1NT: The Ultimate Preempt

2 Invitational Puppet Stayman

2/2/2/3 To Play

3 Minor Suit Slam Try

3/3 Forcing

When you think of a preemptive bid, you probably think of an opening bid at the two, three or four level. These preempts are effective and important to a good, aggressive game of bridge. But, the most effective preempt you can make is actually 1NT. An important bridge maxim is "whoever bids NT first wins." How true that is!

Since 1NT is such an effective preempt, it seems logical to be able to use it as frequently as possible. Our opening 1NT shows 10-13 HCP, regardless of vulnerability (only in the passout seat does it change to 14-17 HCP). Using 1NT to show 15-17 or 16-18 HCP is a waste of a good bid, because it just doesn't occur frequently enough. About 1/3 of all hands contain 10-13 HCP. You will be dealt 15-17 HCP about 10% of the time and 16-18 HCP about 7% of the time. This does not mean you will get to open 1/3 of all hands 1NT. This is because of distribution or someone opening in front of you. But you will get to open many more hands with the ultimate preempt... 1NT. Why does a weak NT opening work out so well? There are several reasons:

It puts tremendous pressure on the opponents (The Ultimate Preemptive Factor).

• They must guess whether their hand is worth a bid at the two-level.
  • If they pass they might miss a game.
    
  • If they bid they might end up in a poor contract for lack of room to discover their best fit.
    
  • If they bid they have less room to figure out how many points their side has and overbid or underbid.
    
  • If they bid they might catch their partner with nothing and suffer a large low-level penalty.

• Weak NT auctions get to game immediately whenever possible (i.e. 1NT - PASS - 4). In this auction the opponents do not know if the 4 bidder has 6 hearts and 19 HCP or is just making a preemptive bid with 7 hearts and 0 HCP. Similiar to the auction of 2 - PASS - 4, it puts the opponents to a guess.
  

• It puts your partner in a comfortable position.
  

• Partner will have a lot of knowledge about your hand from your first bid and feel confident throughout the auction.

These are just some of the reasons to play Weak NTs. Of course, as with any system, you will experience some bad results because of it. Guaranteed. The bad results might be because of:

• Playing the contract from the wrong side.
  
• Bidding and going down when the hand would have been passed out.
  
• Getting doubled in a partscore AND being set more than the value of the opponents game (this happens much less frequently than you might think).

When you play Weak NTs, with Strong NT hands you open 1 of a suit and rebid 1NT. Is this a major disadvantage? Not significantly. I've found that opening 1 of a suit with stronger hands sometimes helps to evaluate game and slam possiblities better.

If the system is played correctly, the good results will outweigh the bad. I personally tracked the matchpoints on hundreds of hands where my partner or I opened a Weak NT. The average was approximately 65%. You don't have to be a statistican or a bridge expert to realize the signifcance of that figure. Take the good results with the bad. In the long run you will be well ahead of the strong notrumpers.

You may open 1NT with semi-balanced distributions (i.e. 5-4-2-2, 6-3-2-2, 7-2-2-2), even if the two doubletons are unstopped! 1NT can also be opened with a five card major if it is not strong enough to open 1 or 1 (10-11 HCP). Possible 1NT openers are:

KJ5 A943 Q842 97

984 Q8542 JT AKJ

T7 AQJ K86532 J3

Other Bids When Playing a Weak NT

With the strong NT hands you must open of a suit. A rebid of 1NT shows 14-16. A rebid of 2NT shows 17-19. Also, there are other auctions where you can infer extra values from a NT rebid. For example, 1 - 2 - 2NT (opponents passing) would show 14-16; 3NT, 17-19.

A common problem with any range of NT is what to do with NT strength and a five card major. What do you rebid after you open 1, partner responds 1 and you have a 5-3-3-2 type hand? For weak NT users some of the choices are:

A) After 1-1, a 1NT rebid is standard (12-14). Make up a bid with a 5-3-3-2, 15-17 (rebid your five card suit or bid a three card suit).
B) After 1-1, a 1NT rebid is a strong NT, 14-16. Open 1NT with a 5-3-3-2, 10-13 and a five card major.
C) After 1-1, a 1NT rebid is a strong NT, 14-16. Open 1NT with a 5-3-3-2, 10-11 and a five card major. With 12-13, and a 5-3-3-2 rebid 2 unless your doubleton is in clubs, then bid 2 (like a forcing NT response).

