1. Two hearts. Judgment is said to be the name of the game, and you are certainly put to the test in this case, which poses a difficult choice between two reasonable rebids.

You could bid two clubs because you think it important to identify your good club suit and at the same time avoid an immediate raise in hearts with only three-card trump support. Or you could bid two hearts because it comes closer to describing the nature of your hand than a two-club bid would.

While it is true that a direct raise of partner’s suit is usually based on four cards rather than three, over the long haul the single raise in a major on three to an honor and an unbalanced hand will produce a better result than rebidding a five-card minor suit.

For those who might have considered two diamonds as a possible rebid, see No.3 below.

2. One spade. No other bid should seriously be considered. The search for a 4-4 major suit fit — partner might have four spades and four hearts, or four spades and five hearts — takes precedence over a two-club bid or a direct raise in hearts with only three-card support. There is a good chance you will get to show your three-card heart support at your next turn, depending on what partner does in response to your one-spade bid.

3. Two diamonds. This is a “reverse,” indicating 17 or more points as well as at least five clubs and four diamonds. You plan to show your heart support next to identify your shortness in spades.

As opener, whenever you bid a new suit on the two-level that ranks higher than the suit you opened with, you indicate well above a minimum opening bid and also imply that you hold greater length in the first-bid suit. One advantage of a “reverse” bid is that you can show a strong hand without making a jump-rebid.

4. Two notrump. This rebid shows 18 or 19 high-card points and balanced distribution (no singleton or void, and not more than one doubleton). It describes a hand that was too strong for an opening one-notrump bid and not strong enough to open two notrump. Responder is then in an ideal position to judge what is likely to be the best final contract. Two notrump is not forcing, but in practice the responder seldom passes.

Tomorrow: Extraordinary foresight.