Responding to 1/1 By Neil H. Timm

Playing 2/1 when opening a minor and responding a major followed by 1NT, many partnerships employ the 2-way new minor forcing convention by bidding 2/2* to differentiate between invitational (10-12 points) and game forcing (13+) hands; others may use the more general XYZ convention which allows for more bidding sequences: 1x-1y-1z so includes the sequence 1 ̈- 1 - 1 - (2*/2*). The major advantage of these conventions is that after opener bids 1NT responder may PASS!

Playing 2/1 after opening a major bid, a two over one responder bid shows a game force auction and the bid of 1NT by responder is normally forcing for one round! Playing 1NT as forcing does not allow the opener to pass and play in 1NT and a re-bid may be a 2/3 card minor; thus, some recommend that the bid of 1NT be semi-forcing.

A very nice checklist of agreements one should discuss playing 2/1 is provided by Karen Walker.

Many problems associated with the 2/1 bidding system are reviewed by Fred Gitelman in the November 1993 issue of “Canadian Master Point” reproduced by bridgebum

To solve the many problems playing 2/1 and using as motivation the 2-way NMF convention I have suggested a new approach when responding to major suit opening as alternatives to those suggested by Gitelman, Lawrence, Hardy, Bergen, Cohen, and Rodwell/Grant among others.

The new bidding sequences follow.

(1a) Responses to 1 Opening Bid (Non-Passed Hand)

• 1 = 5-spades NOT 4, Opener responses:
• 1NT = 3/4-spades with 10-12 points
• 2* = no fit 10-12
• 2* = no fit 13+
• 2 = shows 6-hearts 11-15 points
• 2 = shows 4+spades 13+ points
• 2NT* = shows no fit semi-balanced 13
• 1NT* = 0-9 Semi-Forcing
• 2* = 10-12 with clubs or 3+hearts, then 2 asks:
• 2NT response requires clubs stopped
• 2 = 4+ hearts
• 2 = 4+ spades
• 3 = 4+ clubs
• 3/ = splinter raises of clubs
• 2* = 13+ artificial GF bid with 3+spades
• 2 = 8-10, 3 card support (constructive)
• 2NT* = 10+ with 4 Trumps
• 3* = 10-12 with 3 trumps & 4+ clubs
• 3* = 10-12 with 3 trumps & 4+ diamonds
• 3* = 0-6 weak with 4 trumps
• 3* = Ambiguous Singleton Splinter (with Scroll Bid asks e.g., 3NT and 3)
• After 1 - 3, 3NT* (ask) the responses are 4*= clubs, and 4*= diamonds, and 4*=spades
• After 1 - 3*, 3* (ask) the responses are 4*= clubs, and 4*= diamonds, and 4*= hearts
• 3NT* = Void in Other Major with 3+cards and 13+ dummy Points (Exclusion RKCB)
• 4/4 = 10+ with VOID (Exclusion RKCB)
• 4M = weak with 4+trumps

(1b) Responses to 1 Opening Bid (Non-Passed Hand)

• 1NT* = 0-9, Semi-Forcing
• 2* = 10-12 clubs or 3+spades, then 2* asks
• 2NT requires clubs stopped
• 2 = 4+ hearts
• 2 = 4+ spades
• 3 = 4+ clubs
• 3/ = splinter raises of clubs
• 2* = 13+ artificial GF bid with 3+hearts
• 2 = 6+ points and 5+ hearts
• 2 = 8-10, 3 card support (constructive)
• 2NT* 10+ with 4 Trumps
• 3* = 10-12 with 3 trumps & 4+ clubs
• 3* = 10-12 with 3 trumps & 4+ diamonds
• 3* = 0-6 weak with 4 trumps
• 3* = Ambiguous Singleton Splinter (with Scroll Bid asks e.g., 3NT and 3)
• After 1 - 3*, 3NT* (ask) the responses are 4*= clubs and 4*= diamonds, and 4*= spades
• After 1 - 3*, 3* (ask) the responses are 4*= clubs, and 4*= diamonds, and 4*= hearts
• 3NT* = Void in Other Major with 3+cards and 13+ dummy Points (Exclusion RKCB)
• 4/4 = 10+ with VOID (Exclusion RKCB)
• 4M = weak with 4+trumps

(1c) Responses to 1M Over DBL (Modified BROMAD)

• ReDBL = Forcing
• 1NT* = 7-12, Semi-Forcing (both bids)
• 2* = 10-12 with 3 trumps
• 2* = 10-12 with 4 trumps
• 2M* = 7-10, 3 card support (non-forcing Neg free bid)
• 2NT* = 10+ with 4 Trumps
• 3* = 13+ with 3 trumps
• 3* = 13+ with 4 trumps
• 3M* = 0-7 with 4 trumps

(1d) Responses to 1M Over 2-level bid

• Cue bid is Limit Raise with 3+ trumps
• DBL - Negative
• 3m - Weak Minor
• 3M - Weak raise - 0-6 Dummy Points with 4-card support for bid major
• 4M/5m - To-Play
• 4m - Splinter-Jump 4-card support with singleton

(1e) Responses to 1M Over 3-level bid

• DBL - THRUMP Double (asks partner if he has stopper in bid suit to bid 3NT)
• 4-level Cue bid - Forcing raise to game in Major bid
• 3M - weak with major fit
• 4m - Fit jumps bids below major bid shows 5-4
• 4M - preemptive
• Spade re-bids by opener shows 4 spades

(1f) Responses to 1M Opening Bid (Passed Hand)

• 1NT* = 6-10, Semi-Forcing (both bids)
• 2* = 6-8 3 card support
• 2* = 9-10 3 card support
• 2NT* 6-10 with 4 Trumps
• 3* = 6-10 with 3 trumps & 4+ clubs
• 3* = 6-10 with 3 trumps & 4+ diamonds
• 3M* = 0-6 weak with 4 trumps

The above bidding scheme may also be used by Precision pairs because their major bids are restricted by the range 11-15; thus, one merely must replace all unlimited 13+ ranges with the restricted range of 13-15.