By Peter Rhead
Examples of Two No-Trump response to partner’s 1NT opening
Last week we began our look at your five possible responses to partner’s One No-Trump opening. They are PASS, Two No-Trump, Three No-Trump, Stayman and Transfers. Each is dependent on your hand distribution and your point count. With less than 8 points you usually PASS. With 8-9 points you have more options. With 10 points or more, you are going for game which requires a partnership total of at least 25 points.
Today, you have examples of when to consider a response of Two No-Trump.
You sit there with these five hands. Your partner has opened One No-Trump showing a balanced or semi-balanced hand such as xxx xxxx xxx xxx (Spades Hearts Diamonds Clubs) or xx xxxxx xxx xxx with 15-17 points.
Case 1:
Spades xxx
Hearts xxx
Diamonds xxxx
Clubs AKx
Case 1: You PASS. (max 17+7) You have nothing extra for a 1NT part-score contract.
Case 2:
Spades xxx
Hearts xxx
Diamonds Jxxx
Clubs AKx
Case 2: You bid Two No-Trump inviting game in No-Trump (17+8) if opener maximum.
Case 3:
Spades xx
Hearts xxxx
Diamonds Jxxx
Clubs AKx
Case 3: You first respond Two Clubs Stayman. If opening partner replies Two Diamonds denying a four-card major, or bids Two Spades, you now bid Two No-Trump denying Spades but inviting opening partner to go for game if maximum (17+8).
Case 4:
Spades xxx
Hearts xxxx
Diamonds Jxx
Clubs AKx
Case 4: You respond Two No-Trump inviting opener to go to Three No-Trump if at his maximum (17+8). You do not consider Stayman because you have no ruffing capability in a suit contract!
Case 5:
Spades xxxx
Hearts xxxx
Diamonds Jx
Clubs AKx
Case 5: You first respond Two Clubs Stayman showing at least one four-card major. If partner bids Two Diamonds denying a four-card major, you then bid Two No-Trump inviting opener to go to the Three No-Trump game if at his maximum (17+8).
Next Week: Examples of a Three No-Trump response to partner’s 1NT Opening
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will try to include it in this column.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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