JACOBY 2NT RESPONSES TO 1 MAJOR

In a 5-card major system, the 2NT response has no natural meaning, so it can be put to an alternative use. It basically can be used as a flat game forcing hand in the major, with a view to exploring slam possibilities. (This is not quite true within a 4-card major system, but the change is still well worth it).

So a summary of support responses to 1♥:

2♥ - limit bid 5–8 points (or 9+ losers)

3♥ - limit bid 11–12 points (or 8 losers)

2NT – Jacoby response – 13+ points with trump support (see below)

4♥ - pre-emptive 7–10 points

Splinter bids (3♠, 4♣, 4♦) – singleton or void plus trump support.

If not using ‘losing trick count’, with 9-10 points change suit and show delayed support.

3NT – balanced 13+ points no heart support (three cards or less). (This could of course be passed if responder also has a balanced hand, particularly in pairs) A bid to avoid.

2NT  (Jacoby response):

Shows 13 + points – game forcing – support for major Shows 13 + points – game forcing – support for major (4+ cards - 4-card major; 3+ cards with honour - 5-card majors). This hand usually controls the contract thereafter.

The opener’s responses focus on showing shape as follows (assume 1♥ opening):

3♣, 3♦, 3♠ - singleton or void in the suit 13+ points.

4♣, 4♦, 4♠ - secondary good four/five card suit – a source of tricks

3NT – intermediate hand 15-16 points, with no singleton or void.

3♥ - strong hand 17+ points, with no singleton or void.

4♥ - all other minimum hands (12-14 points).

Note:

- with a minimum (11) opening bid, and a singleton or void, don’t show the feature. If responder is particularly strong he can bid again.

- with a good secondary four/five card suit and a singleton or void, give preference to showing the four/five card suit (remember this also implies a singleton or void).

- same applies for 1♠ opening

Examples:

a)♠ 2♠ A73

♥ KJ984♥ Q1072

♦ AJ872♦ KQ

♣ A8♣ K953

1♥                            2NT

4♦ (5 card suit)         4NT (RKCB)

5♦ (3 key cards)       6♥

Over the 2NT, opener shows his second suit. Responder’s ♦KQ are now very useful. With one key-card missing, settle for the small slam.

b)♠ AK2♠ QJ3

♥ KQ984♥ AJ72

♦ QJ72♦ 84

♣ 8♣ KQJ3

1♥                            2NT

3♣                            4♥

Opener shows the singleton club, which is not to responder’s liking. Settle for 4♥. With a better hand he may progress.

c)♠ AJ2♠ KQ3

♥ K10984♥ AJ72

♦ QJ72♦ 84

♣ 8♣ A973

1♥                            2NT

4♥                            pass

Opener shows a minimum hand rather than showing the singleton. With ♦A instead of ♦Q (13 points), show the singleton club.

d)♠ A2♠ KQ3

♥ KQ984♥ AJ72

♦ AK73♦ 84

♣ 86♣ A973

1♥                            2NT

3NT                         4♣ (cue)

4♦ (cue)                    4♥

4♠ (cue)                    4NT (RKCB)

5♦ (3 key cards)       6♥

Action Over Opposition Bid Over 2NT

Example - 1♥ - pass – 2NT - 3♣

Double           - singleton (in clubs)

4♣                  - void in clubs

3♥                  - 17+ points with a club stop (A, Kx, Qxx)

3NT               - 15-16 points with a club stop

4♥                  - 11-14

Pass               - forcing (any strength)

AFH