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Responding to 1NT with 0-9 points

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Negative responses are an attempt to find the safest contract as it is painful going light in 1NT.

Replying with a minimum hand 0-9 points

Negative Responses to Partner’s 1NT opening bid

No Trump Opening BidResponders Negative ReplyMeaning of Responder Bid
1NTPassGame is out of reach and you have no five card suit to bid
1NT2CStayman, promising a 4+ card major asking partner
to bid their 4 card major (2H or 2S) if they have one, otherwise rebid 2D (can have as few as 8 HCP for this bid)
1NT2D, 2H or 2Sare all sign off bids – promising five cards
in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass.

After partners pre-empt what should you bid with a combined 9 card suit?
What do you do when the opponents overcall your bid?
Do you know when to make a penalty double?
Discover a deal with many different make-able games.
Part game but the opposition compete – who wins the contract?
Find out in our free Hand of the Day


Negative Responses to Partner’s 2NT opening bid

No Trump Opening BidResponders Negative ReplyMeaning of Responder Bid
2NTPassGame is out of reach and you have no five card suit to bid
2NT3CStayman, promising a 4+ card major asking partner
to bid their 4 card major (3H or 3S) if they have one, otherwise bid 3D
2NT3D, 3H or 3Sare all sign off bids – promising five cards
in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass.

Negative Responses to Partner’s 3NT opening bid

No Trump Opening BidResponders Negative ReplyMeaning of Responder Bid
3NTPassno five card suit to bid and less than 8 HCP for a slam
3NT5D, 4H or 4Sare all sign off bids – promising five cards
in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass.

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