Inverted Minor 3 versions

First Version

• After 1 of a minor, a simple raise to 2 is inverted, and forcing to at least 2NT or 3 of the minor
• A jump raise to 3 is preemptive, showing less than 6 HCP and at least five (four if diamonds) card support. All raises deny a four-card major suit.

Opener's rebids after partner has bid 2 of our minor are:

• 2NT shows a balanced hand with minimum values (12 or a bad 13) and promises stoppers in both majors.
• A jump rebid of 3NT shows a balanced hand of 18-19 HCP
• A rebid of a new suit at the 3 level is a splinter. In all cases except one it will be a jump. Opener promises more than minimum opening values - at least a sound 14 HCP
• With all other hands opener rebids to show stoppers up the line. Opener's new suit bid promises a stopper for a possible NT contract. Opener will not bypass any suit containing a stopper unless the bidding went 1 - 2 - 4 because that would be a splinter

Responder is the only member of the partnership who knows whether the single raise was made on game invitational values or on game forcing values. When opener shows probable minimum values, responder has the responsibility of making sure that the auction does not go awry. When responder's values are game invitational, no call can be made that takes the auction beyond the 3 level in the original minor.When responder's values are enough for game, no call can be made below the three level in the agreed minor that opener might be able to pass. If opener's second bid is 2NT guaranteeing both majors stopped at least then responder if looking for 3NT and with the other minor stopped would bid it but what if they are still looking for 3NT but only have a partial stopper in the unbid minor.The answer is to bid that suit.That tells partner that you have a partial stopper and if they have at least a partial stopper then lets play 3NT. Opener can use their judgement knowing partner has a partial stopper with say 3 useless cards in that minor and still feel that 3NT is the best spot because with a good split in the opposition's holding in that suit, 3NT is still the best contract. With no hope of making a 3NT contract and no prospect of game or slam in our minor then the opportunity to get out exists. If diamonds are our suit we should be able to get out at 3 and if clubs are our suit then we should be able to get out at 4. Keep in mind that once a suit has been denied returning to your suit is an attempt to sign off.

Examples:

1	Pass	2	Pass
2NT*	Pass	3**	Pass
3***

* minimum, at least both majors stopped, ** partial stopper, ***lets quit

1	Pass	2	Pass
2NT*	Pass	3**	Pass
4***

* minimum, at least both majors stopped, ** partial stopper, ***lets quit

2nd Version

• After 1 of a minor, a simple raise to 2 is inverted, showing 11+ HCP and 5 cards in the suit, but it is NOT a game force.
• A jump raise to 3 is preemptive, showing less than 6 HCP and at least five card support. Both raises deny a four-card major suit.

Opener's rebids after partner has bid 2 of our minor are: BID STOPPERS UP THE LINE

• 2 over 2 shows a diamond stopper
• 2 shows a heart stopper (usually 3+ hearts), no diamond stopper.
• 2 shows a spade stopper (usually 3+ spades), no diamond or heart stopper.
• 2NT shows a minimum balanced hand with both majors stopped.
• 3 of opener's minor: A catchall bid denying the ability to make any other bid.
• 3NT shows 18 or 19 points with all unbid suits stopped.

Responder's second bid after opener bids a new suit at the 2 level are:

• 2NT with a minimum balanced hand with all un-bid suits stopped.
• 3 of openers minor denying stoppers in the unbid suits.
• 3NT with 13-15 and a balanced hand
• A new suit, showing a stopper.
• 4 of opener's minor: 1430 Minor Suit Keycard.

3rd Version

• After 1 of a minor, a simple raise to 2 is inverted, and game forcing.
• A jump shift in the other minor shows a limit raise.
• A jump raise to 3 is preemptive, showing less than 6 HCP and at least five (four if diamonds) card support. All raises deny a four-card major suit.

Opener's rebids after partner has bid 2 of our minor are: BID STOPPERS UP THE LINE

• 2 over 2 shows a diamond stopper.
• 2 shows a heart stopper (usually 3+ hearts), no diamond stopper.
• 2 shows a spade stopper (usually 3+ spades), no diamond or heart stopper.
• 2NT shows a balanced hand promising both majors stopped at least.
• 3 of opening minor is a catchall bid denying the ability to make any other bid.
• 3NT shows 18-19 HCP with a balanced hand with all unbid suits stopped.
• A jump in a new suit shows a Splinter
• 4 of opener's minor is 1430 Minor Suit Keycard

Responder's second bid after opener bids a new suit at the 2 level are:

• 2NT shows 12-15 HCP with a minimum balanced hand and with all un-bid suits stopped.
• 3 of opener's minor denying stoppers in the unbid suits.
• 3Nt shows 16+HCP with a balanced hand, with all unbid suits stopped.
• A new suit showing a stopper.
• 4 of opener's minor: 1430 Minor Suit Keycard

A jump shift in the other minor shows a limit raise.

After 1 - 3, cuebidding can get tricky. If you want be be in 3NT and have the majors stop then bid 3NT and hope for the best. A bid of 3 would deny a spade stopper just like a bid of 3 denies a heart stopper. I hate to say this because I like think there is a bid to describe everything but 1 - 3 can mess you up. Being in 3NT without a club stopper [hopefully they break 4-4]. Someone without a better system will end up in the same spot so you will have company. Try reading Bob Crosby's take on Inverted Minors. Very Interesting.

A clear disadvantage jump shift is a limit raises is that they take up bidding room, especially when one bids 3 after 1. Now it is more difficult to show stoppers since one must use 3-level bids. For this reason, some jump shift after a 1 bid, and do not use it over the 1 bid. This is sometimes referred to as partial Criss Cross bids. Other plays “Reverse” Criss Cross; then the inverted bid and weak Jump Shift bids are reversed