I've played all three systems. A) is too awkward. B) is good because you get to open with the ultimate preempt more often, but C) is slightly better because the "field" will be opening 1 with your hand and you will lose on partscore hands where the major suit plays better than NT. The ambigous 2/ rebids rarely occur and cause a problem even less.

			North			South
			KJ5			Q98
			QT3			KJ62
			AJT9			T85
			A84			762
			1 1NT			1 Pass

North's 1NT rebid shows 14-16.

			North			South
			KJ5			Q98
			QT3			KJ62
			AJT9			T85
			AK4			762
			1 2NT			1 Pass

North's 2NT rebid shows 17-19.

			North			South
			AKJ3			Q982
			98			KJ62
			K972			T85
			KT8			Q6
			1 1 Pass			1 2

North should bid 1 to show the four card suit.

			North			South
			KJ92			AQ4
			KJT			AQ52
			KJ6			T95
			KJ5			T72
			1 1NT Pass			1 3NT

With such a balanced and NT oriented hand, North should skip over the four card spade suit. South has the option of going through Checkback Stayman (see next section) to find a 4-4 spade fit.

Checkback Stayman

After the bidding goes 1/1/1 - 1 major - 1NT (14-16):

• 2 is a relay to 2 and says you either want to play 2 OR have invitational (but not game forcing) values and are interested in a major suit game. If you make any bid after the relay to 2, then you are showing invitational values.
  

• 2 promises game forcing values (good 11+ HCP) and tends to show interest in a major suit game. Rules of a game forcing auction apply (fast arrival denies slam interest, jumps in NT show extra strength). See section on fast arrival for a more detailed description.
  

• A new suit past 2 at the two or three level is a weak hand, non-forcing (the only exception is a reverse in the auction 1/1 - 1 - 1NT - 2)

Checkback Stayman can also be played after a rebid of 2NT. This is commonly called a Wolff Signoff. 3 shows a weak hand that wants to signoff. 3 creates a game force.

			North			South
			A83			J64
			QJ8			AT73
			KQJ			T97642
			K953			—
			1 1NT 2			1 2

1NT shows 14 to 16. 2 is a relay to 2 and enables North to play the contract there.

			North			South
			QJ			T852
			AQJ			73
			JT94			AQT83
			QJT7			96
			1 1NT 2			1 2

Again South wants to play 2, so he goes through 2.

			North			South
			K73			QJ862
			A9			J8543
			A9863			72
			AJ5			6
			1 1NT 2			1 2

2 is weak promising at least 5-4 in spades and hearts.

			North			South
			A73			KQT94
			K2			A85
			QJ532			96
			AQT			964
			1 1NT 2 4			1 2 2

Going through 2, and then bidding 2, South shows invitational values with 5 spades. North can PASS, bid 2NT, 3, 3NT or 4. He chooses 4.

			North			South
			QT86			AK64
			KJ7			Q9863
			AJ6			T6
			AJ3			K8
			1 1NT 2			1 2 4

South forces to game with 2, and North shows 4 spades. South denies any interest in slam with 4.

			North			South
			KJ4			AQ832
			KJ7			AT84
			KJ32			Q6
			QJ6			K8
			1 1NT 2 4			1 2 3

2 shows 3 spades (don't worry about the distribution). 3 is forcing and shows at least mild slam interest. 4 shows NO slam interest (his hand couldn't be too much worse!).

Responses to 1NT

Our responses to 1NT are very scientific. You can find out opener's point count, length in the majors or minors, and can escape into a good contract if 1NT is doubled.

• 2 is a Modified Puppet Stayman promising invitational values (11+ -15-), but denying game forcing values.
  
• 2/2/2/3 shows a five card or longer suit (3 shows 6) and 0-11 HCP.
• 2NT is game forcing showing a balanced or semi-balanced hand, interest in a major suit game and 15+ HCP (similar to 2 Game Forcing Stayman).
• 3 shows interest in a club or diamond slam (similar to Minor Suit Stayman).
• 3/3 shows 5+ of that suit and an unbalanced hand. Game Forcing.
• 3NT, 4, 4, 6H, 6S, 6NT, 7NT are to play.
• 4 is Standard Gerber.
• 4NT invites 6NT.
• 5NT invites 7NT.

