The Power 1NT Opening - Facts

Opening bid point ranges for Balanced hands :

1NT Opening = 17-20 pts, balanced     Minimum = 17-18 pts     Maximum = 19-20 pts

Responder must bid with 6+ pts, or even with a good 5 pts hand.
1NT → 2NT = 6-7 pts, and is invitational to 3NT
1NT → 3NT = 8+ pts, to play Other Response options consist of two special features : Modified Stayman and Suit transfers.
A. Modified Stayman 2♣ Convention : the Responder must have a 4-card major.
Opener's Responses at the 2-level show a minimum 17-18 pts
  a. 1NT - 2♣ → 2♦    = 17-18 pts, no 4-card major
  b. 1NT - 2♣ → 2NT = 17-18 pts, both majors
    (Responder may use a transfer to the trump fit major :   3♥3♠   or   4♥4♠)

Opener's Response at the 3-level show a maximum 19-20 pts
  a. 1NT - 2♣ → 3♦ = 19-20 pts, no major suit
  b. 1NT - 2♣ → 3♣ = 19-20 pts, both majors
    (Responder may use a transfer to the trump fit major :   3♥3♠   or   4♥4♠)

B. Suit transfers : must have a 5+card suit.   They have two useful advantages :
1. It puts the Opener "on hold" → Responder can describe his hand in two bids
2. The weak hand will usually be the exposed Dummy hand

Suit transfer → a major suit
With a 5+card major Responder bids the suit one step below his long suit at the 2-level.
Opener then must bid the next suit up the line.
  1. 1NT - 2♥2♠ = usually at the 2-level
  2. 1NT - 2♥3♠ ("super accept") = at the 3-level, showing 19-20 pts and 3+cards support

After Opener's transfer to a major suit, the Responder replies :
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ → Pass = weak hand (Rescue bid)
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ → 2NT (or 3NT) = 5-card major, balanced 5332
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥3♥ (or 4♥) = a 6-card major
1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ → 3♣ (or 3♦) = 4+card suit, unbal. or semi-bal with weak doubletons

With 5-4 in the majors : bid 2♣ first, then if required bid your 5-card major
With 5-5 in the majors : transfer to ♠, then bid 3♥

Suit transfer → a minor suit
Usually only do a minor suit transfer with an unbalanced hand an no 4-card major.
But you may also transfer with a semi-balanced hand which contains two weak doubletons.
1NT - 2♠ → transfet to 3♣         1NT - 3♣ → transfet to 3♦

Responder's replies are similar to replies after a major suit transfer, except :
1NT - 3♣ - 3♦3♥ (or 3♠) = a singleton or void in a bid major suit
1NT - 3♣ - 3♦ → 3NT = 54 in the minors with two weak doubletons

Any immediate Response at the 3-level is forcing :   1NT - 3♥   (no transfer)
It shows a 6+card suit, and an interest in Slam.

Do not use transfers when Opponents enter the bidding !
After Enemy interefrence :
1NT - (2♥) → DBL = Stayman with 6-7 pts (Opener may either Pass or reply)
1NT - (2♥) → 3♥ (raise Opponent's Overcall suit) = Stayman with 8+ pts

© 2016 Michael Furstner