Chilli: simple universal bridge bidding: neutral one of a major

A neutral one of a major:

shows at least four cards
is forcing except as an opening bid.

Failure to bid a major at the one-level denies a four-card holding in the suit, regardless of what is held elsewhere. With both hearts and spades, bid 1 regardless of relative lengths.

As a response, the bid is usually minimum-plus, but is strength-neutral opposite an opening 1.

Partner will always show four-card support for the major immediately, and will also do so with three-card support, a minimum hand and a singleton if the alternative would be 1NT or pass. Raising one of a major will make the auction fit.

	West	East	South
4		1	pass
Q72	?
A9543
J865

Raise to 2

, a fit bid. Partner may have only four hearts, but with your minimum hand with ruffing potential opposite partner's limited opening, this may well be the best denomination.

	West	North	East	South
			1any	pass
	1

Unlimited and forcing, showing at least four spades and denying four hearts. Responder may well have a longer minor suit.

	West	North	East	South
			1	pass
	2

Responder does not have a four-card major.

Hand A	Hand B	Hand C	Hand D
AQ84	AQ84	AQ842	AQ842
K8732	K873	K873	K8732
K92	K92	K92	K9
2	32	2	2

On all these hands, open or overcall 1, and respond 1 to 1 or 1.

1 and 1 as openings are considered further in the neutral openings section.

NEXT: neutral one no-trump

Neutral one of a major

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