Basic and Advanced Responses
Presented by Mike Savage
Jacoby 2NT shows at least
four-card support for your partners one of a major opening and normally a
balanced hand with opening values or more. It is only used when there has been
no interference by the next hand. Just below are the standard basic
responses to Jacoby 2NT.
1H or 1S 2NT = Shows at least opening values, normally balanced
and four (plus) trumps.
Basic 3C/3D = Shows a singleton or void. Does not promise extra high-card points.
Responses: 3 of the other major = Shows a singleton or void. Doesnt promise extra HCP.
3 of openers major = Shows strong slam interest and asks partner to cue-bid
controls, usually up the line or bid 4NT if appropriate.
3NT = Shows a balanced, mild slam try. Accept with cue-bid or Blackwood.
4C/4D/4H(after 1S) = Shows a five-card suit. Doesnt promise extra HCP.
4 of openers major = Shows a minimum
opener with no slam interest.
You can use Jacoby 2NT just to set trumps and then bid Roman Key-card Blackwood.
Some
partnerships play that 3NT, after Jacoby 2NT, shows a bigger hand
than 3 of openers major.
Many expert partnerships dont like describing their distribution in detail to the opponents - helping them defend more accurately - unless they are really interested in slam. With that in mind, I have developed some advanced, more comprehensive responses to Jacoby 2NT starting with this basic concept, used by the Kirkhams: To show an unknown stiff or void, bid 3C with extras and 3D without.
1H or 1S 2NT = Shows at least opening values, normally balanced & four (plus) trumps.
Advanced 3C = Shows a stiff or void or a 6+ card suit; both showing slam interest.
Responses: 3D = Request to describe shortness or show a 6+ card suit (step responses).
3H = Shows an
unknown void (step
Œ).
3S = Asks you to cue-bid void. 3NT shows void is in the other major.
3S = Shows a singleton in the other major (step ).
3NT = Shows
6-3-2-2 or 7-2-2-2 distribution with slam interest.
4C/4D
= Shows a singleton in the suit bid.
3NT = Denies any 1st/ 2nd round controls outside trumps & is a minimum.
3D = Shows an unknown singleton or void with a minimum and no slam interest.
3H = Shows extras and asks partner to bid shortness (step responses).
3S = Shows an
unknown void (step Œ).
3NT = Asks you to cue-bid void (after 1H; 4H shows a spade void).
3NT = Shows a singleton in other major (step ).
4C/4D
= Shows a singleton in the suit bid.
3 of the other major = Natural with 5-4 distribution and slam interest.
3NT = Shows either the ace or king of partners 2nd major.
3 of openers major = Usually a minimum but could have mild slam interest.
3NT = Mild slam try. Accept by cue-bidding or bidding 4NT.
Cue-bids = Strong try. Accept with cue-bid or bidding 4NT.
3NT = Shows strong slam interest and asks partner to bid any outside controls.
4C/4D/4H (after 1S) = Optional (not recommended): Shows a fair to good 5-card suit.
4 of openers major = Shows great trumps, no outside aces and a minimum.