The 1-Notrump Opening Bid

This is my favorite system — partly because I get to revel in the opponents' bewilderment when they learn that we do not play Stayman, and partly because of the opening leader's frustration at having little clue as to declarer's distribution even after a major-suit inquiry, but mostly because this simply is the most powerful notrump setup in use today.

Although this system was conceived for a strong-notrump range (15+), we use it with our weak notrump openings as well.  In these cases, the meanings of just two bids are swapped in the interests of right-siding the play.

The plethora of charts might be imposing, but some study will reveal a number of underlying patterns and parallel structures that facilitate assimilation of the methods.  The Responder's Map has been created for that purpose.  Admittedly, becoming comfortable with the structure will take some time; I kept my own notes handy for months!

Advantages

Disadvantages

Other


BASIC STRUCTURE
2 forces 2 (multi-purpose)
2 transfer to hearts, may be both majors, any length
2 transfer to spades
2 clubs + possible 4-card major   -or-   Gerber access
2 diamonds + possible 4-card major
3 5 hearts, singleton spade, INV+
3 5 spades, singleton heart, INV+
3 4-card spade suit, GF+  (suit is hearts if a weak NT)
3 4-card heart suit, GF+  (suit is spades if a weak NT)
3 signoff
4, 4 South African Texas
4, 4, 4 natural

 

The 2 Response

1 – 2 – 2 – 2       possible spades 1 – 2 – 2 – 2       hearts, not 5-long
  by Opener   by Opener
2 4 spades, MIN  -or-  any MAX 2 MIN, no heart suit, NF
2 MIN, no spade suit, NF 3 any MAX  -or-  4 hearts, MIN
  by Responder   by Responder
Pass (over 2) = to play Pass (of 2/3) = to play
2 (over 2) = no major, NF
3 no major, flaw in a major, forcing to 3 (over 2) = weak exit
game or 4 of a minor (scramble)  
3 asks: 3 = spade weakness  
3 = heart weakness  
3 = both weak  
3 4 spades, flaw in hearts,  3 4 hearts, flaw in spades
 -or-  4 spades, INV (over 2 only) 3 = signoff
3 asks: 3 = INV, NF other = game force
other = game force
3 = signoff
3 4 spades, 5+ clubs, singleton heart, ST 3 4 hearts, 5+ clubs, singleton spade, ST
3 4 spades, 5+ diamonds, singleton heart, ST 3 4 hearts, 5+ diamonds, singleton spade, ST
3 signoff with 4 spades 3 signoff with 4 hearts
4 6+ spades, singleton club, ST 4 6+ hearts, singleton club, ST
4       " singleton diamond, ST 4       " singleton diamond, ST
4       " singleton heart, ST 4       " singleton spade, ST

 
1 – 2 – 2         other  2 sequences
  by Responder
Pass to play
2 * both minors, weak majors, INV+, 1RF
  -or-  4-4 or 5-4 minors, balanced ST
  -or-  any 5-5 minors, ST
3 6+ clubs, singleton major, ST
3 asks: responder bids the singleton
3 6+ diamonds, singleton major, ST
3 asks: 3 = spade, 3 = heart
3 6+ clubs, singleton diamond, ST
3 6+ diamonds, singleton club, ST
3 4-4 majors, GF.  4/4 = S.A. transfer
4 1.1.5.6, ST
4 1.1.6.5, ST
4 minors, heart void, ST
4 minors, spade void, ST
4 4-4 majors, ST, non-forcing

 
 *  1 – 2 – 2 – 2        details
  by Opener
3/ preference, not strong in majors, NF
3/3 singleton, 1RF
   3 (over 3) invites 4-3 spades
3 = some 2.2.5.4, mild ST
4/4 = 5-5 minors, ST
4 = 5-4 or 4-4, strong ST
3 good hearts, asking for help in spades
3 = has 3 hearts, denies spade help;
  invites a 4-3 heart game
3 good spades, asking for help in hearts
3 good stuff in both majors
4/ natural, major stoppers weak, INV
4/ cuebid, supermax fit for some minor
4 = signoff
5/5 = pick a game
6/6 = pick a slam

 

