Partner opens 1NT and you have 5 or more cards in a minor suit. What should you do?
Unfortunately, some of this depends on methods. You need to know how your partnership shows a minor. Do you play 4-suit transfers? There are many possibilities, but for this article, let's assume you use what is currently most popular:
1NT-2
= Range ask or Clubs
1NT-2NT = Transfer to Diamonds
After 1NT-2
, opener bids 2NT with a minimum or 3
with a maximum. If the responder just has an invite to 3NT (like a flat 9-count), he either passes 2NT, or converts 3
to 3NT. If responder has clubs, he can pass 3
to make that the contract, or bid anything but 3NT (showing clubs).
You and your partner should also discuss what it means in each of these situations:
1) You start with 2
or 2NT and next bid a major suit on the 3-level. For example:
OPENER |
RESONDER |
1NT |
2
|
3
|
3
|
One possibility is "natural" (5+
and 4
).
Another possibility is "shortness" with a hand such as:
A65
3
K76
KQ7654.
2) What does it mean it you start with Stayman and later bid a minor?
OPENER |
RESONDER |
1NT |
2
|
answer |
3
|
Is that forcing, invitational or sign-off?
This area can get complicated (as hinted at above), but none of it is the purpose of this article.
All I want to show here is if/when you should actually show your minor.
So, partner opens 1NT and you hold each of the following hands:
1)
542
J4
J65
J8764
2)
32
2
J765432
652
3)
K1076
43
2
AQJ765
4)
J4
Q7
AQ10765
J32
5)
K32
K2
KQJ109
654
With #1, Pass and let partner suffer. You "never" transfer to a minor with a flat (5-3-3-2) hand. The only possibly exception might be if you wanted to eventually look for a slam.
With #2, you want to play in 3
. That has to be better than 1NT. It is now just a matter of methods. Make sure you and your partner know how in your system the responder signs off in 3-of-a-minor
With #3, you want to look for a 4-4 spade fit and if it isn't found, show your clubs. Again, you have to know how to do this in your system. Do you start with Stayman and then bid 3
? Do you start with a transfer to clubs and then bid your spades?
With #4, you have no interest in playing in your minor. Just bid 3NT. You can "show" your diamonds when you table the dummy.
With #5, again you have no reason to show the minor in the auction. Just raise 1NT to 3NT (or, if you play Puppet Stayman, you can look for a 5-3 spade fit).
This article just covers some basics. In the real world, there is much more confusion awaiting you. For example, what do you do with a very weak hand with a 4-card major and a 6-card minor? Hint: It depends on your system/agreements.
Here is a summary of your approach when you hold a 5+ card minor and partner opens 1NT:
No game interest
With only a 5-card minor, usually pass 1NT.
With a 6+ card minor, transfer to play in 3 of the minor
Game invitational
With a 5-card minor and no 4-card major, just invite in notrump
With a 5+card minor and a 4-card major, start with Stayman
With a 6-card minor (and no 4-card major), start with a transfer (likely your methods will allow opener to show min/max)
Game force
With a flat hand, don't bother showing the minor unless you have slam interest
With shape (6+ card minor or 4-card major and 5+ card minor), use Stayman or a transfer to start
If you liked this article, you might like Larry's Books Modern Bidding.