Jacoby 2NT

Jacoby 2NT is an artificial, game-forcing response to partner's 1M opening bid (e.g. 1 : 2NT). 2NT shows at least 4-card support with 13+ points, and asks opener to describe his/her hand in an effort to probe for slam.

The Jacoby 2NT convention is meant to be used in a 5-card major bidding system that also uses limit raises to show game-invitational strength with major suit support.

Opener's Rebids

Opener's 3-level rebids are:

• 3: Singleton or void in clubs
  
• 3: Singleton or void in diamonds
  
• 3-Major: A rebid of opener's suit shows 17+ points and interest in slam. Asks responder to describe his hand further.
  
• 3NT: Good 13-15 points, balanced, no singleton/void
  

Opener's 4-level rebids are:

• 4: 5+ clubs.
  
• 4: 5+ diamonds
  
• 4-Major: A 4-level rebid of opener's suit shows a minimum hand (11-14 points) and is a signoff bid. After 1 : 2NT, a 4 rebid by opener shows 5+ hearts.

Note: Showing a 5-card side suit has priority over showing a singleton or void.

Responder's Rebids

• After any 3-level rebid by opener, responder can bid any suit (besides the agreed trump suit) to show a first-round control (i.e. an ace or void).
• After ANY rebid by opener, 4NT is Blackwood (or Roman Key Card Blackwood).

Example

		Opener			Responder
		AK843			QJ52
		A932			KQ5
		J			A862
		T98			Q53
		Opener 1 (1) 3 (3) 4 (5) Pass (7)			Responder 2NT (2) 4 (4) 4 (6)

1. 1 shows 12+ points and 5+ spades
2. 2NT shows 12+ points and 4+ spades
3. 3 shows a diamond singleton or void
4. 4 shows first-round diamond control
5. 4 shows first-round heart control
6. 4 shows a willingness to stop in game, and implies the club suit as a concern. With a club ace or void, responder would have bid 4 instead of 4.
7. Pass shows that opener does not have anything extra to show, and is satisified with game.

In Competition

Jacoby 2NT is off in competition. After any interference over opener's 1H/S bid, a 2NT bid by responder is commonly used as an artificial bid showing a limit raise (the Jordan 2NT convention) in opener's suit.

Origins