No trump Bidding

Question 1

NT has many bidding purposes and meanings depending on role (opener, responder, overcaller, advancer) - quickly review all of these various purposes

Answer 1

Opener -1NT = 15-17 pts (balanced)
Opener -1NT rebid = denial of support
Opener -2NT rebid = 18-19 pts
Responder -1NT = 6-10 pts
Responder -1NT = 2/1 = 5-11 pts
Responder - 2NT = Jacoby 2NT (major)
Responder - 2NT = 11-12 pts (minor)
Overcaller -1NT = 15-18 pts (balanced)
Overcaller - 2NT = Unusual 2NT
(5/5 cards lowest ranking unbid suits)
Advancer - 2NT = 12-15 pts (balanced)

Question 2

Stayman - what is responder trying to achieve?

Answer 2

Responder uses Stayman to show 8+ points and and 4 card major by bidding artificial 2 clubs - opener bids 4 card major or 2 diamonds to deny 4 card major

Question 3

Stayman - responder rebid when opener major suit matches responder major suit (8 card major suit fit)

Answer 3

8 points = bid major suit at 3 level
10 points = bid major suit at 4 level
(8 card fit has been confirmed)

Question 4

Stayman - responder’s rebid when opener denies 4 card major (2D) or bids wrong major suit

Answer 4

With no 8 card fit - responder bids 2NT with 8 points and 3NT with 10 points - contract will be NT if 8 card major suit cannot be achieved

Question 5

Jacoby Transfer - what is responder trying to achieve?

Answer 5

Responder wants to show 5 major suit to opener and have the opener bid it so the strong hand will be concealed - Jacoby Transfer initially does not make any point promise - could be as few as zero points - contract might not be played in transferred suit - depends on how many of that suit opener has

Question 6

Jacoby Transfer - responder’s rebid options after opener transfers

Answer 6

0-8 points = pass
8 points = 2NT
(opener may only have 2 cards)
(opener can choose 2NT or suit)
10 points = 3NT
(opener may only have 2 cards)
(opener can choose 3NT or suit)

Question 7

Relay to 3 clubs - responder transferring minors instead of majors

Answer 7

Partner opens 1NT - responder has 6 clubs or 6 diamonds - 2NT artificial bid tells opener to bid 3 clubs and responder can correct to diamonds - key issue - this is a sign off bid - if responder has 8+ points the correct bid is 3 clubs or 3 diamonds

Question 8

3 level responses to partner 1NT opening

Answer 8

3 level responses to 1NT opening:
3 clubs = 6 cards and 8+ points
3 diamonds = 6 cards and 8+ points
3 hearts = 5 hearts + 5 spades and 8+pts
3 spades = 5 hearts + 5 spades and 8+pts
(3 spades is game forcing)

Question 9

When is it okay to play NT contract with 6 card minor suit

Answer 9

When you have strong honor sequence within 6 card minor suit - okay to play NT contract if all other suits are stopped by partnership (confirmed during auction) - key issue - the long suit can be harvested for length in NT contract