Coded Raises

The origin of this concept is unknown. The concept states that whenever a Major suit opening by partner is doubled by the immediate opponent, then certain coded raises may be employed per partnership agreement to communicate specific information. Source: OeB, 6th Edition.

The following example illustrates the application of coded raises, and in what bidding sequence they should be employed.

	North QJ102 964 KQ83 52
West 7 AJ87 J974 KQ96
	South (D) AK985 KQ J1065 J10

South		West		North		Meaning
1						Promises opening values and at least a 5-card Spade suit.
		Double				Normally a takeout double showing support in the other three unbid suits.
				2		Coded Raise. The partner of the opener shows at least a 3-card support in Spades and values between 7 and 9 points.
				2		A natural response promises a certain minimum of values and at least a 4-card Diamond suit.
				2		A natural response promises a certain minimum of values and at least a 5-card Heart suit.
				2		This is the general response when the holding of the responder shows also 7-9 points, but also a 4-card Spade support. (Note: this response is at the discretion of the partnership.)

Note: If the opening Major suit is Hearts and also doubled by the immediate opponent, then the responder can also employ the coded raise of 2 Clubs to show at least a 3-card support in Hearts and values between 7 and 9 points.

Extension / Modified Version of Coded Raises

	North QJ102 874 KQ93 98
West 7 AQ87 J974 KQJ6
	South (D) AK985 KQ J1074 J10

South		West		North		Meaning
1						Promises opening values and at least a 5-card Spade suit.
		Double				Normally a takeout double showing support in the other three unbid suits.
				2		Normal Raise. A natural response promises a certain minimum of values and at least a 4-card Clud suit.
				2		A natural response promises a certain minimum of values and at least a 4-card Diamond suit.
				2		A natural response promises a certain minimum of values and at least a 5-card Heart suit.
				2		This is the general response when the holding of the responder shows also 7-9 points, but also a 4-card Spade support. (Note: this response is at the discretion of the partnership.)
				3		Idle bid, which can be interpreted by the partnership.
				3		Coded Raise. The partner of the opener shows at least a 4-card support in Spades and values between 7 and 9 points.

The idea behind coded raises is the fact that the responder, over the immediate double by the opponent, can show non-forcing values, length equaling either a 3-card support or a 4-card support. In this manner the partnership continues to allow the employment of natural responses. With this agreement the partnership leaves one natural non-forcing bid available in each Minor suit.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.