Flower Bids
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. Another designation is Fit Showing Jump Bids. This basic principle is used as a feature in several bridge bidding systems. A Flower bid is only employed by a passed hand to denote generally a good 5-card side plus suit containing a source of winners, at least a 4-card support for the suit of the partner, and a maximum of six Losing Tricks and 12 or fewer support points.
An example for the Flower bid is shown in the following illustration. West is the dealer and East/West are vulnerable.
| West |
|
North |
|
East |
|
South |
|
Meaning |
| Pass |
|
Pass |
|
Pass |
|
1 |
|
Fourth Seat opening. May be light, but generally a genuine opening bid. |
| Pass |
|
3 |
|
Pass |
|
4 |
|
Partner shows a good 5-card plus Club suit and promises good support for the suit of partner, either 3 or 4 cards. The length is partnership agreement. The values are less than required for an opening bid. The partnership agreement is also that this response guarantees at most 6 Losing Tricks. |
| Based on the additional values and the number of Losing Tricks shown by partner, the opening bidder bids a game contract. |
Additional Clarification Follows
A jump to show both length in the suit bid plus support for the suit of the partner and working values in both bid suits. This method is used by the partner, whose partner in Third or Fourth Seat has opened the auction. A jump shift response signifies 9-11 support points and less than a standard opening point count, at least nine cards in the two suits bid, and most of the values concentrated in those two suits. The following example may assist in clarifying this concept:
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