2.1 Responses to 1NT
3♣ & 3♦ — 5-5 in the Minors
Strategy
When you barely have values for game, 3NT is more likely to make than 5 of a minor. When you are weak, it is fairly important to get out of 1NT, since you might be set 2 or 3 tricks. Having 3♦ as a choice of games allows transferring to one minor and bidding the other to be used as a slam try.
|
3♣ — Weak 5-5 in the Minors
| West | North | East | South |
|---|
| |
1NT |
Pass |
3♣ |
| Pass |
? |
|
|
| Pass |
To play |
| 3♦ |
To play |
| 3♥ |
Try for game in clubs (lower cue bid for lower suit) |
| 3♠ |
Try for game in diamonds (higher cue bid for higher suit) |
| higher |
Does not exist |
It might seem strange to be allowed to reject this signoff, but imagine the following hands:
LOTT adjusts for double fits, so even if responder has garbage, you should be safe at the four-level. If partner has 4-6 HCP in his suits, you’ll have a good play for 5 of a minor.
3♦ — Choice of Games 5-5 in the Minors
| West | North | East | South |
|---|
| |
1NT |
Pass |
3♦ |
| Pass |
? |
|
|
| 3♥ |
Slam-try in clubs (lower cue bid for lower suit) |
| 3♠ |
Slam-try in diamonds (higher cue bid for higher suit) |
| 3NT |
To play |
| 4♣ - 4♠ |
Unused |
| 4NT* |
Pick a game |
| 5♣, 5♦ |
To play |
* Use the 4NT pick a game bid when you have equal length in the minors, with no lead value in the majors. Now it is better to play it from partner’s side since the defenders won’t know her distribution.
We allow opener to make a slam try on this auction with the same kind of double-fit in the minors and controls in the majors that make it sensible to try for game over 3♣ when responder, who is usually captain, has said to play a part-score. Remember, these are highly unusual actions.
5-5 in the Majors