Responses to Two Notrump opening

2NT is not a forcing opening -- partner with a lone Queen can pass.

Of course, almost anything more than a lone Queen is enough to find a game try somewhere -- duplicate bidders ARE aggressive.

(Note: the meaning of a Two No Trump overcall is artificial: see Unusual No Trump for an explanation).

N	E	S
2NT	P	3NT		"I have a few scattered points, North"
P				P = "You're the boss, South "
North			South
ª KQxx			ª Jxx
© AQx			© xx
¨ Ax			¨ KJxxx
§ AJxx			§ xxx

N	E	S
2NT	P	P		"I heard you North, but I'm broke !"
North			South
ª KQxx			ª Jxx
© KQx			© xx
¨ Ax			¨ Jxxxx
§ AQJx			§ xxx

Responder may pass with a balanced worthless hand: 2NT is not a forcing opening bid. Usually a couple of Queens and a five card suit is sufficient for game, so Pass is rare. Stayman 3§ and Jacoby 3 © or 3 ¨ bids are appropriate. These sequences will find the best contract in a major if available

N	E	S
2NT	P	3§		Stayman for the major suits
3©	P	3NT		"Spades is my suit, North"
4ª	P	P		"Surprise, South; it's mine too."
North			South
ª KQxx			ª AJxx
© AQx			© Jx
¨ Axx			¨ QJxx
§ AJx			§ xxx

N	E	S
2NT	P	3 ¨ *		"Hearts, please, North"
3 ©	P	3NT		"You choose - Hearts or NT"
P				"No Heart fit. NT it is, South"
North			South
ª KQxx			ª Jx
© Kx			© AJxxx
¨ Axx			¨ KJxx
§ AKJx			§ xx

In response to a 2 NT opener, slam is probable with a responder hand that might open -- 12 points or so.

We use the Stayman and Jacoby conventions to find a suit contract if one is available.

N	E		S
2NT		P		3 © *		"Spades, please, North"
3ª		P		4NT		Blackwood
5 ©		P		5NT		" Grand, partner ?"
6 ¨		P		6ª		"You pick - Spades or NT, North"
6 NT		P		P		"A No Trump contract sounds best at matchpoints, South"

North					South
ª KQ					ª AJxxxx
© Kxxx					© KJx
¨ Axx					¨ KJx
§ AKJx					§ x