Rebidding a Six-Card Suit or Showing a Second Suit
Opener's second bid should describe shape: repeat a six-card suit to show length, or bid a second suit to give partner a choice.
Your first bid names a suit. Your second bid tells partner about the shape of your hand. The two most common choices are to repeat your first suit, showing extra length, or to show a second suit, offering partner another place to play.
Why it works
Rebidding a suit promises at least six cards (or a very strong five). That lets partner support with just two. Bidding a second suit shows at least four cards there, usually with five in the first. Each message helps partner find the best trump suit.
A worked example: Three opening hands
You open 1♥ and partner responds 1♠.
Hand A — ♠ 7 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 4 ♦ K J 3 ♣ K 5 2 (13 HCP)
Rebid 2♥. You have six good hearts and no second suit. Partner can now pass or raise with two hearts.
Hand B — ♠ 7 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 ♦ K J 5 3 ♣ K 5 2 (13 HCP)
Rebid 2♦. With five hearts and four diamonds you should show the second suit. Diamonds rank below hearts, so this is not a reverse and does not promise extra strength.
Hand C — ♠ 7 ♥ A Q 10 8 6 4 ♦ K J 5 3 ♣ 5 2 (10 HCP, 6-4)
This is a choice. 2♦ shows both suits; 2♥ stresses the long, good hearts. Many players prefer 2♦ to show the shape, but methods vary, so agree an approach with partner.
Four common mistakes
Rebidding a five-card suit just because it is your longest — that misleads partner about length.
Bidding a higher-ranking second suit (a reverse, such as 1♦ then 2♥) with a minimum hand.
Rebidding 1NT with a singleton, hiding an unbalanced hand.
Ignoring partner's suit when you have four-card support — raising is usually the best rebid.
When the rule does not apply
If you have four cards in partner's suit, show the fit first. If your second suit is very weak, repeating a strong six-card suit may describe the hand better. And with a strong hand, jump rebids carry extra meaning, so follow your partnership's agreements.
Key takeaways
Rebidding your suit promises six cards.
A new, lower-ranking suit shows at least four cards and does not show extra strength.
A higher-ranking second suit at the two level is a reverse and shows a strong hand.
With support for partner, raise first.