No single bid causes as much confusion as 2NT. It can sometimes have a natural meaning; a balanced hand of some type. It is also frequently used as some type of convention. Because 2NT can come up in so many different auctions, it's important to recognize when it shows a raise, a balanced hand, and a certain point range.
In this first of three quizzes, we are covering the fundamentals. There are not a lot of conventions, but there are several situations where newer (or even some experienced) players get mixed up.
Let's start from the beginning. What does 2NT mean on this auction:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2NT? |
20-21 points with no 5-five card major or 6-card minor
20-21 points, balanced
20-21 points, stoppers in every suit
Minors
What does 2NT mean on this auction:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
2 |
|||
| Pass | 2 |
Pass | 2NT? |
22-24 points with no 5-five card major or 6-card minor
22-24 points, balanced
22-24 points, stoppers in every suit
22+ points, minors
Now partner preempts. What does your 2NT bid mean here:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |
Pass | 2NT? |
Natural, balanced, invitational to 3NT
Demands preempter show an outside ace or king by bidding it on the 3-level
Asks if preempter likes his hand or not (2 bidder repeats diamonds if he does not like it)
15-17 with shortness in diamonds
Other
After a 1-of-a-minor opener, what does the 2NT mean:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pass | 2NT? |
Game forcing club raise
13-15 HCP, no 4-card major
13-15 HCP, no 4-card major, stoppers in the other suits
11-12 HCP, no 4-card major
11-12 HCP, no 4-card major, stoppers in the other suits
Other
Now the opponents are getting involved. What does 2NT mean on this auction:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
2 |
Pass | Pass | 2NT? |
The minors
11-13 balanced with spades stopped
13+-18- balanced with spades stopped
18-21 balanced with spades stopped
Other
Back to constructive bidding. What does this 2NT mean:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|||
| Pass | 1 |
Pass | 2NT? |
15-17 balanced
18-19 balanced, not four hearts
18-19 balanced, not four hearts or four spades
Game forcing with hearts
Other
We have one that looks similar to problem number 6. What does 2NT mean here:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|||
| Pass | 2 |
Pass | 2NT |
18-19 HCP, not three hearts
12-14 balanced, not three hearts
Artificial heart raise
Other
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