Opener's Response to the Responder's Bid.

The opener's response to a suit that was introduced by the RESPONDER at the One Level must have a minimum of FOUR CARD support.

You as the Opener has opened the bidding and now you find that you have a MINIMUM of Four Card support.   How do you procede?   First how STRONG was your Opening Bid.

If it's 11 - 14 Pts then raise your partner by ONE.   1♠ to 2♠.    This states your Point Count and Partner should now know how far the BIDDING can go.   With the bare MINIMUM they will PASS. 

Now your Pt count is 15 - 17 Pts. you will raise your Partner by TWO.   1♥ to 3♥.    Again the Responder should now beable to ascertain where the contract will go.    This Bid is INVITATIONAL to GAME not stating GAME.   So this bid depends on the responder Pt count as to the level of the Bid.    Now you have found a MINIMUM of an EIGHT CARD fit start re-assessing  your hand and give yourself Pts for Voids & Doubletons.    Also try to see if the Openers bid helps in any way. 

With a Pt count of 18 - 19 Pts raise the responder to Game.    This need not be as far AS we go but a STATEMENT of the Opener's Pt Count.   You as the Responder must now access your hand to see if it's just a Game or is there a Slam.   A Small Slam ususally requires 33 Pts and a Grand Slam 36 Pts.   Shape can be important in bidding Slams.

Instead of raising a Minor to Game try a N/T Bid if your hand is suitable.   (i.e. Stoppers in the unbid suits).   3N/T require nine tricks and a game in a Minor requires eleven tricks.

If the Responder bids at the Two Level  in a MINOR after your opening bid of 1♠ this may contain just FOUR CARDS But if they Bid 2♥ then they guarantee a MINIMUM of Five Cards.   This therefore can make the bidding slightly different in raising of the ♥ Suit because you can now support with just THREE CARDS.   5 + 3 = 8 Card Fit.  

The RESPONDER can revalue their hand now that you have a FIT, give ONE POINT for a DOUBLETON, TWO POINTS for a SINGLETON and THREE POINTS for a VOID.

Becareful when you are revalueing your hand until you feel confident.    But nothing ventured nothing gained.

The LOSING TRICK COUNT could be initiated on unbalanced hands, but remember you will need an EIGHT CARD FIT  for the L.T.C to work at it's best.