first response to an opening bid—a jump takeout.
Sign off rebids showing 6-9
On his rebid responder will pass unless he is required to show preference:
Here are some examples of weak rebids by responder showing 6-9 points:
1] South as responder
♠ A J 8 6
♥ 9 7 4
♦ 10 8
♣ Q 8 5 3
| North | South |
|---|---|
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 2♦ | 2♥ |
South has to choose between ♥s and ♦s. With the above hand he responds 2♥s on his rebid. His “preference” bid does not constitute a raise nor does it show additional values.
If South instead had only two hearts, but three diamonds then ♦s would be the preferred suit and he would pass, leaving the partnership in a 2♦ contract. If South had five spades and, say, doubletons in hearts and diamonds he might well bid 2♠ on his second response to show his long suit as a negative preference.
In the next hand, South has a long, if weak spade holding:
2] South as responder
♠ Q 10 9 6 5 4
♥ 7 3
♦ K 8
♣ 9 4 2
The following three bidding sequences show South is only ‘correcting’ the proposed partnership contract. Note that a preference bid and a correcting bid can agree a partner’s suit with as few as two-card support:
| North | South |
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 2♦ | 2♠ |
| North | South |
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 1NT | 2♠ |
| North | South |
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 2NT | 3♠ |
Stronger rebids showing 10-15
With stronger hands South will not pass.
1] South as responder
♠ A Q J 8 7
♥ 10 2
♦ K J 4
♣ J 8 3
| North | South |
|---|---|
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 2♣ | 2NT |
South’s No Trump bid indicates a stop in the unmentioned suit (♦s) and a specific point count. In this case 2NT shows 10-12 points. Incidentally 3NT would have shown 13-15 points.
2] South as responder
♠ A J 9 3
♥ 7 6
♦ K 10 9 6 3
♣ Q 8
| North | South |
|---|---|
| 1♣ | 1♦ |
| 1♠ | 3♠ |
South shows his longest suit first, and then jumps to a ♠ raise to show 10-12 points.
3 ] South as responder
♠ A J 10 7
♥ Q J 8 5
♦ K Q 10
♣ 8 4
| North | South |
|---|---|
| 1♥ | 1♠ |
| 2♥ | 4♥ |
With 13-15 points South first bids a 1♠ takeout as a Delayed Game Raise. North repeats his suit as he has a five-carder. South takes him to Game in hearts.
Summary for responder’s rebid
1] If North raises his suit on the rebid to the next available level, South will respond as follows:
| Points | South's rebid options are: |
|---|---|
| 6-9 | Pass or rebid a good 6-carder |
| 10-12 | Raise opener below game level |
| Bid 2NT | |
| Bid a new suit (Game will depend on fit) | |
| 13-15 | Raise direct to Game |
| Bid a new suit | |
| Reverse bid | |
| Jump shift a good 6-carder | |
| Bid 3NT | |
| Fourth suit forcing, see below |
2] If North bids a new suit on his rebid at the minimum level:
| Points | South's rebid options are: |
|---|---|
| 6-9 | Show preference by passing, or responding at the lowest level |
| 10-12 | Raise the new suit, or raise the first bid suit |
3] If North bids 1NT on his rebid following a suit opener, this shows 15-16 points. If he reverse bids two suits this shows opener has 16-19 points. The rebid by responder is fairly straight forward.
4] If opener bids 2NT on his rebid this is the Wolff Convention (see below).
5] If opener makes a jump shift continue bidding until Game is reached.
To continue reading go to: Forcing response
By Nigel Benetton – based on the UK Acol Bridge Bidding System
Last updated: Saturday, 8th May 2021