Transfers:   2 and  2

1 – 2 – 2         4+ hearts, plus 1 – 2 – 2           5+ spades, plus
  by Responder   by Responder
2 * 4-4 or better majors, INV+, 1RF  
2 5 hearts, INV, NF  2 5 spades, INV, NF
3 any 5 hearts, 5 clubs, INV, 1RF 3 any 5 spades, 5 clubs, INV, 1RF
  -or- 5-6 hearts, singleton diamond, INV+   -or- 5-6 spades, singleton diamond, INV+
Opener accepts/declines with 3/ Opener accepts/declines with 3/3
3 any 5 hearts, 5 diamonds, INV+ 3 any 5 spades, 5 diamonds, INV+
  -or-  5-6 hearts, singleton club, INV+   -or- 5-6 spades, singleton diamond, INV+
Opener declines with 3, others accept Opener accepts/declines with 3/3
3 6+ hearts, INV 3 RKC
3 RKC 3 6+ spades, INV
3 signoff w/ 5 hearts 3 signoff
4 2.5.2.4, ST 4 5.2.2.4, ST
4 2.5.4.2, ST 4 5.2.4.2, ST
4 6+ hearts, mild ST 4 6+ spades, mild ST
4 5 hearts, balanced ST 4 5 spades, balanced ST

 
 *  1 – 2 – 2 – 2      details
  by Opener
2 minimum, no major, NF
3 = 5-5 majors, INV+
3 = 5 hearts, 4 spades
3 = 5 spades, 4 hearts
3 = 5-5 majors, ST
4/4 = 5-card suit, minor void
3 any MAX, GF
3 = 5 hearts, 4 spades
3 = 5 spades, 4 hearts
3 = 5-5 majors
4/4 = 5-card suit, minor void
3 4-card raise, NF
3 4-card raise, NF
4 4-card heart raise, MAX
4 4-card spade raise, MAX
4 enough for game, not a great hand
4 enough for game, not a great hand

 

Other Responses:   2 and higher

1         miscellaneous sequences
  by Responder
2 5+ clubs, INV+  -or-  Gerber access
  Opener :  2 accepts game, 3 declines
3 (over 2) = weakish suit: reconsider, NF
3 = ace-asking, any hand type  (=Gerber)
3/3 rebid = 4-card suit, singleton diamond
4/4 rebid = 4-card suit, balanced ST
2 5+ diamonds, INV+
  Opener :  3 accepts game, 3 declines
3 = weakish suit: reconsider, NF
3/3 rebid = 4-card suit, singleton club
4/4 rebid = 4-card suit, balanced ST
3 5 hearts, singleton spade, INV+
  Opener :  3accepts game, 3 declines.
responder can re-transfer to game with 4
3 5 spades, singleton heart, INV+
  Opener :  3 accepts game, 3 declines.
responder can re-transfer to game with 4
3* 4 spades, GF, not weak in other major
3* 4 hearts, GF, not weak in other major
   * swap these meanings if playing weak notrump
3 signoff
4 S.A transfer to hearts; 4 retransfers
4 S.A transfer to spades; 4 retransfers
4/ signoff
4 some 2.3.4.4  or  3.3.3.4, no major, ST


Map of Responder's Bids

5 MAJOR  and  4+ MINOR
Pattern   Invite   Game   Slam   Method  
5.1.4.3 3 (steps) 3, 3 3, 4 Invite and game:
5.1.3.4   "      "   "    4 Reference the major
1.5.4.2 3 (steps) 3, 3 3, 4 Slam:
1.5.3.4   "      "   "    4 Reference major, bid minor
 
5.3.4.1 2, 3 same same All:
5.3.1.4   "    3    " " Xfer to major, bid minor
3.5.4.1 2, 3    " "         "              "
3.5.1.4   "    3 " "         "              "
 
5.2.4.2 2, 2 2, 3 2, 4 Invite and game:
5.2.2.4      "      "   "    4 Xfer to major, quantify
2.5.4.2 2, 2 2, 3 2, 4 Slam:
2.5.2.4      "      "   "    4 Xfer to major, 4 of the minor
4 MAJOR  and  5+ MINOR
4.1.5.3 2, 2 same  or  [slamtry] 2, 2, 3 Invite: Show the major
4.1.3.5      "    "              "      "         3 Game: Show the major -or-
1.4.5.3 2, 2    "              " 2, 2, 3    show major, reference minor
1.4.3.5      "    "              "      "         3 Slam: Show major, reference minor
 
