Reverses in Bridge: Show Extra Strength with Higher Rebids

You open 1♥️ with a nice 17-count and partner responds 1♠️. You’ve got four good diamonds too. Should you just bid 2♦️?

Hold on. That innocent-looking 2♦️ bid is actually a reverse - one of bridge’s most powerful and misunderstood tools. Get it right and you’ll describe strong hands with perfect precision. Get it wrong and you’ll either miss games or steamroll partner into hopeless contracts.

Let’s break down exactly what reverses are, why they work the way they do, and how to use them without getting into trouble.

What Is a Reverse?

A reverse happens when opener bids a new suit at the two-level that’s higher-ranking than their first suit. The key word here is “higher-ranking.”

Here’s what that looks like:

Reverses (higher suit at the 2-level):

  • 1♣️ - 1♥️ - 2♦️ (diamonds rank higher than clubs)
  • 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️ (hearts rank higher than diamonds)

Not reverses:

  • 1♦️ - 1♥️ - 1♠️ (one-level bid)
  • 1♥️ - 1♠️ - 2♣️ (clubs rank lower than hearts)
  • 1♠️ - 2♣️ - 2♦️ (responder’s bidding, not opener’s)

The reverse is specifically about opener’s second bid, and it must be at the two-level in a suit that ranks higher than the first.

Why Reverses Show Extra Strength

Here’s the beautiful logic behind reverses. Let’s say you open 1♦️ with a minimum hand, partner responds 1♠️, and you bid 2♥️ (a reverse). Now partner hates hearts and wants to go back to your first suit, diamonds. What can they bid?

They have to bid 3♦️. You’ve forced them to the three-level with a hand that might have nothing. That’s not fair unless you’ve got the goods to back it up.

Compare this to a non-reverse auction:

  • 1♥️ - 1♠️ - 2♣️

If partner prefers hearts, they can bid 2♥️ and you’re still safely at the two-level. No harm done.

But after a reverse:

  • 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️

Partner needs 3♦️ to get back to your first suit. You’ve pushed the auction higher, which means you need extra strength to justify taking that risk.

This is why reverses are forcing. Partner can’t pass because you might have a hand too strong for any simple rebid. They need to keep bidding until they find out exactly how strong you are.

Point Requirements for Reversing

The standard requirement for a reverse is 16+ HCP. Some partnerships play 17+, but 16 is more common in modern bridge.

Why 16? Because you’re forcing partner to keep bidding, possibly to the three-level, and you need enough strength to:

  1. Make it likely you’re not too high
  2. Have a good shot at game if partner has a decent hand
  3. Justify forcing them to bid again

What if you have 15 or fewer points? You can’t reverse. You’ll need to:

  • Rebid your first suit (1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♦️)
  • Bid 1NT if your hand fits (usually 12-14 balanced)
  • Raise partner’s suit if you have support
  • Pass if partner bid your second suit

What’s the upper limit? Reverses can be quite strong - even 19-20 points if your hand doesn’t fit other bids. The auction stays forcing, so you’ll have room to show your extra strength later.

Shape Requirements: First Suit Must Be Longer

Here’s a critical rule that trips up many players: your first suit must be at least as long as your second suit. Usually it’s longer.

Why? Because if partner prefers your first suit (which they’ll often do, since your second suit forced them higher), you want to have length there. Also, you opened that suit, implying it’s your primary feature.

Typical shapes for reversing:

  • 5-4 (five cards in first suit, four in second): 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️ with 5 diamonds, 4 hearts
  • 6-4: 1♥️ - 1♠️ - 3♣️ (jump reverse, even stronger) with 6 hearts, 4 clubs
  • 6-5: 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️ with 6 diamonds, 5 hearts (you’ll show the extra length later)

Shapes you DON’T reverse with:

  • 4-4: Not enough length in either suit
  • 4-5: Your “first suit” is actually shorter - wrong shape
  • 5-5: Depends on partnership agreements, but usually you treat the higher suit as primary

The one exception some play: with exactly 4-4 in the minors and 17+ points, you might open 1♣️ and reverse into 2♦️, planning to clarify your shape later. But this is partnership-dependent.

