Main
Menu ▼
Beginners Bidding Opening Lead Playing Deals
Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Thursday
Free Downloads Cribsheets Conventions Quick Book Glossary Books to read Deal a hand Other stuff
Basic
strategy
0000). How to use 0001). Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25" 0002). 28 for minor 0003). 33 for NT slam 0004). Suit slam 0005). Importance of length 0006). Convention card 0007). ACOL and American Standard, differences 0008). A-Z Glossary 0690). A-Z Glossary
Hand
evaluation
0010). Balanced-Unbalanced 0011). How strong is your hand, HCP 0012). Distribution points 0013). Losing trick count 0014). Barrier-Reversing 0015). Selection of opening suit 0016). Showing shape 0017). 4441 distribution 0018). The skip over principle 0019). Rule of 20 Opening 1 of a suit 0019a). Rule of 25 Opening 2 of a suit 0019b). Rule of 500 Max penalty risk on preempt if doubled 0019c). Law of total tricks 0019d). Rule of Protective bidding
Opening
bids
0020). Plan of attack 0021). Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT 0022). Bal, 20+ points 0023). Bal, 15 to 17 HCPs, strong NT 0025). Unbal, 12 to 19 HCPs, 1 suit 0026). Unbal, Strong 2s 0027). Unbal, Pre-emptive 0028). Unbal, Gambling 3NT 0029). Benji Strong 2s
Responder
1st bids
0030). After 1NT, General principles 0031). After 1NT, Weak 0032). After 1NT, Getting out of trouble 0033). After 1NT, 11+ balanced 0034). After 1NT, 11+ 4-card major 0035). After 1NT, 11+ unbalanced 0036). After 1NT, 19+ 0037). After 2NT 0038). After 1NT, and Enemy has interfered 0039). 1 NT responses 0040). After 1 Suit, With fit 0041). After 1 Suit, No fit, but alternative suit 0042). After 1 Suit, No fit, no new suit, probably balanced 0043). After 1 Suit, 6 points, nothing to bid 0044). After 1 Suit, Very strong 0045). After 1 Suit, Weak freak 0047). After 2 Suit, Strong 2s 0048). After 2 Suit, Weak 2s 0049). After 3 Suit, Responding to preempt
Openers
rebid
0050). Unbalanced, The general idea 0051). Unbalanced, You are weak 0052). Unbalanced, You are strong 0053). Unbalanced, Partner replied with 1NT 0054). Unbalanced, Delayed support 0055). Balanced
Responder
rebids
0060). Responder rebids, The general idea 0061). Choice of two suits 0062). Responders reverse 0063). After 1NT rebid
Basic
Convention
0080). Stayman 0081). Transfer 0082). Transfer after 2NT 0161). Minor suit transfer
Slam
bidding
0090). Slam, Spotting the chance 0091). Blackwood 0092). No-trump slam 0093). Gerber 0094). Extra slam techniques
Interfering
bids
0100). Overcalls, the basic idea 0101). Overcalls, in a suit, over a suit 0102). Overcalls, in a suit, over 1NT 0103). Overcalls, in NT, over a suit 0104). Overcalls, Jump overcall 0105). Overcalls, Double then bid a suit 0106). Overcalls, Bidding opponents suit 0107). Overcalls, Balancing (protective) 0108). Overcalls, Overcall a preempt 0109). Overcalls, Preemptive double jump 0110). Overcalls, To overcall, or to double 0111). Overcalls, Response to 1NT after suit overcall (Lebensohl) 0115). Defence after 1NT 0116). Competitive bidding 0117). Be cautious sometimes 0118). Sacrificing Be bold when non-vulnerable 0119). Sacrificing 0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0126). Doubles, Protective double
Doubles

0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0123). Doubles, Negative double 0124). Doubles, Double a 1NT overcall 0125). Doubles, Double a suit over 1NT 0126). Doubles, Protective double 0127). Doubles, Responsive double 0128). Doubles, Double then bid a suit 0129). Doubles, Penalty 0130). Doubles, Support double 0131). Doubles, Lead directing double 0132). Doubles, Maximal double 0133). Doubles, Redoubling - coded meanings 0134). Doubles, Forcing Pass 0135). Doubles, Re-opening double 0139). Doubles, Index of doubles
Advanced
Convention
0150). Majors Jacoby 2NT 0151). Majors Splinters 0152). Majors Weak 2s 0153). Majors Weak 2 defence 0154). Trial bid 0160). NT and minors 4th suit forcing 0161). Minor suit transfer 0162). DONT Bidding When Opponents open 1NT 0163). Game tries 0166). Grand Slam Force 0167). Roman Keycard Blackwood 0168). Cue bidding for controls 0170). 2-suited Overcall Unusual 2NT 0171). 2-suited Overcall Michaels cue bid 0172). 2-suited Overcall Landy over 1NT 0173). Overcall Unassuming cue bid 0179). Very advanced

