
.
VS
Defense After Unusual Notrump (Basic System is ,¨, & ¸)
with Modifications and Extensions presented by Mike Savage
After
1-of-a-suit and a 2 NT overcall, you always know which two suits the 2NT bidder
holds. Basic defensive strategy over our
major suit opening/2NT is to cue-bid the lower of their suits to show
the unbid major and bid the higher of their suits to show good support for
partner’s suit; both bids showing invitational or better values. Three
of partner’s suit is a competitive raise and double will be penalty oriented
but may also be a balanced hand, invitational or better with 3-card trump
support. If partner opens 1-of-a-minor,
followed by 2 NT showing both minors (rarely), then 3C is a transfer to
hearts, 3D is a transfer to spades, both invitational or better & 3H/3S are weak, showing a
good suit.
1.
After 1 of a Major –
2 NT - for both minors:
Double = Shows defense and inviting partner to double or pass with
defense.
Rebids by Doubler (example: 1H 2NT DBL 3C: Pass Pass ?).
Dbl = Penalty
3 of Opener’s
Major = Invitational, three trumps & good defense.
3 of Unbid Major = 4-card
suit, forcing with strength in unbid suit.
3NT = To play with good
defensive values.
4C/4D =
Slam interest cue-bids with a fit and a balanced hand.
3
Clubs = Shows five or
more cards in the other major & is invitational
or better.
Response: 3D = Denies 3-card
support or a 6-card major suit.
¨ 3 Diamonds = Shows an invitational or better raise in opener’s
major.
3 of Opener’s
Major = A competitive raise, about 6-8/9 points and four trumps.
¸ 3 of Unbid Major = Shows a very good
6-card suit with nothing else outside.
3NT = 4 cards in the other
major, 3 of partner’s major and game values or better.
4 Clubs/4 Diamonds = Splinter raises;
at least four trumps and game values.
2.
After 1 of a Minor – 2
NT - for hearts and the other minor (2 lowest unbid suits):
Double = Showing defense and inviting partner to double or pass
with defense.
Rebids by Doubler (example: 1D 2NT DBL 3C: Pass Pass ?):
Dbl =
Penalty
3 of
Opener’s Minor = Invitational with good defensive values.
3S = Natural (4 cards usually), forcing with strength in the
unbid suit.
3NT = To play with good defensive values.
3 of Opener’s Minor = A
constructive, mildly invitational raise with a good fit.
¨ 3 of Opponent’s Minor = Shows minor stopped, a fit for
partner & game values.
3 Hearts = Transfer to spades and shows invitational or better values.
¸
3 Spades = Shows hearts stopped and at least game going values.
3 NT = To play.
Usually with a fit and both opponents’ suits stopped.
4 of Other Minor or 4 Hearts = Splinter, forcing raise and
five or more trumps.