2.1 Responses to 1NT
General Principles of Responding to Notrumps
- If you have a four-card major, start with Stayman.
- Except when you also have a four-card major, if you have a five-card major, start with a transfer.
- 4NT is quantitative or to play unless a trump suit has been established through a raise or a Texas transfer.
- When you transfer and bid a second suit, you have a hand that might make slam opposite the perfect hand; or at least five of a minor, otherwise just find a major suit fit, or bid 3NT.
|
| West | North | East | South |
|---|
| |
1NT |
Pass |
? |
| 2♣ |
Non-Forcing Stayman |
| 2♦ |
Transfer to Hearts |
| 2♥ |
Transfer to Spades |
| 2♠ |
Transfer to Clubs |
| 2NT |
Transfer to Diamonds |
| 3♣ |
5-5 Minors, weak |
| 3♦ |
5-5 Minors choice of games (not a slam-try) |
| 3♥ |
5-5 Majors invitational to game |
| 3♠ |
5-5 Majors choice of games (not a slam-try) |
| 3NT |
To play |
| 4♣ |
Gerber |
| 4♦ |
Texas Transfer to Hearts |
| 4♥ |
Texas Transfer to Spades |
| 4♠ |
Unused |
| 4NT |
Invitational to 6NT |
| 5♣ |
To play |
| 5♦ |
To play |
| 5♥ |
Bid 6 with 1 of the top honours;
bid 7 with both (won’t happen) |
| 5♠ |
Bid 6 with 1 of the top honours;
bid 7 with both (won’t happen either) |
| 5NT |
Invitational to 7NT |
Opener has no choice but to transfer as asked. Responder has either a hand with just enough to scrape out a game bid, or a hand he wants to bid RKCB aftger setting the trump suit. Stay out of the way.
2♣ — Non-Forcing Stayman
2.2 When They Interfere over 1NT