Pass opener in his second suit:
North:
♠ 8 South North
♥ A Q 8 7 1♠ 1 NT
♦ 6 5 3 2 2♦ Pass
♣ 9 7 6 5
Yuk! North's pass indicates a singleton spade. With two spades, North would bid 2♠. North should not bid 2♥ — bidding 2 in a new suit shows 5+ cards after a 1 NT response. Also note, if South repeated his first suit, North can easily pass.
Bid 2 NT:
North:
♠ Q 8 South North
♥ A Q 8 1♠ 1 NT
♦ J 7 6 2♦ 2 NT
♣ Q 6 5 3 2
North shows a nice balanced hand. He should have 10-12 points, and probably a doubleton in South’s major. Don’t bid 2 NT with 6 to 9 points. Remember, 1 NT Forcing has a point count range of 5 up to 12.
With weak hands, it is usually better to play in a 2-level trump suit than in 1 NT.
It is responder’s job to make sure the partnership lands in the safest contract.
©2013 Roberta Salob
