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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
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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.
- 1NT - 2♥ → 2♠ = usually at the 2-level
- 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
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