By Peter Rhead
Possible second bids by opener after partner’s 2NT response
You have opened one-of-a-suit. Your bid shows an unlimited 13-21 points. Partner has responded 2NT. In standard bidding he has limited his hand. His bid shows 10-12 points with little or no support for your opening suit. Since partner has limited his hand, you are now the captain. You possess the most information about the two hands in the partnership. It is your responsibility to guide the partnership to the best contract.
This week we examine your possible responses for your second bid after the 2NT response by partner to your opening. Which choice you make depends on your hand’s strength and distribution.
First Choice: with 13-14 points, you have a risky possible major suit game if partner is at his maximum (13+12=25). But you have no way to invite. Game is a low percentage risk. If you play conservatively, you PASS. Otherwise bid the risky 3NT.
Second Choice: with 13-14 points and six cards in a major suit, your second bid is two of your suit. Your two-bid invites partner to a major suit game if he has 11-12 points (13+12=25) and two-card support for your suit. With two-card support in your suit, partner can bid game in your suit. Otherwise partner should PASS your two-bid rather than risk a low percentage 3NT game.
Third Choice: with 16-18 points and a six-card suit you want game after partner responds 2NT. Partner must have one card in your suit or he would bid differently. Therefore jump in your suit to the four level. Remember, if you are bidding a minor suit, you need 28 points for the game.
Fourth Choice: with 15-17 points, shift to your second suit in a two-suited hand. This bid of a second suit at the three level is forcing to game(15+10=25). Partner cannot PASS. Partner may go to 3NT game or bid game in one of your suits. Again, remember, if you are bidding a minor suit, you need 28 points for the game.
Fifth Choice: bid 3NT. This bid confirms that you have 15-17 points in addition to your initially-bid five-card major or three-four-card minor suit which partner has not supported.
Next Week: Examples of one-of-a-suit opener’s second bid after partner’s 2NT response.
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 [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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