If the opponents overcall:

• Lebensohl (Fast Action Denies Stopper)
  
• Negative Doubles (at the 3-level only)

If the opponents double (regardless of what the double means):

• Brozel Escapes (Mandatory Reopen)

A bid of 2 in response to 1NT shows enough values to invite game, but not enough to force to game. The range for this bid is 12 (or a very good 11) to a bad 15 HCP. Opener's bids 2 or 2 with a 5 card major, 3 or 3 with a 6 card minor or bids 2 with any other hand. After 2 you bid 4 card majors up the line. NOTE: This is different than the normal Puppet Stayman used in 2NT - Game Forcing or after a 2 opener and a 2NT rebid. Here are some examples of how two hands might be bid:

			North			South
			A974			JT
			A32			T973
			T853			AKQ
			QJ			K862
			1NT 2 2			2 2 2NT

2 shows no 5 card major or 6 card minor;
2, 4 or more hearts;
2, no heart fit, but 4 spades and a minimum hand (with a maximum you would jump to 3);
2NT, no spade fit.

			North			South
			QJ8			AK953
			K4			A65
			A9762			JT84
			Q72			9
			1NT 2 4			2 3

3 shows a 5 card suit. North is happy to accept the invitation. NOTE: Since 2 already denied a game forcing hand, 3 is non-forcing.

			North			South
			JT4			A53
			AQJ84			KT52
			K3			AQT94
			T84			6
			1NT 2			2 4

2 is a 5 card suit with 10-11 HCP. South's hand reevaluates to a 4 bid.

			North			South
			AT2			K53
			K986			T
			6532			QJT
			AT			KQJ984
			1NT 2 3NT			2 3

Since 2 already promises invitational values, 3 emphasizes the club suit. North realizes how valuable the is, and accepts.

After a 1NT opener from partner, these are signoff hands (2/2/2/3 respectively):

943 J8 Q8653 AJ9

QJ3 QJ872 KJ4 J2

86542 732 653 94

952 53 T8 J98642

Opener is expected to pass, but can raise with good 4 card support or compete with any 4 card support. 6 clubs are required for 3, but only 5 are necessary for 2, 2 or 2. The range for this bid is 0-11 (with a very good 11, you can bid 2). With a no trumpish hand and good entries you might consider passing 1NT as opposed to bidding 2 or 3. Never pass 1NT with a five card major.

Playing 2NT as game forcing is quite effective combined with our 2 as Invitational Puppet Stayman, and 3 looking for a minor suit slam. It is superior to Two-Way Stayman because you get to describe all the same hands Two-Way Stayman does, plus you get to play 2. 2NT Game Forcing is easy to respond to because you bid your shape as if partner opened 2NT (standard).

After 1NT - 2NT:

• 3 - Puppet Stayman (the most common rebid)
  
• 3 - 5 hearts
  
• 3 - 5 spades
  
• 3 - 5-4 in the minors, 12-13 HCP
  
• 3NT - No interest in any other contact

After 1NT - 2NT - 3:

• 3 - One or both four card majors
  
• 3 - 5 hearts
  
• 3 - 5 spades
  
• 3NT - Neither 4 nor 5 of either major

After 1NT - 2NT - 3 - 3:

• 3 - 4 spades
  
• 3 - 4 hearts
  
• 3NT - No interest in a four card major, was interested in a five card major
  
• 4 - 4 hearts and 4 spades, asks 2NT bidder to bid their major (or better major with both)

			North			South
			J863			AQT
			KJ7			AQ63
			Q853			K9
			AJ			Q762
			1NT 3 3			2NT 3 3NT

3 is Puppet Stayman, 3 shows one or both four card majors, 3, a four card spade suit, 3NT denies a spade fit.

			North			South
			AJ85			KQ93
			QJ62			K94
			JT			8532
			QJ9			AK
			1NT 3 4			2NT 3 4

In this auction, 4 shows both majors.

			North			South
			JT7			AQ954
			J2			A87
			A842			K65
			AT94			QJ
			1NT 3 4			2NT 3

3 - Puppet Stayman, 3 - 5 spades, 4 - Spade fit, no serious slam interest (a cuebid would indicate a fit and serious slam interest).

			North			South
			A95			K6
			JT852			AKQ43
			K62			Q7
			Q9			AKT8
			1NT 3 4 5			2NT 3 4NT 6

3 - 5 card heart suit (transfer), 3 - Cuebid, 4 - Cuebid, 4NT - RKC for hearts, 5 - 1 key card (can't be 4 after a weak NT opening), 6 - Good Job!

