Introduction
The 2-NT opening bid is an extension of the 1-NT opening bid. The 2-NT bid differs in the HCP range to which it applies. The responses vary a little, because the bidding starts at the 2-level, but the concepts are about the same.
2 NT bids
2-NT hands should be balanced. all 4 suits should be stopped. The main difference is the range to which the bid applies, and there are 3 ranges that are defined by different bidding methods. This page covers the first range.
18-19 HCP Opening Bid
This bid applies if you have 18,19 HCP, a balanced hand and stoppers in unbid suits.
The opener bids 1-suit as a regular opening bid. Typically, the opener bids a minor suit.
The responder bids with 6 or more points.
The opener rebids 2-NT on any 1-bid.
The opener rebids 3-NT on any 2-bid. I have not seen this bid covered in Bridge bidding manuals, but it makes sense. You show 10 or more points, so a 3 NT bid is reasonable and shows extra points.
Who is the boss.
After the 2 NT bid, the responder should bid to game with 7+ HCP. If the responder bids after the 2 NT bid, the partnership should keep bidding until they reach a game contract.
Reevaluating HCP
The 10,9 tweak applies here with a variation. Use the technique with 18 HCP to determine if you should bid as if you have 19 HCP. Also use the reevaluating technique as the responder to determine if you have 7 HCP.
Analysis by the Responder
Your first response is the same as any 1-suit bid. Respond with at least 6 points.
Reevaluate your hand when the opener rebids 2 NT or 3 NT after your positive 2-level response. If you have less than 7 HCP, pass. Otherwise keep bidding until you reach game.
18-19 HCP Bidding Difference
Because the opener starts with a normal suit bid, the responder provides some information about the responding hand. First, the responder has at least 6 points. And second, the responder may have a biddable 4-card suit. You may be tempted into diverging from the 3 basic no trump conventions, but don’t do it.
The conventions will still add more information that will make your potential game bid better. The 5-card convention and the Jacoby Transfer convention will tell the opener that the previously bid suit has at least 5 cards. And the Stayman convention will confirm that the suit has only 4-cards. The card-length information will help the opener determine if there is a good, 8-card rule fit.
Responses to 2-NT
There are three different types of response to a 2-NT bid. The first is the simple 5-card suit raise. This method is the simplest and easiest to use. The second is the Stayman convention that asks for a 4-card major suit. This method has the advantage of making the 1-NT opener the dealer which keeps the opener’s strong suit hidden from the defenders. The third is the Jacoby transfer that directs the opener to bid a specific suit.
The Stayman convention and the Jacoby convention both have the advantage of making the no trump opener the declarer in all hands, hiding the higher-strength opening hand from the defenders. The 5-card convention has the advantage of simplicity. You can combine the Stayman convention with either of the other two methods or you can choose to use only one.
Most of the point requirements are listed as HCP (High Card Points) when evaluating for a No Trump contract, but some are listed as points (HCP plus distribution points) when evaluating for a trump suit contract.
Each of the three conventions are shown in their simplest form. There are, however, enough options to make them useful in a very large number of hands. The responses to the No Trump bid following the opener’s 1-suit bid and the responder’s response.
Generic Responder Bids
These responses apply to all three conventions.
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pass shows less than 7 HCP. 3-NT shows 7-12 HCP. 4-NT shows 13 HCP, no 5-card suit and is invitational to a small slam. 6-NT shows 14 HCP, no 5-card suit. 7-NT shows 17+ HCP, no 5-card suit. |
Opener Rebids for Generic Responder Bids
These responses apply to all three conventions.
