OliverC's Precision Parlour        Guest User

Initial Responses

If you want to play 2NT as a strong balanced then it is suggested you play Stayman/Baron and 4-suit transfers as your Responding Methods. This means that any raise to 3NT has to go via 3♣, since 2NT-3NT is a transfer to Diamonds.

Here are the responses and main sequences for the two methods actually in use in this system:

Weak Minor 2-Suiter

The first method is simply to play a 2NT Opening as a weak minor 2-suiter, with 5-9 points and at least 5-5 distribution.

No complex system of responses is required to this opening, and you can make all bidding natural and non-forcing, or you could try the following:

Multi-style Opening

The second method combines the above with a second option, namely 11-15 with exactly 5-5 in the Majors, and a 3rd option namely a weak pre-empt in Clubs (because 3♣ is used for an intermediate Opening).

Taking 5-5 hands out of the 1♠ Opening sequences, does provide some significant advantages for the 1♠ sequences (eg: in FNT sequences with a eventual Gamma in Hearts, Opener's exact length is now known, and similarly in a natural sequence where Opener rebids their Hearts, the Spades are now known to be 6+ in length).
Similarly, taking most 4-6 hands (with a 4-card Major) out of the 2♣ sequences provides benefits there, so to make up for that it's useful to have some way of pre-empting in Clubs (because a 4!C Opening shows a decent 4-level pre-empt in Hearts!)

The general strategy of the responses using this method are as follows:

• With any weak hand, or one with interest only opposite a Major 2-suiter, Responder bids their better Minor, giving preference to Clubs if even-suited in the Minors in case Opener has the Club pre-empt). Opener now passes with the Minor 2-Suiter or bids 3♥ with the Major 2-Suiter. If Opener converts to 3♥, then 4♣ is now Beta but any other continuations are natural. If Opener has the Club pre-empt and responder does anything other than bid 3♣, then Opener bids 3NT to show the Club pre-empt.
  
• With an invitational hand containing good support for one Major and one Minor (and quite often a shortage in the other Major), Responder bids their better Major. Opener now passes or converts to 4 of the Major (depending on range) with the Major 2-Suiter, bids 3NT with the Club pre-empt, or converts to 4♣ with the Minor 2-Suiter. All continuations are natural and non-forcing.
  
• With a game-going balanced hand wanting to play in 3NT opposite the Minors or the Club Pre-empt and in game or better opposite the Majors, Responder bids 3NT:

  2NT-3NT	-4♣	shows the Major 2-Suiter. Now:
  		-4♦	is a range/distribution enquiry.
  			-4♥	shows any minimum hand. Responder passes or converts, or may bid 4NT as Beta
  			-4♠	shows maximum with a Diamond singleton. 4NT is Beta.
  			-4NT	shows maximum with a Club singleton. 5♣ is Beta.
  			-5♣	shows maximum with a Diamond void. 5♦ is Beta.
  			-5♦	shows maximum with a Club void. No Beta permitted.
  	-4♦	shows the Minor 2-Suiter, minimum range. All continuations are natural except for 4♥ Beta.
  	-4♥	shows the Minor 2-Suiter, maximum range with a Spade shortage. All continuations are natural except for 4♠ Beta.
  	-4♠	shows the Minor 2-Suiter, maximum range with a Heart shortage. All continuations are natural except for 4NT Beta.

• With a strong distributional hand interested in a game or slam opposite either of the hand types (eg: a strong 2-suiter with one Major and one Minor with at least a tolerance for Clubs), Responder bids 4♣:

  2NT-4♣	-4♦	shows the Major 2-Suiter. Now:
  		-4♥	Shows no interest in more than game in Hearts
  		-4♠	Shows no interest in more than game in Spades
  		-4NT	is Gamma in Hearts. A relay over the response is Beta.
  		-5♣	is Gamma in Spades. A relay over the response is Beta.
  	-4♥	shows the Minor 2-Suiter. Now:
  		-4♠	is Gamma in Clubs. A relay over the response is Beta.
  		-4NT	is Gamma in Diamonds. A relay over the response is Beta.
  		-5♣	Shows no interest in more than game in Clubs
  		-5♦	Shows no interest in more than game in Diamonds
  	-4NT	shows the Club pre-empt. Continuations natural.

Notes

• If you use the Multi-style Alternative shown above, you will have to adapt your responses over 1♠ Openings, particularly, but also your Cambridge Heart Complex rebids and responses:
  • The sequences 1♠-1NT-2♥ and 1♠-1NT-3♥ are now definitely promising only 4-card Hearts, so the "Length Known" species of Gamma is used if Responder makes the 2nd-cheapest relay. (Alternatively the second-cheapest relay could be Eta rather than Gamma when Hearts have been shown
  • In natural sequences like 1♠-2x-2♥ Responder should remember that Opener will only have 4-card Hearts.
  • The sequence 1♣-1♦-3NT now shows 26-27 balanced.
  • The sequence 1♣-1♦-1♥-1♠-3NT now shows 28+ balanced.