			North			South
			AT7			KQJ96
			A6			K94
			A843			K75
			T842			AK
			1NT 3 4 5			2NT 3 4NT 6

3 - Puppet Stayman, 3 - 5 card suit, 4 - Cuebid showing slam interest, 4NT - RKC for spades, 5 - 0 or 3 keycards (obviously 3 from South's hand), 6 - South can see 11 tricks and figures there is likely a 12th trick somewhere since North cuebid 4.

This shows a hand that is interested in a minor suit slam. It is similar to Minor Suit Stayman. This is bid is game forcing and asks opener to show his shape. The responses are:

3 - At least 4 clubs
3 - At least 4 diamonds
3NT - Neither 4 clubs nor 4 diamonds
4 - At least 4 clubs and 4 diamonds

			North			South
			T873			A6
			AJ			K94
			AKT3			QJ875
			T84			AKQ
			1NT 3 4 5			3 4 4NT 6

3 expresses interest in a minor suit slam, 3 shows 4+ diamonds, 4 agrees on diamonds as trump, 4 is a cuebid (first or second round control), 4NT is Roman Key Card Blackwood for diamonds. The 5 response is 0 or 3 key cards (South knows it's 3).

			North			South
			Q6			—
			AJ982			T6
			AT9			KQJ8732
			863			AKJ5
			1NT 3NT 4 5			3 4 4 6

After North shows no four card minor, South's bid of 4 shows 6+ diamonds. 4 is an encouraging cuebid (5D would be discouraging). South cuebids 4. North with nothing more to say bids 5. South has an easy 6 call.

When your partner opens a Weak NT, and you have a game forcing hand which is unbalanced and contains at least one 5 card or longer major, you should forego the 2NT response and bid the longer major at the three level. This action is forcing to game, shows length in the bid suit and asks partner to:

A) Bid 3NT with only 2 card support
B) Raise to 4 with 3 card support
C) Cuebid a new suit with 3 or more card support and a good control

			North			South
			Q642			AKJT85
			9853			6
			A9			KQ84
			AQ5			K7
			1NT 4 5			3 4NT 6

3 shows a game forcing hand, unbalanced.
4 is a cuebid in support of spades, showing 12-13 HCP, at least 3 card support and the A or K.
4NT is RKC for spades.
5 shows 2 keycards with the queen. South bids 6 knowing that North has the A.

			North			South
			94			AKJT85
			KJ753			6
			752			KQ84
			AQ9			K7
			1NT 3NT 4			3 4

3NT by North shows a doubleton spade.
4 is a second suit.
4 would be a cuebid for diamonds by North, so he simply corrects. South is discouraged and passes. Note that a cuebid by North can't be a cuebid for spades, because 3NT denied 3 spades. North should raise even with a 4-3-3-3 distribution because South is unbalanced. South could have gone through 2NT with possible interest in NT.

			North			South
			62			AKJT85
			Q43			6
			AT972			KQ84
			AJ5			K3
			1NT 3NT 5			3 4 6

The auction continues the same except this time North has great diamond support and announces his enthusiasm by cuebidding 5. South figures the slam is a decent shot.

One reason people fear playing the Weak NT is that you might get doubled and go for a telephone number. This escape system will get you out of almost all doubles. It is a bit more complex than most escape systems, but well worth learning. Look in Appendix A for a detailed description of other escape systems to compare to ours.

Regardless of what the double means (penalty, one suited hand, two suited hand, the majors), the escapes are on. Two suited hands are 4-4 or better. One suited hands will contain a 5 card suit (or 4-3-3-3 distribution).

2 - Clubs & Hearts
2 - Diamonds & Hearts
2 - Spades & Hearts
2 - Spades

REDOUBLE - Two suited hand without hearts (Clubs & Diamonds, Clubs & Spades, Diamonds & Spades).

PASS - Forces partner to redouble. You either want to play 1NT redoubled or you have a one-suited hand and will pull the redouble to that suit.

