The responder, with all weak holdings and no long suit, passes.

With a long suit and markedly unbalanced distribution, the responder bids game in the long suit. Particularly when the long suit is clubs or diamonds, the responder must be reasonably certain that a suit contract will be better. After 3NT, the responder, holding:

• J98642 7 8742 2 - bids 4 Spades
• K8764 8 J962 873 - passes
• _ 872 Q976432 9864 - bids 5 Diamonds

All doubtful actions should be resolved in favor of pass.

With enough strength to consider slam and a long suit, the responder bids five if the suit is a major, requesting that the opening bidder rebid 5NT without support, and six of the major with support.

If the long suit is clubs or diamonds, the responder bids four, then five of the same suit.

When the Responder Holds Two Suits

With a weak hand and fewer than eleven cards in the two suits, the responder passes.

With eight points including distribution and at least ten cards in the two suits, the responder plans to end in a slam contract. With both major suits, the responder skips to five of the longer suit. With equal length, the responder bids 5 Spades. The opening bidder raises to six with three-card support and bids 5NT otherwise, permitting the responder to choose the suit in which to play the slam.

Exceptionally, with support for spades and four or five hearts, the opening bidder rebids 6 Hearts, just in case the responder has both major suits and not long spades only.

With a two-suiter including a minor suit, the responder first bids four of the lower minor suit, planning to follow up with five of the higher suit. This method allows the responder to show both suits and sort out which one to play in.