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Bidding Conventions
LESSON 27
Transfers after a 1NT Opening bid

  1. Responses after a 1NT Opening
  2. Bidding after 1NT - 2♦ or 1NT - 2♥
  3. Bidding after 1NT - 2♠ - 2NT
  4. Bidding after 1NT - 2♠ - new suit
  5. Bidding after 1NT - 2NT - 3♣
  6. Rubinsohl after Enemy interference
  7. Deals 117 to 124
    Review

    Bidding Guide : advBG-4

    More recent lesson on this subject


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BR 27.1 - Bidding after a 1 NT Opening bid

The 1NT Opening shows 16-18 points and a balanced hand (4333, 4432 or 5332).
Originally the idea of a suit transfer after a 1NT opening bid was to keep the strong hand concealed when playing in a suit contract determined by Responder's (usually) weak long suited and unbalanced hand. Over time however this idea has been utilised to describe both Responder's and Opener's hand in more detail than possible through the traditional responses to a 1NT Opening.
There are several transfer conventions used these days, the one presented here is very effective and probably the most popular one.

The first responses to a 1NT Opening bid are :

  • 1NT - 2♣   = Stayman Convention, asking for Opener's 4-card major suit

  • 1NT - 2♦   = transfer to 2♥   (or 3♥ when max. with a 4+ trump fit and outside doubleton)

  • 1NT - 2♥   = transfer to 2♠   (or 3♠ when max. with a 4+ trump fit and outside doubleton)

  • 1NT - 2♠   = range enquiry : are you minimum (16) or maximum (17-18) ?

  • 1NT - 2NT = 'puppet' : Opener must bid 3♣ !

  • 1NT - 3NT = 10-14 points, balanced or semi-balanced with no 4-card major (unless 4333)

  • 1NT - 3♥   = no transfer, strong hand with 6+card suite and Slam interest

  • 1NT - 3♠   = no transfer, strong hand with 6+card suite and Slam interest

  • 1NT - 4NT = Blackwood or RKC Blackwood (bid at any time by either player)

The above bids also apply after partner's 1NT overcall.

The use of the 2♠ response as a range enquiry make the traditional invitation responses of 2NT (invitation to Game) and 4NT (invitation to Slam) superfluous. Those two bids are therefore utilised here for other purposes.


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BR 27.2 - Bidding after 1NT - 2♦   or   1NT - 2♥

By having to make the transfer bid (to or ) puts the Opener temporarily "on hold". This gives the Responder the opportunity to make a second bid defining his hand more precisely.

Here follow the most commonly used options for the Responder (Opener's bids are underlined).

Bidding Hand description Example
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - Pass = 0-7, 5+s, sign-off ♠ 7   ♥ Q 10 8 6 2   ♣ J 5 3   ♦ J 8 4 2
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT = 8-9, 5332, Game invitation ♠ 8 3   ♥ K J 10 8 6   ♣ Q 6 4   ♦ J 8 3
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3NT = 10-14, 5332. Opener : Pass or 4♥ ♠ K 2   ♥ K J 10 8 6   ♣ K 8 6   ♦ J 9 4
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♥ = 8-9, 6-card suit. Game invitation ♠ 9   ♥ Q J 10 8 6 3   ♣ K 3 2   ♦ 7 6 4
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 4♥ = 10-14, 6+ s. ♠ 6 2   ♥ K J 10 8 6 3   ♣ A 5   ♦ K 6 2
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠ = 10+, 5+ s and 4+♠s. Game force ♠ A Q 10 7   ♥ K J 10 8 6   ♣ 6   ♦ J 9 6
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♣ = 14+, 5+ s and 4+♣s. Slam interest ♠ 5   ♥ K J 10 8 6   ♣ A Q 10 7   ♦ A 7 5

The same options are used after a transfer to Spades.

Note that after Opener's transfer bid, Responder's bid of the second major is forcing to Game.
Responder's rebid of a minor suit is stronger and shows interest in Slam.

