Bridge lessons · Lesson 16 of 26
A New Suit in Reply
Updated 16 October 2026
Partner has opened one of a suit and you have no fit to show. A new suit at the one level needs 6 or more points and four or more cards, a new suit at the two level needs 10 or more, and 1NT, with 6 to 10, takes the hands that have nothing else to bid.
A new suit at the one level
Which suits you can still name at the one level depends on the opening. Over 1♣ you can reply 1♦, 1♥ or 1♠. Over 1♥ only 1♠ is left at the one level, and over 1♠ there is no room at all.
The bid shows the length and a minimum of 6 points, but no upper limit. A reply of 1♠ could be a hand of 7 points or one of 17, and you will make the difference clear on your next turn. When more than one suit is possible, these rules choose.
- Over a minor opening, bid a major first, even if your minor is longer. A major fit is the one the side most wants to find.
- Holding four cards in each major, bid the cheaper one first, which players call bidding up the line. Over a minor, 1♥ comes before 1♠, and opener can still bid 1♠ next when holding four of them.
- Holding five cards in one major and four in the other, bid the longer one. Holding five in each, bid spades.
Two-level suits, and the 1NT reply
Some new suits can only be bid at the two level. Over 1♠, any new suit you name is a two-level bid. That takes the auction higher and leaves less room, so it needs 10 points or more, and four or more cards in the suit. A reply of 2♥ over 1♠ should hold five hearts, because opener will often raise with three.
A new suit by responder is forcing for one round. Opener must bid again, because responder's range has no upper limit yet and game could still be there. This is why a new suit is the reply that keeps the auction open, and why you can make it with a strong hand without jumping. What opener says next is lesson 17.
The 1NT reply
Some hands have 6 to 10 points, no support for partner's major and no suit that can be named at the one level. The reply for them is 1NT. It says little about shape and much about strength, and it is not forcing, so opener may pass. Over a minor opening, 1NT also denies a four-card major, since you would have bid it.
| Reply | Points | Shows | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| New suit, one level | 6 or more | Four cards or more | Must bid again |
| New suit, two level | 10 or more | Four cards or more, five for 2♥ over 1♠ | Must bid again |
| 1NT | 6 to 10 | No fit and no suit at the one level | May pass |
| Pass | 0 to 5 | Too weak to reply | Usually plays there |
Watch it in a deal
You are South, and partner deals. Step through your choice of reply and the opening lead.
North opens 1♠ with 14 points and five spades. East passes, and it is your turn as South.
The habit to keep
When partner opens and you have no fit, look for a four-card suit you can bid at the one level, majors first and the cheaper of two four-card majors first. If none fits, check for the 10 points a two-level suit needs. Short of them, 1NT is the reply. Whatever you choose, a new suit gives partner another turn, so you never have to jump to show a good hand.
For a summary of every reply on one page, see the bridge bidding cheat sheet. For the whole system, see SAYC.
Practice: a new suit in reply
Eight quick questions on what you just read.