NOTE: If the auction proceeds 1NT - Pass - Pass - DOUBLE, the 1NT opener just bids his distribution as if the auction went 1NT - DOUBLE. He would bid 2 with clubs and hearts, redouble with both minors or spades & a minor, pass with a single suiter, etc. If the auction proceeds Pass - 1NT - Pass - Pass - DOUBLE, the escapes are off and bidding proceeds naturally, because the cards are unlikely to be seriously stacked against you (and a big penalty against the opponents is likely). Here are some example escape hands:

			North			South
			K53			97
			AJ9			T8753
			Q986			T73
			T53			964
		West     Pass	North     1NT Rdbl		East     Dbl Pass	South     Pass 2

South's PASS is forcing showing either a hand that wants to play 1NT redoubled (usually 10+ HCP) or a single-suited hand.
2 shows ah eart suit. If East or West bid in any of these escapes sequences, North and South should SHUT UP QUICKLY! A good general principle is that when you've successfully escaped, the opponents are in a very awkward position. Let them guess what to do!

			North			South
			653			9
			AQJ5			K862
			K863			T75
			J8			T9764
		West     Pass	North     1NT 2		East     Dbl	South     2

South's 2 shows at least 4 clubs and hearts. North takes his preference.

			North			South
			AJT8			KQ63
			95			T8
			T85			7642
			KQ43			JT3
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 2 2		East     Dbl Pass	South     Rdbl 2

South's redouble shows a two-suited hand without hearts (Clubs &Diamonds, Clubs & Spades, Diamonds & Spades). When South corrects 2 to 2, North knows he must have diamonds and spades and re-corrects to 2.

			North			South
			KJ9			T83
			A986			53
			9853			QJT4
			QJ			K863
		West     Pass	North     1NT 2		East     Dbl	South     Rdbl

After a redouble, North's response will usually be 2, but on this hand he knows diamonds or spades will be a better contract than 2.

			North			South
			QJ3			87
			Q84			975
			Q953			KJT4
			QJ2			KT53
		West     Pass	North     1NT 2		East     Dbl	South     Rdbl

Just in case South has a diamond fit, North bids 2. North is equally happy playing 2 as 2, so, 2 is right just in case South has this hand. Notice that if North bids 2 they will end up playing their 4-3 fit instead of their 4-4 fit. Responding to the redouble is a logical problem... What might partner have?

			North			South
			T85			653
			K83			QJ83
			KQJ3			752
			Q74			T85
		West     Pass	North     1NT Rdbl		East     Dbl Pass	South     Pass 2

Yuck! Sometimes you won't have a one or two-suited hand and you will have to lie and tell partner you have a one-suited hand.

			North			South
			KJ			Q854
			Q9852			6
			J8			T9652
			QJ83			762
		West     Pass Dbl Dbl	North     1NT 2 2		East     Dbl Dbl Dbl	South     Rdbl 2 2

EEEEK! This is the hand we fear, although it hasn't happened to us (yet!). Everyone's bidding was normal. After the two suited RDBL, North hopes with 2, but South bids 2 to show diamonds and spades. South tries 2 showing a five card suit just in case South has T854 763 T965 76, making 2 a better spot (a 5-2 H fit is also possible) or T8543 6 T965 762, making 2 better. Don't let this hand scare you off from the Weak NT, these type of hands will be rare and more often than not the opponents will bid something and rescue you on these hands where THEY will be doomed for a bad result. Weak NTs are really exciting!

			North			South
			A86			J53
			AKJ5			QT73
			653			AJ7
			984			Q63
		West     Pass Rdbl!	North     1NT Rdbl Pass		East     Dbl 2! Pass!	South     Pass Dbl Pass

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. My partner, Rich Unger, and I were sitting North and South. East's hand was (KQx xxxx KQx AKx). He should have passed over North's redouble, obviously. West thought the 2nd redouble was SOS, East didn't have the same idea. Rich and I confess that we burst out laughing at the end of the auction (and kept laughing most of the evening). Double-dummy, we might have been able to beat the hand for +2200, but South, of course, couldn't find a heart lead and we only beat it two for +1000 (the same top). This is an extreme example of the great results you get with Weak NTs and our escape system.

			North			South
			93			82
			AKT64			QJ93
			8752			T964
			K9			753
		West     Pass	North     1NT 3		East     Dbl	South     2!

After South shows diamonds and hearts, North is drooling with the double fit. Although you shouldn't be anxious to jump, this hand is appropriate for a jump at any vulnerability.

			North			South
			A53			864
			A864			KQT2
			K965			84
			T7			J985
		West     Dbl	North     1NT 2		East     Pass Pass	South     Pass 2

North escapes showing diamonds and hearts and South places the contract. Don't forget that the escapes apply after a balancing double is made.

