Response To 1NT

Responses To 1NT

Rev: July 5, 2001

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Treatment of NT Responses When:

	Opener bids 1NT
	Overcalling 1NT over opponent's opening bid (but not in the balancing seat)
	Overcalling 2NT over opponent's opening weak two-bid.

Requirements for Bidding NT:

	A balanced hand with 15 - 17 HCP.
	A worthless doubleton is OK.
	A stopper in opponent's suit is promised when overcalling NT after opponent opens.
	And (according to Marty Bergen): Always open 1NT with a five-card major with 15 - 17 HCP and no more than one doubleton (which may be worthless). No exceptions. The benefits outweigh the risks.
	With a good 6-card minor suit, 15 - 17 HCP and semi-balanced (shape of 2/3/2/6) it may be best to open 1NT if having high honors in shorts suits: Example: Kx Kxx Ax AQTxxx……..open 1NT.

Responding When Opponents Interfere

When Opponents Double 1NT All Systems Are On

Bid a suit as if the opponent had passed - "systems are on".

Redouble - depending on partnership aggrement:

Suggests penalty of opponent’s eventual contract.

OR, having a minor suit, you redouble asking partner to bid 2C which you pass holding clubs or correct to 2D holding diamonds.

When Opponents Overcall 1NT - Treatment 1: "Systems Always On"

When opponents overcall 2C, 2D, 2H, 2S or 2NT - your double means "stolen bid".

[ 1NT 2C DBL.... is Stayman.

When opponents overcall 2C, 2D, 2H, 2S or 2NT - any bid (other than a double) by you at the cheapest level is a "systems on" bid.

[ 1NT 2H 3C.... is Stayman

[ 1NT 2H DBL.... is a transfer to spades (stolen bid)

[ 1NT 2D 2H.... is a transfer to spades

[ 1NT 2S 3D.... is a transfer to hearts

When Opponents Overcall 1NT- Treatment 2: Limited "Systems Always On"

When opponents overcall 2C or 2D - your double means "stolen bid".

When opponents overcall 2H, 2S or 2NT - your double is for penalty (no "stolen bid" doubles for opponent overcalls greater than 2D)

[ 1NT (2C or 2D) DBL.... this is a "stolen bid double".

[ 1NT (2H, 2S or 2NT) DBL.... is a penalty double - no "stolen bid" at this level.

Any suit bid over opponent's overcall is still "systems on".

[ 1NT 2S 3C.... is Stayman

When Opponents Overcall 1NT- Treatment 3: "Systems Always Off"

Except when opponents double, all systems are off.

Bids are natural and non-forcing

When Opponents Interfere Over 1NT- Treatment 4: "Lebensohl"

When opponents double, all systems are on.

When opponents overcall the Lebensohl convention is used.

1. Popular Conventions Available

1.1 Major Suits

	Regular Stayman (without Puppet Stayman)
	Regular Stayman (used only in conjunction with Puppet Stayman)
	Puppet Stayman
	Smolen
	Jump bid in a major suit: 3H/1NT and 3S/1NT
	Jacoby Transfers (with super acceptance)
	Texas Transfers

1.2 Minor Suits

	Minor Suit Stayman
	Minor Suit Transfers (with pre-acceptance)

1.3 Responder's Approximate Strength Ranges Classified

	No Game Usually = Less than 8 points
	Invitational (Majors or NT) = 8 to 9 points
	Invitational (Minors) = 11 to 12 points
	Game Going (Majors or NT) = 10+ points
	Game Going (Minors) = 13+ points
	Slam Interest = 15+ points
	Slam For Sure = 18+ points

2. Convention Application Versus Strength Range

	No Game	Invite	Game Going	Slam Interest	Slam
Stayman (Without Puppet)	X	X	X	X	X
Stayman (With Puppet)	X	X
Puppet Stayman			X	X	X
Smolen			X
Jacoby	X	X	X	X	X
Texas			X	X	X
3H/1NT		X
3S/1NT			X	X	X
Minor Suit Stayman		X	X	X	X
Minor Suit Transfers	X	X	X	X	X

3. Convention Application Versus Shape (* = less than 3 cards)

3/*

3/3

4/*

4/3

4/4

5/*

5/3

5/4

5/5

6/*

6/3

6/4

6/5

Stayman

Puppet Stayman

Smolen

Jacoby

Texas

3H/1NT

3S/1NT

Minor Suit Stayman