Responder’s Rebids After a Reverse

Partner reverses - now what? You’re in a forcing auction, so passing isn’t an option. Here are your choices:

1. Bid 2NT (Waiting Bid)

The most common and flexible response. Shows about 8-10 points with no clear direction. Opener can now:

  • Rebid their first suit (showing 6+ cards)
  • Rebid their second suit (showing 5-5 or great suit)
  • Support your suit (showing 3-card support)
  • Bid 3NT with a balanced hand

2. Return to Opener’s First Suit at the 3-Level

Shows a preference for opener’s first suit but a minimum response (6-9 points). Not forcing - opener can pass.

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️, bidding 3♦️ says “I prefer diamonds, but I’ve got minimum values.”

3. Raise Opener’s Second Suit

Shows 3+ card support and 8+ points. Usually starts looking for game in that suit.

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️, bidding 3♥️ shows heart support and interest in game.

4. Bid a New Suit

Shows 5+ cards in your original suit or a new 4-card suit, plus enough values to be thinking about game (10+ points). Forcing.

5. Jump to 3NT

Shows a balanced hand with 10-12 points, stoppers in unbid suits, and no great fit for opener’s suits.

6. Support Your Own Suit

With a 6+ card suit and 6-9 points, you can rebid your suit at the three-level. This is not forcing.

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️, bidding 3♠️ shows 6+ spades but minimum values.

Example Auctions

Let’s see reverses in action with complete hands.

Example 1: Classic 5-4 Reverse

Opener:

♠️ A 4
♥️ K Q J 6
♦️ A Q 9 7 3
♣️ 8 2

17 HCP, 5 diamonds, 4 hearts

Responder:

♠️ K J 9 7 3
♥️ 8 2
♦️ K 6
♣️ Q J 7 5

10 HCP

Auction:

  • 1♦️ - 1♠️
  • 2♥️ (reverse, showing 16+ points, 5+ diamonds, 4 hearts)
  • 3♦️ (preference for diamonds, but minimum)
  • Pass (opener has described their hand, responder has minimum)

Result: 3♦️ makes with an overtrick. Game would be too high with only 27 combined points.

Example 2: Reverse Leading to Game

Opener:

♠️ 3
♥️ A K 8 7
♦️ A Q J 9 6
♣️ K 10 4

18 HCP, 5 diamonds, 4 hearts

Responder:

♠️ K Q 8 6 4
♥️ 9 5 2
♦️ K 7
♣️ A 8 3

11 HCP

Auction:

  • 1♦️ - 1♠️
  • 2♥️ (reverse)
  • 2NT (waiting, showing 8-10 points, no clear direction)
  • 3NT (opener shows balanced hand with extras)
  • Pass

Result: 3NT makes easily with 29 combined points and good diamond suit for tricks.

Example 3: Finding the 5-3 Heart Fit

Opener:

♠️ 4 2
♥️ A K Q 6
♦️ A J 9 7 3
♣️ K 5

17 HCP

Responder:

♠️ K J 8 7 3
♥️ 10 7 2
♦️ 8
♣️ A Q 6 4

10 HCP

Auction:

  • 1♦️ - 1♠️
  • 2♥️ (reverse)
  • 3♥️ (showing 3-card support and game interest)
  • 4♥️ (opener jumps to game with fitting cards)
  • Pass

Result: 4♥️ makes with the 5-3 fit playing better than notrump due to responder’s singleton diamond.

Example 4: High Reverse (18+ Points)

Opener:

♠️ A 6
♥️ A K J 9 3
♦️ 4
♣️ A Q J 7 2

19 HCP, 5 hearts, 5 clubs

Responder:

♠️ K Q 9 7 4
♥️ 8 2
♦️ A 9 7 3
♣️ 6 4

9 HCP

Auction:

  • 1♥️ - 1♠️
  • 3♣️ (jump reverse, showing 19+ points and very strong hand)
  • 3♥️ (responder shows preference, minimum)
  • 4♥️ (opener insists on game)
  • Pass

Result: 4♥️ is cold with 28 combined points. The jump reverse (3♣️ instead of 2♣️) showed the massive hand.

