2-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part One

Responder Has 3- or 4-Card Support

If you use 1 NT Forcing, you now have a superb method of pinpointing your major suit support for opener. 
With weak responses you can show raises that are "very weak" (5 to 7 points) or "constructive" (8 to 10 points). With 11+ points, you can pinpoint 3-card or 4-card support.

These goodies are available to responder by bidding according to these guides:

With 5 to 7 points, first bid 1 NT then bid two in opener’s major:

North:
♠ A J 9               South        North
♥ 8 7 3               1♥             1 NT
♦ 9 8 6 5 4          2♣            2♥
♣ 8 5  

North’s "raise" shows either 3-card support with a dreadful point count — 
5 to 7 — or just 2-card support with 6 to 10 points. It doesn’t matter which it is, it is bad news either way:

North:
♠ 8 5                  South        North
♥ 6 2                  1♠             1 NT
♦ K J 8 7 6         2♥             2♠
♣ K 4 3 2

With 8 to 10 points and 3+ card support, raise opener’s major immediately:
(This is a "Constructive Raise")

North:
♠ 9 7 6                South       North
♥ A J 6               1♥             2♥
♦ 8 5  
♣ Q J 9 8 7

North shows a better point count than bidding 1 NT and then raising. North may have 3 or 4+ card support.

Stay tuned for Part Two!

©2013 Roberta Salob

2-Over-1: Responder’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part Two

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

2-Over-1: Responder’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part One

Responder Has Less Than 3-Card Support

If partner opened in a major and you responded 1 NT, it will be assumed you have less than 3-card support. For exceptions, see upcoming post: Major Suit Raises.

If you have a 6+ card suit, bid it:
(a strong 5+ card suit may be bid on the 2-level)

North:
♠ 3                        South         North
♥ Q J 9 7 6 5       1♠               1 NT
♦ K 7 6                2♦               2♥
♣ 8 5 4                Pass

2-Over-1: Opener’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part Two

With only a 5-card major and 12-14 points, bid a second suit, even if it is only a 3-card(!) minor:

South
♠ K 8 7                   South      North
♥ K Q 8 5 4           1♥           1 NT
♦ 7 6                      2♣
♣ K Q 4

2-Over-1: Opener’s Second Bid After 1 NT – Part One

After a 1 NT response to a major, opener must bid again:

If you have a 6+ card major, rebid it:

South
♠ A K 9 8 4 2           South             North
♥ 2                           1♠                  1 NT
♦ K 7 6                     2♠
♣ K 9 8

2-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Four

Don’t Use 1 NT Forcing If …

If you are a passed hand, a 1 NT response is not forcing:

West                              East
♠ 8 7                              ♠ A Q 9 6 4
♥ A Q 6                         ♥ 10 5 4
♦ Q 9 8 7 6                     ♦ J 10
♣ 10 9 8                        ♣ K J 7

West              North              East               South
Pass               Pass                1♠                  Pass
1 NT              Pass                Pass               Pass

2-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Three

Don’t Use 1 NT Forcing if …

If opener bids 1♥, then responder, holding 4+ spades, should bid 1♠:

South
♠ Q 9 8 2            North            South
♥ 7 6                  1♥                  ??
♦ A K J 10
♣ 9 8 6