Quiz How much do you know about this page? Quiz

<= find/hide more deals exploiting this aspect

Quick summary

Open 2NT with

20-22 HCP, &
balanced hand, &
no "problems"

Problem NT hands include:

no 5-card minor
honours not grouped
weak doubletons

With a 20 HCP hand that has problems, usually better to open 1 of longest suit and rebid NT.

Consider modifying standard Acol, to require 21+HCP for 2 NT opening.

With 23+ points open 2 then rebid NT at the right level

23-24 2NT
25+ 3NT

2NT opening can be passed by responder with <4 HCP, but with 4HCP you can Transfer or Stayman if appropriate.

2 is forcing to game, unless followed by a 2NT rebid (promising 23-24HCP) which can be passed.

Print cribsheet

Bridge Venue

+	West
	9 3 2
	A 2
	10 9 8 4
	K J 5 4

+	North
	A K Q 4
	J 10 4
	K Q 3
	A Q 10

+	East
	8 6
	K Q 7 6 3
	J 7 6 5
	9 8

	South
	J 10 7 5
	9 8 5
	A 2
	7 6 3 2

Example Deal

You: South
Dealer: East
Vuln: all

# 126022

To play in NT or a suit ?
..
Go to quiz (& full page) of deal # 126022
***

Click the + buttons to peep

Click on "q1" below to see question 1, and on "A1" to see the answer.

Question 1

When North opens 2NT, what are your bidding choices, and which is best ?

Question 1

When North opens 2NT, what are your bidding choices, and which is best ?

Answer

You could bid 3NT, since you are balanced and have the points. However, it's often best to find a 4-4 Major split than to play in NT from this kind of bidding, because you could both be weak in one suit. Best to reply "Stayman", (3 clubs), asking if opener has a 4-card Major, in case they have 4 spades or more.

Question 2

How should N reply if he has 4 Spades and 3 Hearts ? (Which he does).

Question 2

How should N reply if he has 4 Spades and 3 Hearts ? (Which he does).

Answer

3 Spades. Denying a 4-card Heart suit, but confirming a 4-card Spade suit.

Question 3

What should South now say ?

Question 3

What should South now say ?

Answer

4 Spades. You've got an 8 card fit, and you know that 25 HCP is certain. Game in spades is safer than NT.

Question 4

Would you like to know what would have happened in a 3NT contract with North as declarer, against a sensible lead from East?

Question 4

Would you like to know what would have happened in a 3NT contract with North as declarer, against a sensible lead from East?

Answer

Against 3NT, East would have led the 6 Hearts, promising at least 4 cards and eiher one or two honours. Partner West would have taken it with his Ace, and returned the suit. East wins with the King, then Queen, has 5 Heart cards in total, which would have produced 5 straight winners.

One down. (Good old Stayman, whoever he was.)

. . . .

Some subjects to follow up on
Stayman
After 2NT
Bal, 20+ points
Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25"

#1	+	<-- click the + to show/hide one possible Bidding Sequence
West			North	East	South
-			-	p	p
p			2NT	p	???
					3C
p			3S	p	4S
p			p	p
-			System: Acol (Benji)
suggest a different Bidding Sequence

bid	explained at....
#2	+	<-- click the + for explanation of relevant Bidding Techniques
2NT	Bal, 20+ points
3C	Stayman
3S	Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25"



			Hand evaluation

#3	+	<-- click the + for ideas on the Opening Lead
Opening Lead: East , K Reasons, when playing in Suit contract: 1. top of touching honours 2. establish this suit?

« 0022 »

Opening bid, Balanced hand, 20+ points

You need to say "I'm balanced, very strong, no problem areas, and I have the following exact strength..

2NT = 20-22 HCP
2(1) then 2NT = 23-24 HCP
2(1) then 3NT = 25+ HCP"

"After my 2NT opening, respond to me if you have 4 or more HCP".

At the very bottom of the range (20HCP), if your hand contains any weak elements, you might be better off opening 1 suit and then rebidding NT, otherwise you could end up in trouble with a 2NT opening. "Poor elements" include: 4333 distribution, no long minor, a weak doubleton, honours spread apart, lower honours in your shorter suits, a lack of 10s, adverse vulnerability.

