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Responding in no-trumps to partners opening bid of one of a suit


    1. Responding 1 NT

S 973 A hand such as this would pose a real problem if we only had the S ( Support ) and Y ( your own suit ) options in response. We cannot support a partner opening 1D, 1H or 1S and we aren't strong enough to bid 2C ( we haven't got eight points ).
H Q65
D 654
C A753
 

The system gives us an elegant outlet in such cases by bidding one no-trump ( the N of SYN ). It specifically limits the hand to 6-8 points ( Note that other authors accept nine points. Try not to ). Ideally it will be balanced but life is not perfect.
 
S 973 Bid 1NT in response to partner's 1D, 1H or 1S. Opponents intervention may force you out of the auction in a case like this. After an opening of 1S from partner and an overcall of 2C from the opposition, you must pass.
H Q65
D 654
C A753
 

 

S 5 After 1S from partner, anything you say is a lie. 1NT is probably best.
H KQ632
D 9753
C J32
 

 

S 543 After 1D, 1H or 1S from partner, prefer 2C to 1NT.You have nine points and the response of 1NT is so dispiriting.
H K32
D K32
C K432
 

    2. Responding 2NT.

A response of 2NT shows a balanced hand with 11-12 points. It is a poor bid in my view since you can show your suit on your first response and bid 2NT (if you must ) on your second bid.

S A97 After 1H or 1S from partner, 2D is best.
H K97
D A432
C 432
 

 

S A32 After 1H-2C-2H,  2NT is rarely a good bid. Better to pass.
H 32
D A975
C A975
 

 

S KJ9 A rare hand where, after 1H from partner, 2NT allows the lead to come up to your hand, which, with three KJ's, must be good.
H 32
D KJ93
C KJ93
 

   3. Responding 3NT

This is a response which shows a balanced hand with probably 13-15 points. As with 2) above, it is not a bid I would recommend. It works best when you have support for partner's minor suit and no suit of your own.

S A87 After 1D from partner, 3NT is probably best, although 2C does no harm.
H A65
D J654
C A97
 

 

S K 3 2 After 1D from partner, 1H is best. You can always bid 3NT on your next bid.
H A 4 3 2
D A J
C J 8 6 4
 

 

S K32 After 1D from partner, 3NT direct may prove to be a triumph. This is a fairly typical gamble that bridge players enjoy.
H 432
D 2
C AKQJ109
 

 
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