Inverted Minors

Inverted minors reverse the usual meaning of responder's raises of 1♣ and 1♦. The single raise becomes strong and forcing, and the jump raise becomes weak and pre-emptive. Traditional bidding has them the other way round, with 1♦ - 2♦ a weak raise of 6 to 10 points and 1♦ - 3♦ an invitation of 10 to 12.

For minor suits the traditional order is wrong. A good raise wants room to look for 3NT, where most minor-suit games are played. A weak raise wants to take room away from the opponents, who probably have a major-suit fit.

After a 1♣ or 1♦ opening, and with no interference, responder's raises mean:

The same applies over 1♣. The strong single raise has no upper limit and can be a limit raise or a hand with slam interest. What it promises is support and at least invitational values, with no four-card major. Responder with a major always bids it first, because a major-suit fit scores better than a minor.

How much support the raise needs

For diamonds, four cards are enough, since a 1♦ opening almost always shows four or more. For clubs, five cards are safer, because 1♣ can be opened on three. Many partnerships accept four good clubs in practice, especially with a strong hand. The weak jump raise usually shows five-card support.

Once the strong raise is made, the partnership's first target is 3NT. Both partners bid stoppers up the line. A new suit at the two level shows a stopper there and denies one in any suit it skips. A return to three of the minor shows a minimum with no further stoppers to show.

Opener's 2NT is usually 12 to 14, since a balanced 15 to 17 opens 1NT. Some partnerships, including the Bidding Architect's library tree, let 2NT also cover 18 to 19, with opener raising to 3NT on the next round. Responder continues the same way. After 1♣ - 2♣ - 2♦, responder bids 2♥ with a heart stopper, 2♠ with a spade stopper but not a heart one, or 2NT and 3NT with both covered.

Had North held no club stopper, North would have rebid 3♦, and the partnership would have looked for five of a minor instead of a risky 3NT.

The jump to three of the minor shows a weak hand, about 0 to 6 points, with five or more trumps. It takes away the opponents' one and two levels, often just when they have a major-suit fit. A typical hand over 1♦ is ♠85 ♥942 ♦Q10764 ♣J63. Vulnerability matters, and the jump needs more care when you are vulnerable against not vulnerable opponents. Opener passes unless holding a hand that can bid game.

• After an overcall, most pairs play inverted minors off. Raises revert to their natural meanings, and the cue bid of the opponents' suit shows the strong raise.
• After a takeout double, many pairs keep them on, with redouble or 2NT available for the strong hands. Agree which.
• By a passed hand, the single raise shows about 10 to 11 points, since responder has already denied an opening bid, and it is no longer forcing.
• Criss-cross raises are a variant in which the jump to the other minor (1♣ - 2♦, 1♦ - 3♣) shows the limit raise and the single raise keeps a wider range.

• Raising with a four-card major. A major-suit fit is worth looking for first, so bid the major.
• Raising 1♣ on four small. Opener may have three clubs. Prefer a natural notrump response or a new suit.
• Passing the strong raise. 1♦ - 2♦ is forcing for one round; opener must bid again even with a minimum.
• Jumping to 3NT too fast. With stoppers in doubt, show them up the line. The strong raise exists to let you check before choosing between 3NT and five of a minor.
• Making the weak jump with a good hand. 1♦ - 3♦ is pre-emptive. With 7 to 9 points and support, bid a natural 1NT or a new suit.

Inverted minors fit well into two over one and SAYC-based systems alongside Bergen raises for the majors. If opener rebids in notrump after a different response, new minor forcing is the usual way to look for a major fit.

What are inverted minors in bridge?

Inverted minors swap the meaning of responder's raises of a 1♣ or 1♦ opening. The single raise shows 10 or more points and is forcing for one round, and the jump raise is weak and pre-emptive. The strong raise denies a four-card major.

Is an inverted minor raise forcing?

Yes, for one round. The auction can still stop at 2NT or three of the minor if both partners show minimum hands, unless the partnership agrees to play it as game forcing.

How many cards do you need for an inverted minor raise?

Usually four for diamonds and five for clubs, since a 1♣ opening can be made on three cards. The weak jump raise usually shows five.

Are inverted minors on after an overcall?

Most partnerships play them off after an overcall, using a cue bid for the strong raise. After a takeout double, many keep them on.

What are criss-cross raises?

A variant of inverted minors in which a jump to the other minor shows a limit raise: 1♣ - 2♦ for clubs and 1♦ - 3♣ for diamonds.