Opening 2NT : Bridge Online
index
2NT shows 20-22 HCP and a balanced hand. It is a limit bid and therefore quite specific about its shape and its points.
2NT
• 20-22 HCP
• balanced
This hand is ideal for a 2NT opening.
Having a 5-card minor does not make your hand unbalanced; the best opening is still 2NT.
Responding to 2NT
If I open 2NT, you only need 4 TP to bid to game. With a balanced hand, bid 3NT.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 4♥ |
With a 6-card major, it will be safer to play in a suit contract. 2NT promises at least two hearts because it is balanced, so you know you have a fit. Bid 4♥.
With a 6-card minor you could bid 5♦ or 5♣ but 3NT is probably the best contract. 9 tricks will be easier than 11.
With 3 TP you haven't got enough to do anything and you should pass. 2NT is not a forcing bid. It is a limit bid and those bids are not forcing.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ |
Now you don't know whether 3NT or 4♥ is the best contract.
| ♠ AK2 | |
| ♥ A982 | |
| ♦ A3 | |
| ♣ AJ84 | |
| ♠ | | ♠ |
| ♥ | | ♥ |
| ♦ | | ♦ |
| ♣ | | ♣ |
| ♠ Q76 | |
| ♥ KJ754 | |
| ♦ 854 | |
| ♣ 32 | |
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ | P |
| | 4♥ |
This is similar to the problem you had over 1NT. Bidding 3♥ shows exactly five hearts and asks me to bid 4♥ with 3 or 4 hearts.
| ♠ AK2 | |
| ♥ A9 | |
| ♦ KQ32 | |
| ♣ AJ84 | |
| ♠ | | ♠ |
| ♥ | | ♥ |
| ♦ | | ♦ |
| ♣ | | ♣ |
| ♠ Q76 | |
| ♥ KJ754 | |
| ♦ 854 | |
| ♣ 32 | |
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ | P |
| | 3NT |
Partner will bid 3NT with only 2 hearts.
Responses to 2NT
• 0-3 = pass
• 4+ = bid game
This time you have enough for slam. Briefly, a small slam (12 tricks) needs about 33 TP and a grand slam (13 tricks) needs 37 TP. You should bid 6♥ here.
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