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In all cases, pass when partner passes. 18 HCP. Reevaluate hand with 10,9 rule. Choose 18 HCP options when no point is added, and 19 HCP options when a point is added. 18 HCP. Pass on the generic responses. 19 HCP. Accept the invitation to a small slam. |
5-Card Suit Responses
The 5-card suit response is simplified because the response is forcing to game. For a full description of the 5-card rule refer to the 1-NT 5-Card Suit Responses lesson. The simplified version augments the generic responses and includes opener’s rebids:
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3-Major suit shows 8+ points and a 5-card major suit. 3-Minor suit shows 10+ points and a 5-card minor suit. Opener raises partner’s bid to game with 3-card support or bids 3 NT. Responder may raise partner to game with a 6-card suit. |
Stayman Responses
The Stayman response is simplified because the response is forcing to game. For a full description of the Stayman rule refer to the 1-NT Stayman Responses lesson. The simplified version augments the generic responses and includes opener’s rebids:
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3 ♣ shows 7+ HCP and at least 1 4-card major suit. The opener bids 3 major suit showing a 4-card suit or 3 ♦, denying a 4 -card major. The responder either accepts the suit with a 4-suit, bids 3 NT or passes the opener’s 2 NT bid. |
Jacoby Transfer Responses
The Jacoby Transfer response is simplified because the response is forcing to game. For a full description of Jacoby Transfers refer to the 1-NT Jacoby Transfers lesson. The simplified version augments the generic responses and includes opener’s rebids:
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3 ♦ shows 7+ HCP and 5 or 6-card ♥ suit. 3 ♥ shows 7+ HCP and 5 or 6-card ♠ suit. Opener makes appropriate transfer to the directed major suit. Responder bids 3 NT with a 5-card major or 4 in the major suit. Opener bids 4 in the major suit with 3-card support or passes. |
A Bidding Example
As dealer, South starts the bidding at 1 ♣. How would the bidding proceed using each of the three No Trump conventions?
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| West ♠ K, J, 10, 9, 3 ♥ 6, 3 ♦ 8, 7, 3 ♣ A, J, 9 |
East ♠ 5, 4, 2 ♥ A, 9, 2 ♦ J, 5, 4 ♣ 5, 4, 3, 2 |
5-Card Convention
South opens 1 ♣ with 19 HCP.
North responds 1 ♥ with 7 points.
South bids 2-NT; with 19 HCP and unbid suits covered.
North bids 3 ♥; with a 5-card ♥ suit.
South bids 4 ♥ with 8-card rule support.
Stayman Convention
South opens 1 ♣ with 19 HCP.
North responds 1 ♥ with 7 points.
South bids 2-NT; with 19 HCP and unbid suits covered.
North bids 3 ♣ with 7 HCP and showing 4 ♥.
South bids 3 ♦ with no 4-card major.
North bids 3-NT.
Jacoby Transfer Convention
South opens 1 ♣ with 19 HCP.
North responds 1 ♥ with 7 points.
South bids 2-NT; with 19 HCP and unbid suits covered.
North bids 3 ♦ with a 5-card ♥ suit.
South bids 3 ♥.
North bids 3-NT showing the 5-card ♥ suit.
South bids 4 ♥ showing 8-card rule support in ♥.
Review Questions
Some questions may have more than one correct answer.
The South hand is dealer and opens 1 ♣ with 18 HCP.
North bids 1 ♦ with 9 points.
South bids 2-NT.
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| West ♠ A, 8, 3 ♥ J, 8, 7, 3 ♦ 5, 3, 2 ♣ 9, 4, 2 |
East ♠ J, 4 ♥10, 9, 6, 4 ♦ K, 6 ♣ A, J, 8, 6, 5 |
Use the North and South hands to answer the next 3 questions.
1. What is North’s bid with the 5-card convention?
2. What contract should result with the Stayman convention?
3. What contract should result with the Jacoby transfer convention?
The South hand is dealer and opens 1 ♣ with 19 HCP.
North bids 1 ♥ with 8 points.
South bids 2-NT.
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| West ♠ J, 10, 3, 2 ♥ A, 8 ♦ 7, 5, 4, 2 ♣ 8, 7, 2 |
East ♠ K, 5, 4 ♥ 10, 9, 2 ♦ K, 9, 6, 3 ♣ K, 4, 3 |
Use the North and South hands to answer the next 3 questions.
4. What is North’s response with the 5-card convention?
5. What is North’s Response with the Stayman convention?
6. What is North’s Response with the JNacoby transfer convention?
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