Common Mistakes with Reverses

Mistake #1: Reversing with Minimum Opening Hands

You open 1♦️ with 13 HCP, partner bids 1♠️, and you have four hearts. Bidding 2♥️ would be a reverse, but you don’t have the points!

Solution: Rebid 2♦️ with 6+ diamonds, bid 1NT with 12-14 balanced, or raise spades with 3-card support. Never reverse with less than 16 points.

Mistake #2: Reversing with 4-4 Shape

You need 5-4 or better shape to reverse. Opening 1♣️ with four clubs and four diamonds doesn’t qualify.

Solution: With 4-4 in the minors, open 1♦️ (12-15 range) or plan to rebid 1NT. Save reverses for hands with real length.

Mistake #3: Passing Partner’s Minimum Rebid

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️ - 3♦️, opener passes with their 16-point hand, thinking “partner showed minimum.”

Problem: You might be missing game! With 16-17, passing 3♦️ is often right, but with 18-19, you should bid on.

Solution: Remember your hand’s strength. With extras beyond your 16-point minimum, keep bidding.

Mistake #4: Responder Passing the Reverse

Reverses are forcing. You can’t pass. Ever.

Solution: With a terrible hand (6-7 points), bid 2NT or return to opener’s first suit at the three-level. These show minimum values but keep the auction alive until opener clarifies their strength.

Mistake #5: Wrong Suit Order

Opening 1♠️ with 5 hearts and 4 spades creates problems. After 1♠️ - 2♣️ - 2♥️, you’ve reversed with the wrong shape - your “second” suit is actually longer!

Solution: Open 1♥️ with 5 hearts and 4 spades. Your first suit should be your longest.

Mistake #6: Confusing Reverses with Jump Shifts

A jump shift (1♣️ - 1♥️ - 2♠️) and a reverse (1♣️ - 1♥️ - 2♦️) are different beasts.

  • Reverse: Shows 16+ points, forcing one round
  • Jump shift: Shows 19+ points, forcing to game

Don’t mix them up. A simple reverse at the two-level is much more common and doesn’t promise game by itself.

Partnership Agreements to Discuss

1. Minimum Strength: 16 or 17?

Most modern players use 16+ for reverses, but some partnerships prefer 17+. Discuss this with your partner.

Our preference: 16+ gives you more flexibility and is the standard in most systems.

2. Is 2NT After a Reverse Forcing?

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♥️ - 2NT, can opener pass?

Most play: Yes, it’s forcing for one round. Opener must bid again to describe their hand further.

3. What About 4-4 in the Minors?

Some pairs allow reversing with 4-4 minors and 17+ points (opening 1♣️, then bidding 2♦️).

Decide: Do you require 5-4+ shape, or will you allow this exception?

4. Jump Reverse Strength

When you jump reverse (1♥️ - 1♠️ - 3♣️), what does it show? Usually 19+ and strongly suggesting game.

Clarify: What’s your minimum for a jump reverse vs. a simple reverse?

5. Reverses After a Two-Over-One Response

After 1♥️ - 2♣️, is 2♠️ a reverse? Technically yes (spades rank higher than hearts), but in two-over-one systems, this auction is already game-forcing.

Discuss: How do reverses work in game-forcing auctions in your system?

The Bottom Line

Reverses are elegant tools for showing strong, shapely hands. The requirements are simple but firm:

  • 16+ HCP (or 17+ in some partnerships)
  • First suit at least as long as second (usually 5-4 or better)
  • Second suit higher-ranking than first
  • Bid at the two-level

When you reverse, you’re telling partner: “I’m strong enough to force you higher, I have shape, and we need to explore for game.” When partner reverses, you can’t pass - but you can show your weakness by returning to their first suit or bidding a waiting 2NT.

Master the reverse and you’ll describe hands with precision that simple rebids can’t match. Just remember - with great power comes great point count requirements. Don’t reverse without the goods to back it up.

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