Responses - start by trying to find a Major fit

The responses to 2NT are similar to those for 1NT. Your partner knows how many points you have, and will use all the usual systems such as Stayman, Transfers (assuming you use these), but modified in the knowledge of your point count. In addition, with the higher total point count possibilities, there are some additional stronger options avaiable to responder, see Strong twos.

Is it forcing?

Certainly 2NT is a strong opening. On the other hand, your partner is providing NO guarantee of any playing tricks, let along 8 or 9 of them. And with less than 25HCP in total, you are quite unlikely to make a game in NT. For these reasons, a 2NT opening is not forcing at all, either to game or even for one round.

With a very weak hand, fewer than 4 HCP, you should pass. At the 1NT level, responder to 1NT usually passes with fewer than 11 HCP. At the 2NT level, the translated calculation (pass with <3 HCP) is somewhat dangerous at the inevitable higher level of bidding. That's why you add a point, and pass with <4(3).

Turning to beginning players for a moment, the range of possible responses to 2NT (as with responses to 1NT) is very flexible, descriptive and interesting, with several advantages. The two most commonly used conventions are Stayman and Transfers, but as a beginner, if you don't yet use these, you will need 5+ HCP to reply, not 4+.

Anyway, for everyone else, if you have 4HCP or more, you can respond positively. Here's how...

Major fit?

You know all about Stayman after 1NT? Well, Stayman is just as useful after 2NT. That's because the probability of reaching game is somewhat higher if you play in a Major suit contract, rather than in 3NT, when you have an 8-card Major fit. So, when you have a 4-card Major, it's a really good idea to respond with a Stayman 2 in order to find out if there's a fit. 4HCP is sufficient.

For the same reasons, use transfers if you have a 5-card Major. In fact, using transfers is especially important after 2NT, since you really do not want the strong hand as dummy for the enemy to examine closely.

Responses to 23+ points

This bid is forcing for at least one round, see responses to 2. Since you are balanced, your subsequent rebid of 2NT is not forcing. (Any other rebid is forcing to game).

With 25+ points, the rebid will be a jump raise in NT, i.e. 3NT. See strong twos and responses to strong twos.

Weak Twos

Better players will generally use weak two opening bids. This means that the Majors are weak when opened at the 2 level, with at least one of the minors (), possibly both, being reserved solely to announce strength when opening at the two level.

Normal Acol. Open 2NT with 20-22 HCP

There's a problem with opening 2NT with only 20 points: you might miss game when partner has 4 points and you have 21-22. Your partner assumes you have 20, and passes. An alternative proposed by Ron Klinger is a modifued version of Acol (he calls it "refined")......

Modified Acol. Open 2NT with 21-22 HCP

Open 2NT with 21-22 balalnced hand. With 20 points precisely, open with a bid of 1-suit, and then jump rebid to 3NT, as if you have 19 points.

21a. Balanced hand: Opener's bids. VERSION A: STANDARD ACOL
HCP Points	Opening bid	2nd bid (rebid)	note
12-14	1NT
15-16	1 suit	Next available NT bid, usually 1NT, can be 2	With two 4 card suits, bid if you have them. Also, beware jump rebid to 2NT with 17-18 points as convention dictates - you can end up in trouble. See "Klinger" modification, 21b.
17-18	1 suit	Next NT bid+1, usually 2NT, can be 3	Note the ambiguity. Bearing in mind that 3NT is game forcing, you might want to limit this bid to 2NT, and run the risk that your partner thinks you have 15-16 HCP. See sheet 21c for a better system.
19	1 suit	3NT	note: 25 HCP is certain. The re-bid is game forcing.
20-22	2NT		Not forcing, partner might have <4HCP. Consider modified Acol instead, cribsheet 21b.
23-24	2(1)	Next NT bid (usually 2)	2, if followed by 2NT is not forcing. Partner might have 0 HCP
25+	2(1)	Next NT bid + 1 (usually 3)
Add to your customised cribsheet

1 For advanced players using "weak 2s" in the majors, bid 2, instead of 2.

2 With more experience, you can work out how to bend the rules.

3 There is a consequence however: sometimes you will miss a game when responder has 3 HCP and opener has22. The Ron Klinger modified Acol gets round this problem, see below.

Now try the quiz

Can you put all this into action ? Try the quiz for this subject by clicking on the link at the top left of the page, just below the main menu.
(You can try quizzes for any other subjects too while you're there. Look out for the thin red line).

About us Contact us Terms & conditions of use Log in Comment on current page

Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Thursday