			North			South
			K9			A853
			KT6			QJ3
			Q8652			KT3
			K53			JT7
		West     Dbl	North     1NT Pass		East     Pass Pass	South     Pass Pass

North passes to show a single suited hand and is expecting South to redouble, but South is happy with 1NT doubled. It appears as if West may have been making a light penalty double and is not likely to do that in the future.

REMEMBER: The escapes don't apply if the DBLer in the passout seat has already passed. If the DBLer is a passed hand, opener should bid a good 5 or any 6 card suit, else pass and wait to see if partner can double them. Partner may also want to sit for 1NT doubled (these possibilities are more likely since the DBLer is doubling on a weak hand).

Responses to the 14-17 NT are more "standard." You should use whatever systems you normally use over your Strong NT. We will not go into great detail over our response to the 14-17 NT because they will occur so infrequently. When deciding what to play, keep in mind your partner has less than 12 HCP.

In the Ultimate system after a 4th seat, 14-17 NT:

• 2NT is invitational, not game forcing
  
• Garbage Stayman
  
• Jacoby (2 is a transfer to 3 and could be a diamond bust)
  
• Texas (off after an overcall, on over a double)
  
• Forcing Smolen
  
• 3 - 5/5 in the majors, invitational
  
• 3 - 5/5 in the majors, forcing

			North			South
			K4			T873
			AJ53			QT94
			AJ			T8653
			QJ973			—
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 2		East     Pass Pass	South     Pass 2

South uses Garbage Stayman after the strong NT opener and passes whatever North bids.

			North			South
			QJ6			K852
			K7			AT9542
			AQ85			JT
			QT32			8
		West     Pass Pass Pass Pass	North     1NT 2 3NT 4		East     Pass Pass Pass Pass	South     Pass 2 3 4

South uses Stayman to check for a 4-4 spade fit and then bids 3, Smolen. 3NT shows a doubleton heart and 4 is a transfer to hearts.

			North			South
			J9			KT652
			A94			QJT83
			KJ84			Q
			AKJ7			T5
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 4		East     Pass Pass	South     Pass 3

South bids 3 to show 5/5 in the majors and invitational values (with T8752 JT832 A KQ, he should bid 3).

			North			South
			KQ8			72
			843			KQJ952
			KQ73			—
			KQT			J652
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 4		East     Pass Pass	South     Pass 4

South uses a Texas Transfer after North's 4th seat 1NT.

			North			South
			AJ63			74
			KJ74			95
			Q6			KT5432
			A82			954
		West     Pass Pass Pass	North     1NT 3 Pass		East     Pass Pass Pass Pass	South     Pass 2 3

South bids Minor Suit Stayman and corrects 3 to 3.

Bidding when the opponents interfere after a 1NT opener (Lebensohl)

We use Lebensohl (Slow Shows) when there is interference. A brief summary (natural overcalls):

• A direct jump to 3NT says I have values for 3NT, no interest in a major suit game and no stopper.
• A direct cuebid is Stayman, asking for a four card major and no stopper.
• A new suit at the two-level is to play.
  
• A new suit at the three-level is forcing (5 or more cards).
  
• 2NT is a relay to 3, responder will describe his hand at his next bid.

After the relay:

• 3NT shows the values for 3NT, no interest in a major suit and a stopper.
• A cuebid shows a stopper and is Stayman, asking for a four card major.
• A new suit above overcaller's suit, is invitational.
• A new suit below overcaller's suit, is to play.

			North			South
			KJ63			AT
			A8			T5
			Q874			A93
			T63			AKQ752
		West     Pass	North     1NT Pass		East     2 Pass	South     3NT

3NT shows the values for 3NT without a heart stopper. North has the stopper and can leave it in, without the stopper he would pull 3NT to a minor.

			North			South
			T853			AKQ4
			AK			QT8
			A3			9862
			97542			AQ
		West     Pass	North     1NT 3		East     2 Pass	South     3 4

3 asked for four card major and denied a diamond stopper. North bids his major and South raises to game. If North bid 3, South could be 3NT, leaving the decision up to North, because his original call of 3 denied a stopper.

			North			South
			KT3			AQJ85
			Q64			JT7
			QJ8			953
			A974			82
		West     Pass	North     1NT Pass		East     2 Pass	South     2

2 is to play. Even after the strong NT, 2 would not be a transfer after the overcall.

