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 Responding to Partners opening bid of one no-trump, when you have a balanced hand

It would be helpful here if you had a copy of my chart which embodies all the responses to an opening bid of one no-trump. 

In the case we are looking at, the answer to the question "Do I like no-trumps " is "Yes ".

You therefore have three options depending on your point count. You must ask yourself the question "Have I enough points for game. "

  • With 13+ points, the answer is yes, and you can bid 3NT
  • With 0-10 points, the answer is no, and you must pass
With 11-12 points, the answer is possibly, as game will depend on partner. If partner has 12 points, then she can make 2NT but not 3NT.With 14 points, she has enough for 3NT.So, in this situation, you bid 2NT, which partner will pass with12 points, and convert to 3 NT with 14.

Examples: In each case, partner has opened the bidding with one no-trump, and there has been no opposition intervention. Note that the case of opponents intervening is dealt with on this page.

 

S K86 With 13                    points and a balanced hand, you can bid 3 NT at once.
H A432
D  K97
C QJ5

.

S K86 You have 14 points and a balanced hand. You do not want to play in diamonds. Bid 3NT.
H A4
D K9753
C A32
.

 

S Q75 You hold a balanced hand and 10 points. You must pass.
H K864
D A43
C J86
 

 
S Q76 You still hold a balanced hand with less than 10 points. This does not require a weakness take-out. You must pass.
H K9876
D A4
C 832
 

 

S Q3 You have 11 points. Partner needs 14 for game. You ask the question by bidding 2NT.
H QJ8
D QJ432
C QJ6
 

 
S K32 You are in the "possible " range with 11 points, and you invite partner by bidding 2NT.
H A98
D 7654
C A32


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