Here follow some examples :

Ex. 1     Opener (W)
♠ A 10 9 6
♥ K 6
♦ K Q J 8
♣ A 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ 7
♥ J 10 9 7 5 3
♦ 6 3 2
♣ Q 8 4
  Comment
Simple transfer to Hearts. East is weak and passes.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - Pass


Ex. 2     Opener (W)
♠ A 10 9 6
♥ K 6
♦ K Q J 8
♣ A 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ K 7
♥ Q 10 9 7 3
♦ A 3 2
♣ Q 8 4
  Comment
East shows a balanced 5332 hand with containing 5 hearts and enough strength for Game.
West has the option of raising to 4♥ with 3-card support, or pass (like in this case) with only 2 hearts.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3NT - Pass


Ex. 3     Opener (W)
♠ A 8 7 6
♥ K 6
♦ K Q 8 4
♣ A 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ 9 7
♥ Q 10 9 7 5 3
♦ 6 3
♣ K J 4
  Comment
East shows a 6-card heart suit and 8-9 points.
West should raise to 4♥ with a maximum hand (17-18), but pass (like in this case) with a minimum 16.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♥ - Pass


Ex. 4     Opener (W)
♠ A 8 7 6
♥ K 6
♦ K Q J 4
♣ A 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ 9
♥ A J 10 9 7
♦ A 10 9 3
♣ K Q 4
  Comment
East's 2nd suit bid of a minor shows interest in Slam.
West shows support in s. East, with his singleton , confidently bids to 6.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♦ - 4♦ - 6♦ - Pass


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BR 27.3 - Bidding after 1NT - 2♠ - 2NT -

The responses of 2♣, 2♦ and 2♥ explore the possibility of a major suit contract instead of one in No Trumps.

The responses of 2♠ and 2NT on the other hand deny a 4-card major (unless shaped 4333), and focus on reaching a No Trumps contract, with a possible fall-back to a minor contract, when Responder is unbalanced or semi-balanced with length in one or both minors.

With a minimum 1NT Opening hand, opener's initial reply is 2NT, showing 16 points only.
Bidding after that may proceed as follows :

Bidding Hand description Example
1NT - 2♠ - 2NT - Pass = 8-9 points, Game out of reach ♠ 8 7 2   ♥ Q 10 8   ♣ K 5 3   ♦ K 9 4 2
1NT - 2♠ - 2NT - 3NT = 15-16 points, Slam out of reach ♠ A Q 2   ♥ Q J 8   ♣ K 5 3   ♦ K 9 4 2
1NT - 2♠ - 2NT - 3♣ = 14+, artificial, Slam try ♠ 6   ♥ K 9 8   ♣ A K 9 3   ♦ K J 8 7 4

The artificial bid of 3♣ is an attempt to find a Slam contract in a minor suit.
Opener is asked to bid his cheapest 4-5 card suit.
His possible replies are :

  • 3♦   = 4-5 diamonds

  • 3♥   = 4 hearts (or 4-4 in both majors)

  • 3♠   = 4 spades

  • 3NT = 4-5 clubs

  • 4♣   = 4-4 in the minor suits
Here follow two examples :

Ex. 5     Opener (W)
♠ A 8 7 6
♥ K 6
♦ K Q 7 4
♣ A 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ K 9 4
♥ J 10 9
♦ J 10 6 3
♣ K 8 4
  Comment
After West shows a minimum 16 points, East with 9 points passes.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♠ - 2NT - Pass


Ex. 6     Opener (W)
♠ A 8 7
♥ K 6
♦ K Q 7 4
♣ A 9 7 6
  Responder (E)
♠ 9
♥ A 8 5
♦ A J 10 8 3
♣ K Q 10 4
  Comment
When West shows 4-4 in the minor suits (4♣), East, with only 6 losers, bids confidently to 6.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♠ - 2NT - 3♣ - 4♣ - 6♦



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BR 27.4 - Bidding after 1NT - 2♠ - New Suit -

After Responder's 2♠ range enquiry, Opener's bid of a new suit shows maximum strength (17-18 points) and his cheapest 4-5 card suit.
Bidding after that may proceed as follows :

Bidding Hand description Example
1NT - 2♠ - 3♦ - 3NT = 8-9 points, Game on ♠ 8 7 2   ♥ Q 10 8   ♣ K 5 3   ♦ K 9 4 2
1NT - 2♠ - 3♥ - 6NT = 15-16 points, Slam on ♠ A Q 2   ♥ Q J 8   ♣ K 5 3   ♦ K 10 9 5
1NT - 2♠ - 3♣ - 4NT = 6 losers, Slam on in s ♠ 6   ♥ K 9 8   ♣ A K 9 3   ♦ K J 8 7 4

