Strong Responses to Major Suit Openings
We have two special bids for strong responses when partner opens one of a major.
Strength: Both are made with an opening hand equivalent, but with no useful Two Over One call available.
2NT RESPONSE
Exactly Two. This call is made when responder has exactly 2 trump cards and has no useful 5 card suit to make a Two Over One bid.
Example 2NT Response hands
N E S W 1© P 2NT* . . .
South or South ª Axx ª AJxx © Kx © xx ¨ Kxxx ¨ KQx § Kxxx § QJxx Responder could make a 2§ or 2¨ Two Over One call, but why ? Either the hand belongs in 4, 6 or 7 of the major or 4, 6 or 7NT. Opener probably doesn't have Spades, else he would have opened Flannery. With the second hand, South could bid 1 Spade , depending on the style you play Flannery, if you play it. If you don't play Flannery, South should bid 1 Spade, intending to place the contract on the next call.
Opener can rebid his major suit with a 6 card suit, bid 3NT, cue bid Aces up the line, etc.
Often, opener simply bids 4ª /© or 3NT.
Usage: Rare. Alertable
Same but Different. This is the same opening strength hand, but with good trump support - any four trumps or three to a major honor - Qxx or better. The 3NT bid allows for cue bidding Aces at the low four level.
Example 3NT response hands
N E S W 1ª P 3NT* . . .
ª Axx ª AJxx © Kx © xx ¨ Kxxx ¨ KQx § Kxxx § QJxx Usage: Rare. Alertable