This Week in Bridge
(634) Smolen and 5/5 Majors After a 2NT Opening
© AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 4 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
When partner opens the bidding 2NT then it gives us less space to investigate a Major suit fit (or any fit) and keep the auction below 3NT. That makes it important to make use of our space efficiently and determine if we have a fit and then determine if we belong in game or higher. Here we look at how to balance communicating with partner and a lack of bidding space.
Responding to 2NT with 5/4 in the Majors
When partner opens the bidding 2NT and we have enough values for game (about 4+ points) then we usually start by using Stayman to look for a Major suit fit. If we have a 5-card Major and a 4-card Major, we don’t use a Transfer bid, instead we start with Stayman, to look for the 4-4 fit first. If that fails, then we look for the 5-3 fit. We use Smolen, bidding the “other Major” to get the strong hand to play the hand.
Example 1
Opener Responder
2NT 3♣
3♦ ___?
3♥* 4-card ♥ and 5-card ♠, game forcing.
3♠* 4-card ♠ and 5-card ♥, game forcing.
If Opener has 3-cards in the Major where we show five cards, then partner can bid that suit and the 2NT Opener becomes the Declarer.
Responding to 2NT with 5/5 in the Majors
When partner opens 2NT and we have 5-cards (at least) in each of the Major suits then we likely have a Major suit fit – we expect partner to have at most one doubleton, so they likely have a 3-card Major suit.
Here is the normal way to bid this hand:
Example 2
♠ K8732
♥ Q8732
♦ 4
♣ 54
Opener Responder
2NT 3♥*
3♠ 4♥
This bidding sequence shows two 5-card suits and asks partner to choose between playing in 4♥ or 4♠.
The problem with this bidding sequence, if we have an extremely good hand, is that if partner has a Heart fit, they may pass our 4♥ bid.
So how do we bid if we have this same distribution, but we have a hand that is interesting in slam, or are even stronger.
Example 3
♠ AK873
♥ KJ873
♦ 4
♣ 54
Opener Responder
2NT 3♦*
3♥ 3♠
This bidding sequence shows at least 5-5 in the Majors and a hand that is interested in slam. The advantage of this bidding sequence is that Opener cannot Pass. They will choose between our suits (usually) and they will
Opener’s Follow-up Bids After the Slam Try
After we show 5/5 in the Majors with a good hand (some slam interest) partner needs to let us know what kind of hand they hold – which of our Majors do they prefer and if our hand seems like it is good for slam or not.
Opener Responder
2NT 3♦*
3♥ 3♠
__?
3NT Unusual Rebid. Usually shows 2-2 in the Majors.
4♥ Minimum Hand with Heart Fit (bad hand for slam)
4♠ Minimum Hand with Spade Fit (bad hand for slam)
4♣* (Flag Bid) Agrees Hearts, good hand for slam.
4♦* (Flag Bid) Agrees Spades, good hand for slam.
After this 5/5 in the Majors slam try, Opener let’s partner know which of their suits they prefer and if they have a good hand for slam or a bad hand for slam.
The 4-minor slam tries, agree on the corresponding suit, and leave partner space to make a control showing bid or go straight into Keycard or event just bid a slam.
Conclusion
Responding to 2NT is often a challenge. We have very little space (between 2NT and 3NT) to search for our Major suit fit before the auction gets too high. These auctions are likely to come up, so it is worthwhile to spend some time discussing them with partner. Make sure you know how to show both your 5/4 and your 5/5 in the Majors hands. It is key for you and partner not to have bidding mistakes on these types of auctions.