Here follow two examples :

Ex. 7     Opener (W)
♠ A J 7 6
♥ K 8 3
♦ K Q 4
♣ A J 9
  Responder (E)
♠ K 9
♥ J 10 9
♦ J 10 6 3
♣ K 8 4
  Comment
West shows a maximum and his "cheapest" 4-card suit is Spades. This reveals his hand shape as 4333. East, with 9 points raises to Game.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♠ - 3♠ - 3NT


Ex. 8     Opener (W)
♠ A J 7 5
♥ K 8
♦ K Q 10 4
♣ A J 9
  Responder (E)
♠ 9
♥ Q J 5
♦ A J 10 6 3
♣ K Q 10 4
  Comment
West shows a maximum 17-18 point hand with a 4+card suit. This is enough information for East to bid Slam.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2♠ - 3♦ - 6♦



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BR 27.5 - Bidding after 1NT - 2NT - 3♣ -

After a 1NT opening, the Response of 2NT (called a "puppet", not a transfer, because Responder may not have Clubs) shows a hand unsuitable for a NT contract.   It is either

  1. a weak hand containing a long minor suit,

  2. or a strong unbalanced or semi-balanced hand with at least 4-5 in the minor suits.
Here are the possible options.

Bidding Hand description Example
1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - Pass = 0-7 points, 5+ ♣s, sign-off ♠ 8 7 2   ♥ 3   ♣ K J 10 7 5 3   ♦ 9 4 2
1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♦ = 0-7 points, 5+ s, sign-off ♠ 4   ♥ 7 3 2   ♣ Q 5 3   ♦ J 10 9 5 3 2
1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♥ = strong, void or singleton , 3145, 3154, 0355 ♠ K 9 8   ♥ 4   ♣ A K 9 3 2   ♦ K J 8 7
1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♠ = strong, void or singleton , 1345, 1354, 0355 ♠ 6   ♥ K 9 8   ♣ A K 9 3   ♦ K J 8 7 4
1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3NT = strong, 2245, 2254 ♠ 8 5   ♥ K 9   ♣ A K 9 3   ♦ K J 8 7 4

Here follow two examples :

Ex. 9     Opener (W)
♠ A J 7 6
♥ K 8 3
♦ K Q 4
♣ A J 9
  Responder (E)
♠ 4
♥ 7 5 2
♦ J 10 9 5 3 2
♣ Q 8 4
  Comment
East has a very weak unbalanced hand and signs off in Diamonds.
West must pass!

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♦ - Pass


Ex. 10     Opener (W)
♠ A J 7
♥ K 8
♦ K 9 8
♣ A J 9 8 3
  Responder (E)
♠ 4
♥ A 5
♦ Q J 10 5 3
♣ K Q 10 7 4
  Comment
East shows a void or singleton and at least 5-4 in the minors. After West shows his 4+card suit, Slam is on.

Bidding : (W) 1NT - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♠ - 4♣ - 6♣



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BR 27.6 - Rubinsohl after Enemy interference (Optional)

After an Opponent interferes over Partner's 1NT with an Overcall, the Rubinsohl Convention provides an elegant and effective method of response, maintaining both the transfer and Stayman options for the Responder.
The responses are :

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - DBL = Normal Take-out double

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - 2NT = transfer to

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - 3♣ ♦ ♥ = transfer to ♦ ♥

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - 2NT 3♣ ♦ ♥ = However : the suit below the Enemy suit = Stayman #

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - 3♠   = 9+ pts, no stopper in Enemy suit, no 4-card major

  • 1NT - (Overcall) - 3NT = 9+ pts, with stopper in Enemy suit, but no 4-card major
# For example :   1NT - (2♣) - 2NT = Stayman       1NT - (2♥) - 3♦ = Stayman       1NT - (2♦) - 3♣ = Stayman   etc.


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BR 27.7 - Deal 117 - 124

Deals 117 - 124 are examples of bidding as outlined in this lesson.


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Copyright © 2011 Michael Furstner (Jazclass). All rights reserved.