Monday, April 5

Today we talked about NoTrump bids and rebids, both by Opener and by Responder.

The two big differences to remember are that Opener's NT shows (relative) balance, while Responder's does not (and is in fact often artificial/conventional.)  Also FAST ARRIVAL ideas tend to not apply in NT - i.e., you do have to jump to show extras.

OPENER'S NT BIDS AND REBIDS:

1x - 1y - 1NT:  12-14 pts

1NT:  15-17 pts

1x - 1y - 2NT:  18-19 pts

2NT:  20-21 pts

2c - 2x - 2NT:  22-24 pts

2c - 2x - 3NT:  25-27 pts

and then some special cases:

3NT:  Gambling, shows a long (7c+) solid minor suit and NO outside cards in 1st/2nd seat

1m - 1y - 3NT:  shows long minor WITH an outside card

and 2/1 sequences:

1x - 2z - 2NT:  12-14 OR 18+ pts

1x - 2z - 3NT:  15-17 pts

Responder's NT bids are very different:

1m - 1NT:  6-9 pts, no 4c M

1m - 2NT:  10-11 pts, no 4c M

1m - 3NT:  12-15 pts, no 4c M

1M - 1NT:  1NT Forcing*

1M - 2NT:  Jacoby 2NT

1M - 3NT:  varies, but a good agreement is 13-15 pts, 4333 shape (not 4c support)

I'll be gone the next two weeks, but you'll have Kathy.

:)