In his 1970 book "Win at Bridge with Jacoby Modern", Oswald Jacoby listed a couple caveats for bidding 2NT:1
Jacoby 2NT is intended for 5-card major systems that employ limit raises for game invitations. Thus, it fills the need for a game-forcing raise with unlimited strength. The convention doesn't come up often, but is precious in its role.
In ACBL games, Jacoby 2NT is alertable.
After the auction begins
Meaning | |
---|---|
3 | Singleton or void in clubs. Bidding |
3 | Singleton or void in diamonds. Bidding |
3 | If are trumps, then this rebid shows 16+ points with slam interest. It asks responder to describe his hand further.
If are trumps, then this shows a singleton or void in hearts. Bidding |
3 | If are trumps, then this rebid shows 16+ points with slam interest. It asks responder to describe his hand further.
If are trumps, then this shows a singleton or void in spades. Bidding |
3NT | 14-15 points, balanced. The point range varies by partnership agreement. Oswald Jacoby originally wrote that 3NT required "a trifle" more than a minimum. |
4 | 5+ clubs. |
4 | 5+ diamonds. |
4 | If are trumps, then this rebid shows a minimum balanced hand (12-14 points). It is a signoff.
If are trumps, then this shows 5+ hearts. |
4 | If are trumps, then this rebid shows a minimum balanced hand (12-14 points). It is a signoff. |
Many of the above bids overlap. For example, opener might have 5-5-2-1 shape with 12 points. Should she bid the side suit, show the singleton, or simply jump to game?
Generally speaking, the priority of responses are:
Opener has a little latitude, some of which is described in the next section.
When opener bids a 5-card side suit, how good should it be? Modern bridge literature generally advocates some sort of standard. As the thinking goes, you probably don't want to bid something like Jxxxx and leave responder guessing how to value Kxx.
However, expert opinions differ on minimum suit quality. The following are two philosophies.
David Lindop recommends "two of the top three or three of the top five honors." With less, he advises bidding the singleton or void instead.2 This can work nicely in a scenario like
AKxxx opposite Qxx
When opener promises two of the top three honors, responder sees that the suit will run, and takes steps toward bidding a magic slam. However, these strong holdings are uncommon; you could wait a long time to benefit from this agreement.As a more relaxed standard, Larry Cohen recommends a "decent" second suit with the "ace or king".3 Presumably he too would bid his short suit otherwise.
Cohen's approach might be more practical. Promising one top honor still helps partner to judge the fit of the hands, but it allows opener to show side suits more frequently than the former approach.
Jacoby 2NT is off when responder originally passed. In that situation, 2NT is natural and non-forcing, showing a balanced 11-12 HCP.
Opener | Responder | ||||
AK843 | QJ52 | ||||
A932 | KQ | ||||
J | A862 | ||||
T98 | Q53 | ||||
Opener 1 (1) 3 (3) 4 (5) Pass (7) |
Responder 2NT (2) 4 (4) 4 (6) |
Jacoby 2NT is off when the opponents intervene over
The Jacoby 2NT convention is named for its American inventor Oswald Jacoby. See also Jacoby Transfers.
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