Rules, Rules, Rules. There are several rules to follow for responder after he has made a 1NT Force.  Opener will have described his hand, and responder must now set the contract.

Rule 1. If opener has rebid in a minor, you may take a preference bid to two of the major with only two trump

This is not a raise. It's a weak call, intended to place the contract in a major rather than leave it in a minor suit. Strength usually is 8 points or less with exactly two trump cards.

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	2ª	A way to raise to two with only two
P	P		trump but with decent values.

North	South
ª KQxxx	ª Jx
© xxxx	© KJx
¨ Ax	¨ Qxxx
§ AJ	§ Qxxx

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Rule 2. You may pass the second suit bid by opener, even if it was a minor.

If it was the other major, it will be at least four long. Remember that the minor rebid by opener may be only three long, and that you are in a two level contract. For this reason, the minor rebid by opener must be Alerted as "may be weak". Given a choice, prefer to two of the major with two card support rather than leave opener in a 3-4 minor fit, as in Rule 1 above.

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2§*	P	P	Finding a good resting place.

North	South
ª KQxxx	ª J
© xxx	© KJxx
¨ Ax	¨ Qxxx
§ AJx	§ Qxxx

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Rule 3. You may jump to three of the openers major if this is a limit bid  without four trump or with a singleton.

See Limit Raises.

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	3ª	A Limit Raise without a singleton
4ª	P	P	Game.

North	South
ª KQxxx	ª xxx
© xxxx	© KJx
¨ Ax	¨ KQxx
§ AJ	§ Qxx

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Rule 4. You may raise the opener's second suit with a strong hand (10-11 HCP).

This is invitational to 3 NT or game in the openers second suit.

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	3©	Inviting North to a Heart game.
P			A minimum North regretfully declines.

North	South
ª KQxxx	ª x
© xxxx	© KQJx
¨ Qx	¨ Kxxx
§ A	§ Qxxx

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Rule 5. You may bid 2NT.

This is to play, as you were not strong enough to make a game forcing call at the first response. Opener can bid 3 NT with a good (16+) hand.

N	E	S
1ª	P	1NT*	A major opening and Forcing 1NT.
2©	P	2NT	An invitation . . .
3NT	P	P	Accepted.

North	South
ª AKxxx	ª x
© xxxx	© AKx
¨ AK	¨ Jxxxx
§ Ax	§ QJxx

(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved