2007-07-17 05:04

Hand Evaluation – Escaping from 2NT ( Godfather )

PITBULLS:

Most experts now play 2NT by responder as invitational or better. This understanding eliminates some bad 4^th suit forcing auctions & allows natural bidding to occur. Prevents pre-empting partner by leaping to 3NT with responders 13 HCP . If opener has opened a flat hand , there is no escape as you can not pass 2NT. If you have a minimum 5-4-3-1 with your 5 card suit not that robust, you must bid 3NT as patterning out is forcing to game anyway. You bid 3NT with all other balanced hands & if partner was invitational you are in a Meckwell 3NT so partner play it well J .

How can you escape into a partial after the “new suit” 2NT by responder ? There are only a few hand patterns to consider after a response & a 2 level rebid by opener. Grannovetter recommends the 6-4 rule with those 6-4 hand patterns. Bid non forcing to game 6-4’s by rebidding your 6 card suit first. Forcing to game 6-4’s bid your 4 card suit first. OK , That’s easy.

Rebidding your suit by opener for the 3^rd time is of course a standard escape. Showing a 5-5 after a 2NT response should also be non forcing if the 2NT bid was invitational. . A forcing to game 5-5 by opener should be shown by jumping in your 2^nd suit. Patterning out with 5-4-3-1 hands are forcing to game. All other bids are forcing to game.

1♦-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♣ this is non forcing as it shows a 6-4 bid the “weak way”.

1♥-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♥ this sequence is a game force as the 6-4 is shown the “strong way”.

♠x ♥xx ♦AKxxx ♣AKQxx 1♦-P-1♠-P

2♣-P-2NT-P

4♣-P- 4NT is to play and 4♥ is kickback agreeing clubs & 4♠ Kickback agreeing diamonds.

Patterning out ( 4^th suit by opener ) is the strength of this system & is a game force.

♠A10x ♥AKJxx ♦K109x ♣x opposite ♠KQJxx ♥xx ♦Ax ♣J10xx

1♥-P-1♠-P

2♦-P-2NT-P

3♠-P-4NT-P

5♥-P-6♠-P