Partner opens 1NT

There must be no interference bid in between, if there is then bid naturally.

Need a 5 card suit.

You hold      Q J

                   K 10 8 4 2

                   7 5 2

                   K 5 3           (8 high card points)

The ordinary bid is 2H (signing off bid)

Playing transfers bid 2D (1 suit below)

Opener then rebids 2H and the lead is in the strongest hand.

i.e.     1NT  -  2D

          2H

Usually used with major suits rather than ending up playing in a minor.

1NT     reply          2C  (Stayman)

                             2D  for hearts

                             2H  for spades

                             2S  = 11 points (see below)

                             2NT = 12 points        

                             3NT = 13+ points

Partner opens 1NT

You hold      K J 8 3 2

                   Q 7

                   J 9 6

                   A 8 3           (11 high card points)

Bid   2H (showing 5 spades)

Bidding now goes

1 NT  -  2H 

2 S     -  2NT ( showing 11/12 points)

Opener now has a choice of

Pass            12 points and 2 spades

3S               12 points and 3+ spades

3NT            13/14 points and 2 spades

4S               13/14 points and 3+ spades

Partner opens 1NT

You hold      K J 8 3 2

                   Q 7

                   J 9 6

                   A K 3          (14 high card points)

Bid   2H (showing 5 spades)

Bidding now goes

1 NT  -  2H 

2 S     -  3NT ( showing 13+  points)

Opener now has a choice of

3NT            2 spades

4S               3+ spades

With a 6 card suit and 9 – 11 points raise the suit to the 3 level inviting game.

1NT   -   2D

2H     -   3H

Pass

or 4H

With a 6 card suit and 12+ points

1NT   -   2D

2H     -   4H

2S reply to an opening bid of 1NT is can also be used as a transfer to a minor suit. You must agree with partner what you want the bid of 2S to mean.

1NT  -  2S (having clubs or diamonds)

3C     -  leave in 3C if the minor suit is clubs or bid 3D if the minor suit is diamonds.            

Against suit contracts

AK            AKx            KQ10            KQx            KJ10

K109        QJ10           QJx               J10x           10xx

109x         987x          10xxx           Hxxxx          Hxxxxx

Hxxx         Hxx            xx                xxx              xxxx

Against NT contracts

AKx(x)      AJ10x         KQ10            KQx             KJ10

K109         QJ10          QJx               J10x            10xx

10xxx        109x          987x             Hxx             Hxxxxx

Hxxxx        Hxxx          xx                xxx              xxxx

This is useful when the opponent's overcall has used up your bidding space and prevented you from describing your hand.

1C, (1S), X is the same as a 1H bid 6+ pts and 4+ Hs

1C, (1D), X is 1H and 1S, ie. 6+ pt and 4+ Hs and 4+ Ss

1H, (1S), X is 1C and 1D, ie. 6+ pts and 4+ Cs and 4+ Ds

1S, (2D), X is 1H and 6+ pts and 4+ Hs (not strong enough to bid 2H)

1C, (1H), X is 6+ pts and exactly 4 spades. Bid 1S with 5 spades.

In all these cases the double denies the ability to make a natural bid.

You can agree with partner to play negative doubles at a higher level.

* at the 1 level 6 points +

* at the 2 level 8/9 points +

* at the 3 level 10 points +

* In response to your partner's take out double of a Weak 2, if you bid 2NT, you tell your partner that you hold a minimum response.

* Over your 2NT, the doubler is forced to bid 3C. If this is your suit, you just pass. If it is not, you then bid your own suit at the 3 level and your partner knows you have a poor hand.

* If you do not bid the Lebensohl 2NT, but respond at the 3 level, this shows that you have a decent hand with values to bid at the 3 level, usually about 8 -11 points.

* This means that you cannot bid 2NT to play. 2NT is almost never the right contract. If you think NTs is the right bid then bid 3NT immediately.