| Modern Acol - 2NT Rebid |
The Two Notrump Rebid after a Simple Two Level Response in a New Suit
i.e. 1D - 2C 1H - 2C or 2D 1S - 2C or 2D or 2H
2NT 2NT 2NT
Traditionally this rebid shows a reasonably balanced 15 or 16 points and is not forcing. In practice this rigid 2NT is only passed when responder is absolutely minimum for his two level response, not a frequent occurrence.
The modern tendency is to use the 2NT rebid as forcing to game. The reason for this is it allows efficient exploration for the best contract when holding strong balanced hands.
As a consequence you can avoid having to bid at the three level in a second four card suit and it removes the obligation to make the stifling lurch to 3NT on a balanced 17 to 19 points.
It also puts constraints on both partners in the following ways:
1. A new suit at the two level must promise at least 10 points (or 9 points
and a reasonable 5 card suit).
2. It follows that if responder's hand does not meet the requirement in 1.
he must bid 1NT. While still showing the normal 6 to 9 points it may,
on occasion, be quite unbalanced (and hence often called the 'negative
1NT')
e.g. (a) x
xx
QJxx
KJxxxx
After 1H from opener you should respond 1NT.
Acol purists may shudder at this heresy, but nothing would make me bid 2C with this
ill- fitting, moth-eaten collection.
3. The 2NT rebid must be a good 15 points or better.
e.g. (b) Jx
AQxxx
KJx
Axx
1H - 2C
?
Bid 2H or 3C; if this ends the auction you are high enough.
e.g. (c) Kx
AJ10xx
AJx
Q10x
1H - 2C
?
Bid 2NT. Opposite something like Qxx; xx; 10xx; AKxxx you want to be in game.
There are a couple of notable exceptions within the negative 1NT philosophy and these
occur when responder has:
(i) Support for opener's major and a fair suit outside.
e.g. (d) Qxx
x
AJ10xx
xxxx
If partner opens 1S, then a spade contract is desirable (partner will have 5 spades a lot
of the time and when he hasn't then he'll be strong balanced).
Game is not out of reach, say
1S - 2D or 1S - 2D
2S - 3S 2H - 2S
The latter is a slight underbid, but the heart rebid does not improve your hand - opener can still try for game (which you will accept) knowing you have a reasonable hand (you did not bid 1NT).
(ii) A long and reasonable heart suit and partner has opened 1S.
e.g. (e) Jx
KQ10xxx
Jxxx
x
1S - ?
If you bid 1NT opener will fit you like a glove! Try 2H and keep your fingers crossed.
You can pass 2S, rebid 3H over 3C or raise 3H to 4H.
Let us examine a few hands to see how the flexible 2NT response works.
e.g. (f) AQJxx
Kxx
AJx
Kx
1S - 2C
?
Using the rigid 2NT you are forced to bid: 3D (promising a suit), 3NT (giving up on
the possible 5-3 spade fit), or 3S (showing a 6 card or longer suit).
None of these options lend themselves to constructive bidding. 2NT (forcing to game)
will allow responder to explore for the best suit game or slam, or to play in 3NT when that is right.
e.g. (g) x
KQJ10x
AQ10xx
Kx
1H - 2C
?
Obviously everyone bids 3D; but can opener have: Qx; KQJ10x; AQ10x; Kx ?
There is a big difference in the hands. If responder bids 3NT you happily pass with
the latter hand - but won't you be worried with the actual hand ?
Using the flexible 2NT you can differentiate between the two below the level of 3NT. A jump rebid in a new suit after a two level response must show an unbalanced hand and/or one worried about playing in 3NT. Now when responder bids 3NT you can pass knowing he has length/values in the black suits and no liking for your suits.
e.g. (h) KQxx
AJ10xx
Qx
Kx
1H - 2D
?
Bid 2NT. This leaves room to find the heart or spade fit and shows the hand to be balanced
with guards in the unbid suits. You may be short in diamonds - this is a matter of style.
e.g. (i) KJ
AJ9xx
Jxx
AJx
1S - 2H
3NT
Opener has 4 spades, less than 3 hearts, stops in both minors and 18-19 points.
A simple raise to 6NT is in order. With any of those criteria missing opener would bid 2NT
e.g. (j) KQ10
Axx
KJ10xx
Kx
1H - 2D
2NT
Since 2NT is a game force we can bid 3D and so explore for the best denomination and then make a
slam try, utilising the bidding space that the forcing 2NT has given us.
"Rigidity is out, flexibility is in" is the slogan of modern Acol !
New Suit Rebid Forcing
Another idea that fits in well with opener's 2NT forcing rebid is the use of a new suit rebid over a two level response as a one round force.
e.g. 1H - 2C When was the last time your partner passed in this situation ?
2D - The negative 1NT makes it almost certain that responder will bid again,
so making a new suit rebid forcing will lose you little. As with the 2NT rebid it
adds a feeling of comfort and security to your auctions and allows the maximum
of room for further investigation.
e.g AJ10xx
AKJx
KQx
x
1S - 2D
?
Do you really want to jump to 3H ? If 2H is forcing it will let partner make a low level descriptive bid which must help you to discover the potential of the two hands.
e.g AKJ10x
x
AQ10xx
Qx
1S - 2C
?
There are also side benefits. Previously your jump to 3D could cover a multitude of hands.
Now it shows a good 5-5 just short of an Acol Two opening bid.
.
e.g. AKJ10x Q
x Kxxx
AQ10xx Kxxx
xx Axxx
1S - 2C
3D - 4NT
5H - 6D
P
Using your present methods I would bet that most of you would bid 3NT and make 11 or 12 tricks. Knowing the hand type and strength of opener's hand you can chance your arm, if two aces are with partner then the slam might depend on the position of the ace of hearts, if one ace then 5D may well be better than 3NT.
So, the 2NT rebid after a two level response, the use of a negative notrump response that denies a 10 count and the change of suit by opener after a two level response as a one round force, will promote your bidding methods from Division 1 to the Premier League in one fell swoop.
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