Inverted Minors is a very nice, simple tool for Intermediate plus players. For example, when partner opens one of a minor, your reply of two of that minor promises 10-18 HCPs, five cards in that minor and no major holding. It’s forcing for one round because the point count could be high.
Example:
| N |
S |
| ♠ Q765 |
♠ AJ4 |
| ♥ AJ107 |
♥ 64 |
| ♦ AQ |
♦ 83 |
| ♣ J94 |
♣ AKQ1063 |
North opens 1C, South bids 2C showing 10+ HCPs and a five card club suit.
1C: 2C: ?
With this valuable information, North bids 2NT showing a minimum balanced hand with cover in diamonds and both majors. South bids 3NT.
1C: 2C: 2NT: 3NT
How would you bid this hand if you don’t play Inverted Minors? 1C: 3C: ? You’re up too high to do any NT exploration. Partner cannot guess your point count past 10, therefore anything they bid, including a pass, is a gamble.
What do you bid if you have a weak hand in response to partner’s opening of a minor? Normally you pass with less than five card support and 0-5 HCPs. This stays the same for 0-2 HCP. However, if you hold 5 card support with 3-8 HCP you jump to 3C. Partner must pass:
1C: 3C = 3-8 points and a 5 card club suit, no four card major, opener should pass.
1D: 3D = 3-8 points and a 5 card diamond suit, no four card major, opener should pass.
With a balanced 6-9 HCP point hand and no major, bid 1NT.
When the opponents bid ...
Inverted Minors are off. Minor suit raises and NT bidding reverts to the normal meaning
1C: (1H/1S) ? - a 2C bid is 6-9 points and a 5 card suit.
1D: (1H/1S) ? - a 2D bid is 6-9 points and depending on your system promises 4 diamonds (Short Club) or 5 diamonds (Better Minor).
1C/1D: (1H/1S) ? - a 1NT bid is 6-9 HCP, no 4-5 card major and cover (A or K) of their suit. If you don't have cover, pass or support partners bid suit, as stated above.
-KK
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