Inverted Minors (a must with weak no trumps): Standard: The raise from 1 to 2 of a minor shows 4+ support and 6-9 hcp. The raise from 1 to 3 is "usually" used as a limit raise showing 5+ support and 10-12 hcp. (Stronger raises are made by bidding another suit and then jumping later-- even bidding a 3 card suit if strong enough.) Inverted minors ideas: The auction 1C-p-2C-all pass is rare. Most people will balance the 2C with a takeout double or a suit bid. Also the double raise of a minor has always been troublesome. If the 1-3 is limit then if partner continues bidding the partnership may get too high, even at the four level. Say: 1C-p-3C-p; 3D-p-4C and now you can no longer play at 3NT. Inverted minors (denies a 4 card major): 1-3 raise: The 1 to 3 raise is used to show a weak hand with a bad 9 or less with 5+ card support. Opener only goes on with a strong hand (17+). 1-2 raise: The 1 to 2 raise is unlimited in hcp. Responder has 4+ support in the suit--- the final contract may be in the minor or in NT. The bottom of the 2 raise is generally 9 hcp, but could be a good 7 or 8 (good = 6+ support). Opener must rebid (unless partner is a passed hand) descriptively: 3minor: weak hand with the minor 2NT: balanced--- 15-17 if you're playing weak NT or 11-15 if you're not 3NT: balanced 18-20 new suit: non-minimum hand with a control in the suit (this and partner's rebid should probably be a controlled suit and not necessarily a first round control) 4minor: strong hand with the minor--- it's probably better to play this as something else such as _blackwood_ After opener makes their rebid, responder must also rebid descriptively: pass: only the 3minor rebid or the 11-15 balanced hand 3minor: minimum hand 2NT: showing a balanced hand new suit: a control 4minor: strong unbalanced hand --- probably better to play as _blackwood_ *NOTE: if either partner has made a non-minimum rebid, the auction is GAME-FORCING (at least to 3NT) 1-4/5 raise: these are preemptive, if you had a strong hand you should bid 2 of the minor IN COMPETITION: less than 2 of the minor competition: if you can make 2 of the minor raise then inverted minors are still on. 1C-1H-2C this shows a strong hand 1C-1NT-3C showing a weak hand with clubs 1D-2C-5D preemptive more than 2 of the minor competition: the cue bid of their suit is strong the 3 of the minor bid is about a limit raise jumps in the minor are preemptive 1D-2S-3D about a limit raise with 5+ diamonds 1C-2D-4C preemptive 1D-2H-3H strong hand more than 3 of the minor competition: cue bid: very strong 4 of the minor: enough strength for the level jumps in the minor: preemptive or to make double: penalty or negative depending agreement 1C-3H-4C enough strength for the 4 level 1C-3S-4S damn strong, probably slam-searching 1D-4H-5D enough strength for the 5 level 1D-4C-5D preemptive or to make 1D-3H-dbl penalty or negative