			North			South
			A83			K9
			97			AJ842
			AQJ83			K75
			T63			A4
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 3NT		East     2 Pass	South     3 Pass

3 is natural and forcing and says nothing about a stopper. North has a stopper, but no support so 3NT looks good. 3 by North would ask for a stopper.

			North			South
			853			AK
			AK7			T63
			QJ93			AK84
			JT4			A652
		West     Pass	North     1NT 3		East     2 Pass	South     2NT 3NT

2NT is a relay to 3 and 3NT after the relay shows the values for 3NT with a spade stopper.

			North			South
			AQJ4			K9
			T3			AKJ5
			Q86			A73
			QJT5			K983
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 3 3		East     2 Pass Pass	South     2NT 3 3NT

3 after the relay is Stayman promising a stopper. 3 shows 4 or 5 spades.

			North			South
			KJT			AQ8532
			K7			A3
			Q85			96
			KJ843			QT9
		West     Pass Pass	North     1NT 3 4		East     2 Pass	South     2NT 3

3 in this sequence is invitational because it is above overcaller's suit. North accepts.

As dealer, what do you open?

Q93 A64 J952 AJ8 1

QJ3 Q83 QJ5 Q742 2

75 942 KJ85 KQJ3 3

KQJ J3 T4 QJ8543 4

QT Q97 KJT7 J983 5

Your partner opens 1NT (10-13) and your RHO passes. What action do you take?

J9864 542 J32 98 6

JT52 J843 J985 4 7

865 942 98632 52 8

AQ8 AK93 J9 JT63 9

A82 K7542 A AJ43 10

J86 J4 QJ63 AKQ5 11

A5 A9 KQ954 AK54 12

AK8532 — J82 QJ75 13

KQ974 QJ A9432 8 14

KQJ6 JT75 AT JT4 15

QJ976432 — 9754 3 16

Your partner opens 1NT (10-13) and your RHO overcalls 2. What action do you take? If you make a relay, also write down what your next bid will be.

KQ7 KQ5 KQ 87532 17

AQJT83 A 532 986 18

9854 AK AK Q8752 19

AJT63 J5 QJ6 AQT 20

AQT82 7 976543 5 21

Your partner opens 1NT (10-13) and your RHO doubles. What action do you take?

874 AK963 92 T72 22

AK852 643 T8 764 23

KQ93 JT42 983 64 24

75 964 JT85 7632 25

986 QT93 J 87532 26

8542 KQJT7 93 73 27

KJ5 KJ6 KJ9 JT84 28

953 J95 JT6 QJT7 29

You open 1NT (10-13) your LHO and partner pass. Your RHO doubles. What action do you take?

AK85 KJ84 972 65 30

J64 K92 K8 KT953 31

KQ65 85 QT93 A84 32

1. 1NT
2. 1NT
3. 1NT, don't worry about having two suits unstopped.
   
4. 1NT, 6 card (and on rare occasions, 7 card) suits are perfectly okay.
5. 1NT, only 9 HCP
6. 2
7. PASS, you can't Garbage Stayman with this system.
8. 2
9. 2NT, game forcing.
10. 3, natural and game forcing.
11. 2, and follow up with 2NT. Vulnerable at IMPs, we would stretch and bid 2NT immediately.
12. 3, a minor suit slam try.
13. 4
14. 2, and over partner's response bid 3, invitational.
15. 2, bid 2 over 2 or raise 2/2.
16. 4, although there are many creative possiblities (2, 3, 3NT, 4, etc.)
17. 2NT, and then 3NT over partner's 3.
18. 2NT, then 3.
19. 2NT, then 3.
20. 3
21. 2
22. PASS. You have a one-suited hand. If partner gets the chance to redouble, you will pull to 2.
    
23. 2. This shows a single suiter in spades. This is the only single suiter you can bid directly.
24. 2. Hearts and Spades.
25. RDBL. Both minors OR spades and a minor.
26. 2. Clubs and hearts.
27. PASS. You could bid 2 for the majors, but your since your five card suit is so much better than your four card suit, treat it as a one suiter.
28. PASS. If your partner redoubles, leave it in. If they bid anything,double it.
    
29. PASS. You are praying one of the opponents will bid. If the redouble comes around to you, bid 2 with confidence and in tempo.
30. 2. Hearts and spades.
31. PASS. One suited hand (could be 4-3-3-3). If partner wants to know your suit he will redouble.
32. RDBL. Both minors OR spades and a minor.