6.1 Unusual Versus Unusual

When we open one of a major and the next opponent jumps to 2NT showing both minors, we need to be able to do the following things:

  1. compete in partner’s major
  2. show an invitational or better raise in partner’s major
  3. invite in the other major
  4. force in the other major

Note that we do not bid the fourth suit on these auctions unless our hand is good enough to at least consider a game. Generally, this is prudent at the three-level.

TheyWeTheyWe  
  1♥ 2NT ? 2NT shows the minors (usually weak)
Dbl Desire to defend at least one of their suits
3♣ Limit raise or better in hearts
3♦ Game forcing hand with spades
3♥ Competitive raise in hearts
3♠ Invitational to game with spades
3NT To play
4♣ Splinter in support of hearts
4♦ Splinter in support of hearts
4♥ Preemptive raise to game, does not create a force over 5m
4♠ To play, does not create a force over 5m
4NT RKCB for hearts
TheyWeTheyWe  
  1♠ 2NT ? 2NT shows the minors (usually weak)
Dbl Desire to defend at least one of their suits
3♣ Game forcing hand with hearts
3♦ Limit raise or better in spades
3♥ Invitational to game with hearts
3♠ Competitive raise in spades
3NT To play
4♣ Splinter in support of spades
4♦ Splinter in support of spades
4♥ To play, does not create a force over 5m
4♠ Preemptive raise to game, does not create a force over 5m
4NT RKCB for spades

Memory Guide

Cheaper cue bid Cheaper suit
Cue bid for partner’s suit Limit Raise or better
Cue bid for fourth suit Game force
Bidding the major One step weaker than the corresponding cue bid
Game Try DoublesPrevious Next6.2 Defense to Michaels