Robert Todd
(632) 1M - 3NT* a Good 1M - 4M Bid

In general, we use jumps in competitive auctions as weak bids (0-5 points) applying the Law of Total Tricks (LOTT) -- (though sometimes the modern approach can be to use mixed bids, 6-9 points).  The key is that we jump to our Law level, eating up bidding space, to quickly and narrowly define our hand. 

(632) 1M - 3NT* a Good 1M - 4M Bid
Constructive: Responder
Robert Todd
(631) 2NT Response by a Passed Hand: P-1M-2NT

When we are a passed hand and partner opens the bidding, we must be careful in trying to describe our hand.  Partner’s opening bid in the 3rd seat can be light in values, trying to be destructive or lead-directing, so we cannot respond to it in the same way we would a normal opening bid.  Specifically, if partner opens 1-Major in the 3rd seat, we should not go jumping around without a very special hand.  Let’s look at how we should respond when partner opens in the 3rd seat.

(631) 2NT Response by a Passed Hand: P-1M-2NT
NT Responses
Robert Todd
(630) Upgrade to Jacoby 2NT

The modern expert 2NT response to a 1-Major opening shows a limit raise or better (LR+), instead of game forcing values.  This has many different inventors, advocates, and variants.  In Europe, it is known as Limit Sternberg while in America, Larry Cohen popularized a similar approach.  The idea of using 1M – 2NT as LR+ accomplishes a couple of goals.  First, this opens up 1M – 3M to always be a weak call (a valuable tool for making life difficult on the opponents).  Second, 1M – 2NT as LR+ approach gives away less information about the Opener’s hand (and soon to be declarer’s hand).  Let’s see how this works.

(630) Upgrade to Jacoby 2NT
NT Responses
Robert Todd
(629) 1-Minor – 3NT

When partner opens the bidding with 1§ or 1¨ then our primary objective is to look for a Major suit fit.  We do so by responding to 1-Major when we have a 4-card Major suit. We do so if we have 6 HCP or even enough for game (a good 12+ points). If we do not have a 4-card Major suit, but we have a balanced hand with enough values for game, then our most common action is to just bid the game we are likely to make, 3NT!   Let’s look at this 3NT response in more detail and see what is going on with this response.

(629) 1-Minor – 3NT
NT Responses
Robert Todd
(628) 1-Major – 3NT

When partner opens 1-Major and we play 2/1 GF, then a 1NT response is used with most hands that have minimum or invitational values without a fit, showing 6-11 points.  A 2NT response to a Major suit opening is not used as a natural bid because it is Jacoby 2NT, showing game forcing values and at least 4-card support.  So the question is what should a jump to 3NT in response to a 1-Major opening show?

(628) 1-Major – 3NT

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(629) 1-Minor – 3NT

(629) 1-Minor – 3NT

When partner opens the bidding with 1§ or 1¨ then our primary objective is to look for a Major suit fit.  We do so by responding to 1-Major when we have a 4-card Major suit. We do so if we have 6 HCP or even enough for game (a good 12+ points). If we do not have a 4-card Major suit, but we have a balanced hand with enough values for game, then our most common action is to just bid the game we are likely to make, 3NT!   Let’s look at this 3NT response in more detail and see what is going on with this response.

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(628) 1-Major – 3NT

(628) 1-Major – 3NT

When partner opens 1-Major and we play 2/1 GF, then a 1NT response is used with most hands that have minimum or invitational values without a fit, showing 6-11 points.  A 2NT response to a Major suit opening is not used as a natural bid because it is Jacoby 2NT, showing game forcing values and at least 4-card support.  So the question is what should a jump to 3NT in response to a 1-Major opening show?

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(624) 2/1 GF Discussion Template

(624) 2/1 GF Discussion Template

When we agree to play 2/1 GF as our bidding system, then that is not the end of our decision-making process. We need to discuss our follow-up bidding and other initial agreements. The goal is this article is to give you a list of questions to discuss with your partners, to make sure that you are getting the most out of your 2/1 GF system. Let’s start out with a list of the question and then we’ll do some discussions of options below.

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(532) Slam Bidding: Forcing Pass Auctions

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(532) Slam Bidding: Forcing Pass Auctions

When we are in a game forcing auction and the opponents interfere (usually to sacrifice) it is clear that we are not going to go quietly and just let them steal the contract. If the opponents bid over us, then we will either double them and defend or bid on to our game. Forcing Pass is an agreement used to help us work together with partner to make a good decision about which to do.

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(525) Fits and More: 2-Way Reverse Drury

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(525) Fits and More: 2-Way Reverse Drury

When partner opens in 3rd or 4th seat and we have a good hand, we do not want to go jumping around to show it – partner may have no game interest for their opening bid. We want to have an effective way of describing our good hands cheaply when partner opens in 3rd or 4th seat. When partner opens 1-Major and we have a maximum passed hand with a fit, then we want to be able to show this to partner without getting too high. This is what the Drury convention accomplishes.

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

When we open a NT and partner uses an artificial conventional responses, like Stayman or Transfers, then the opponents might double as lead directing. We want to use this double against them. Here we discuss our options for bidding after this double.

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(509) Thinking and Responding: Vulnerability Tactics

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(509) Thinking and Responding: Vulnerability Tactics

When we are at favorable vulnerability we have a lot of different options for how to get into the auction. When we are in the 3rd seat, this is even more true. Here we look at how we can use this situation to give us a license to attack.

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(429) Competitive Bidding: Is It Forcing by Advancer?

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(429) Competitive Bidding: Is It Forcing by Advancer?

When LHO opens the bidding and partner competes in the bidding the auctions can get very complicated. As the Advancer we often have many difficult decision about how to compete in the bidding. Here we look at these options and make sure that we have good agreements about which bids are forcing!