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.

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.

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?