Niemeijer 2NT

The idea is that opener (almost) always plays, but responder is leader of the auction. It will set the right contract (game) in 95% of all cases.

General approach: Transfers, and 3 as asking for 4 or 5 card majors.

I hope this in ACBL-allowed. It has lots of alerts (I think all calls of responder are alertable, and most of the other calls) but it's not that difficult to remember.

After the 2NT opening responder bids:

3 - See below (That's the major part)

3 - Transfer to hearts

• 3 - accepting
• 3NT - 2 hearts, 5 spades
  • 4 - re-transfer to hearts
  • 4 - transfer to spades
• other cue bid, nice fit, maybe slam?

3 - Transfer to Spades

• 3 - accepting
• 3NT - 2 spades, 5 hearts
  • 4 - transfer to hearts
  • 4 - re-transfer to spades

3 - Transfer to Clubs (slam interest)

3NT shows 5 Spades + 4 Hearts. NON FORCING.

• 4 - To play
• 4 - To play

4 - Transfer to Diamonds (slam interest)

4 shows 5 hearts + 5 spades. Opener places contract.

4 - (I forgot)

4 - Ace asking bid

4NT invitational to 6NT

5NT invitational to 7NT

3 Puppet Stayman asking for 4 or 5 card Major

3NT at most 3-3 in Majors

• 4 - Minor suit Stayman

3 shows a 5 card suit.

• 3 - general Slam try, start cue-bidding
• 3NT to play
• 4 to play
• 4/ - long suit, NO fit

3 shows a 5 card suit

• 3NT to play
• 4 to play
• 4 - general slam try
• 4/ - long suit, NO fit

3 shows 4 hearts and/or 4 spades

• 3 looking for Spade fit
  • 3NT Sorry, I had 4 Hearts
• 3 looking for Heart fit
  • 3NT Sorry, I had 4 Spades
• 4 "Name your suit"
• 4 Minor suit Stayman (?)
• 3NT To play (because 3NT directly is conventional)

The only problems are the 5422 hands, with 5-4 Major or 5-4 Minor.

5-4 Major: there is no way to indicate this: the 4-4 fit will be missed. Solution: either open 2 (GF) or 1/.

2-2 Major: You'll have problems when partner shows 5-5 with 4. But it's not that bad.