Unusual Notrump

When the opponents open in a major suit and you have at least 5-5 distribution in the minors you have a way to show this hand, jump to 2N. This is called The Unusual Notrump and it asks partner to pick a minor. (This bid is not needed to show a "big hand", because if you have 19+ HCP you start with a takeout double and then bid 2N...)

5-5 hands are usually powerful offensive hands (capable of taking many tricks should your side get the contract) and are often poor defensive hands (not capable of taking many tricks should the opponents get the contract.) The primary purpose of The Unusual Notrump is to be preemptive. You will usually not bid again and allow partner to place the contract or compete as needed.

When the opponents open 1C/1D your jump to 2N is still The Unusual Notrump, but instead of showing 5-5 in the minors it shows 5-5 in the lowest unbid suits. That is...

1C-2N This shows 5+D and 5+H!
1D-2N This shows 5+C and 5+H!

Dlr: N S K Q 8 6 4
Vul: None H Q 10 5

D Q 7 3

C K 3
S A 9 5 2
S 3
H A J 9 7
H 4 3
D J
D A 10 9 8 2
C A 9 5 4
C Q J 10 6 2

S J 10 7

H K 8 6 2

D K 6 5 4

C 8 7

North East South West
1S 2N (1) 3S 5C
All pass

Finally, you may have noticed that I have not mentioned HCP related to bidding The Unusual Notrump. That is because HCP are not as important when you have distributional hands. Having said that, you do want to have some HCP and the usual accepted range is 5-11 HCP. The important factor is that your points are atop your long suits. This makes the same HCP a more valuable offensive hand. You want to have at least 5 HCP since you are forcing partner to bid at the 3-level. You don't want to have much more than 11 HCP because your primary reason for making this bid is to tell partner you are interested in preempting or sacrificing. With 5-5 distribution and 12+ HCP just bid your suits naturally, starting with the higher ranking one.