Monday, September 22, 2003 10:08 AM

Forcing 1NT - 2NT Rebid

 

PITBULLS:

 

            The sequence one of a major-forcing 1NT and then a 2NT rebid by opener should be discussed by established partnerships. Essentially you want to be clear on which sequence shows the limit raise and which sequence shows the weak preference. You also want to be able to play at the 3 level and show a good hand at the 3 level.

 

            If you play Wolff relays over a jump 2NT rebid , the same concepts should also be played here. The 3C bid should be sacrificed as a relay. When partner accepts the relay , 3D can be passed as well as 3H/3S after the relay. Now all the direct bids can show values . A direct major preference shows the limit raise , a jump to game in partners major is obviously to play . A direct 3D bid and other major bid is forward going.

 

            To show a weak club hand is a problem . Also , you do not want to bypass 3NT with a good club hand. With the weak club hand you are forced to the 4 level which is probably better than 3NT –300. After you force partner to relay to 3D , a 4C bid by you is to play . A good club hand is just included in the range of hands that you would bid 3NT . An exception would be if you leap to 4 clubs over 2NT but you should probably have bid a 2/1 in the first place.

 

            Q bidding or retreating to 3NT is the only action that can be taken by the 2NT bidder after responder shows a good hand. The 2NT rebid is mainly bid on 5-3-3-2 hands but can be bid on 5-2-4-2 hands and some times on 5-1-4-3 hands with points in the short suits.

 

AKxxx Qx K10xx AQ      is a 2NT rebid after a forcing 1NT

 

17 point hands with a 5 card major are too strong to open 1NT so 2NT is rebid with all those hands.

 

AJ10xx Ax KQx Kxx           xx KJ10xxx xxx Qx         1S-P-1NT-P

                                                                                       2NT-P-3C-P

                                                                                       3D-P-3H-P

 

            3H is the place to play this hand but the 2NT bidder can still drive a weak sequence to game with the appropriate hand.

 

            An interesting twist would be to sacrifice the 3 of partners major contract and bid 4 with those hands . Now a relay and return to partners major can show the weak club hand . Partner bids 3NT with a good club fit and escapes to 4C otherwise.

 

Axxxx Kx QJ10 AKx        xx Axx xx QJxxxx          1S-P-1NT-P

                                                                                   2NT-P-3C-P

                                                                                   3D-P-3S-P

                                                                                   3NT 

 

Comments ?