4.3.5.1 2, 2 same 2, 3 Invite and game:
4.3.1.5      " " 2, 3 Show the major
3.4.5.1 2, 2 " 2, 3 Slam:
3.4.1.5      " " 2, 3 Show the major
 
4.2.5.2 2, 2 same 2, 4 Invite and game:
4.2.2.5      " " 2, 4 Show the major
2.4.5.2 2, 2 " 2, 4 Slam:
2.4.2.5      " " 2, 4 Show minor, jump to 4 major
LONG SUITS – UNBALANCED
6.3.3.1 2, 3 4  or  4 2, 2, 4 Invite:
6.3.1.3   "   3        "      "         4 Xfer to major, bid minor
6.1.3.3 3 (steps)        "      "         4 Game:
3.6.3.1 2, 3 4  or  4 2, 2, 4 4/4 (xfer), or 4/4
3.6.1.3   "   3        "      "         4 Slam:
1.6.3.3 3 (steps)        "      "         4 Show major, then splinter
 
3.1.6.3 2 (steps) same  or  [slamtry] 2, 3, 3 Invite: show the minor
1.3.6.3   "    "             "      "         3 Game: show the minor, show the
3.3.6.1   "    "             " 2, 3   minor with singleton
3.3.1.6 2 (steps)    "             " 2, 3 Slam: Minor stiff: 2, 3/
3.1.3.6   "    "             " 2, 3, 3 Major stiff: 2, bid minor,
1.3.3.6   "    "             " 2, 3, 3   relay/steps for stiff
LONG SUITS – BALANCED
Spades 2, 2/3 4  or  4 2, 4/4 Invite: Xfer, then raise or 2
*RKC:   2, 3* Game: 4/4 (xfer), or 4/4
Hearts 2, 2/3 4  or  4 2, 4/4 Slam: Xfer, raise to game or 4,
*RKC:   2, 3*   or key-card ask
 
Diamonds 2 3 2, 3/4 Invite: show the minor
*RKC:   2, 4* Game: signoff in 3
Clubs 2 3 2, 3/4 Slam: show minor, raise in ,
*RKC:   2, 4*   or key-card ask

 

Discussion

The most complicated module is  1 - 2 - 2 - 2.  The tools are there, however, to find 4-4 and 4-3 major fits, determine whether to go to game, detect weak major holdings, invite notrump games, or make slam tries with a major and a longer minor — all without opener having to reveal to the defenders much, if anything, about his distribution, until a fit is found.  It is arguably tedious that three rounds of bidding are necessary to make a simple notrump invitation, but the tradeoff is worth it.

Unbalanced hands with a 5-card major and invitational values will be played in three of the major rather than in two notrump.  This is not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, I never have incurred a poor result from this factor.

There is no step-response available after  1 - 2 - 2 - 3.  That could be accommodated by swapping the structures for 5-4 reds and 5-4 blacks (where there is extra space), but that would impose a considerable memory strain, and we cannot justify it.

The system does not require the usage of South African Texas, but that method clearly is more flexible than the standard convention, and many 4 and 4 bids aren't needed for anything else.  Sometimes responder has Kx or Kxx of a suit, and it can be advantageous for that hand to declare.

In notrump auctions, 4 is not Blackwood except under two conditions:

Reference to a "weak" major means an unstopped doubleton.  Any three-card holding is not deemed a flaw, as the extra card reduces defensive potential in that suit.

Notes / Memory Aids

After a 2 response, any 2 by opener is natural and non-forcing.

With 4-major and 5+ minor, good hands: holding a major singleton, show the major first; with minor singleton, show the minor first.

When a pair of bids is used to "reference" other suits (not transfers), clubs and hearts always are linked, and diamonds and spades are linked.

When there is a choice of singleton-showing bids:  The bid always is natural when possible.  Example: after  1 - 2 - 2:  3 and 3 include a major-suit singleton.  After  3 - 3, the singleton-showing calls are obvious.  But after 3 - 3, a linear progression is eschewed in favor of keeping a call natural whenever possible: 3 = spade singleton, 3 = heart singleton.  This structure is consistent throughout our system.

Notrump bidding