1 —
3:
10 or 11 points and 3-card heart support.
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With a stronger hand (10+ points), you have more options available:
Raise Your Partner's Major.
With invitational strength, you should make a limit raise:
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1 —
3:
10 or 11 points and 3-card heart support.
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With a stronger hand, you should begin by bidding a new suit, and then make a delayed raise to game on your next turn:
1 —
2 —
2NT —
4:
12+ points and 3-card heart support.
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Bid a New Suit (Forcing).
You may bid any new 4-card suit at the 1-level or the 2-level. Remember to bid majors before minors, and to bid 5-card suits before 4-card suits.
By the way, any new-suit bid by responder is forcing, so you do not have to worry about partner passing if you have a game-forcing hand. (This is why it is safe to make a delayed raise.)
Raise Your Partner's Minor.
If you do not have any major suits, you may raise your partner's minor:
1 —
3:
10 or 11 points and 4-card diamond support.
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With a stronger hand, you could make a delayed raise, or you could just jump in notrump (see below).
Jump in Notrump.
A jump-bid in notrump shows a strong, balanced hand:
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