Responding to Notrump with Bad Hands — page 2

5-3-3-2

Holding a just 5-card major, a transfer is automatic — or at least, it should be:

The five-card trump suit generates up to two tricks or more, whereas in notrump the weakest hands are relatively worthless.

Is there any merit to bidding with a 5-card minor?  The answer is — it depends, for there are options.

Although it might seem abnormal to opt for a 3-level contract with a balanced hand, doing so clearly is the long-term winner when one is particularly weak.  The 2+ extra tricks make up for the difference in level, and the trump suit prevents the run of a long suit.

What about trying for a major instead?  If your system supports the method, you could try Stayman, then pass a major-suit response or sign off in 3♣:

So! With 0-2 hcp, trying for the major is better.  Holding just one 3-card major, the try still is worthwhile, although a major-suit fit would be found less often.

If the long suit is diamonds, then bidding is even more attractive, being easily best up to 3 hcp, and optional to 5 hcp:

At the table, though, the best strategy with these hands might be a 'normal' pass.  The point-loss is about the same; and if 1NT is doubled, you can run to 2♣ or 2♦.

5-4-2-2

So much for the mundane balanced hands.  Henceforth there will be at least nine cards in two suits; that fact should make the option of suit play even more attractive, and it does.

Many pairs play a 2♠ response as Minor-Suit Stayman or a diamond bust. That provides an extra option if the diamonds are longer:

Note that is right to press to the 3-level with all hands up to 7 hcp.

Since we now know never to pass with any two-suiter, is must be worth trying for a 4-4 major fit on the way to a 3-level minor contract.

No surprise is there, but again — that is a viable option only if your system supports a 3-level signoff after a Stayman inquiry.

Perhaps we should try the new tactic that SIM taught us earlier — that of transferring to a 4-card major:

Amazing.  Transferring to 2♠ is a hands-down winner over passing 1NT at every level.  It is not, however, as good as opting to play in 3♣.

As before, the option of using Stayman on the way to 3♣ would be best.  This would work out even better if the 5-card minor is diamonds; for then one could stop at the 2-level.

But would it always be best to play at the 3-level if an 8-card major fit is not found?  SIM says no.  I realize that it is a rare notrump system indeed that supports a signoff in 2♦, but mine does.  Even at that, it is better to transfer to the major than to play in 2♦ when holding 6+ hcp.  Apparently the trick-score makes up the difference of potentially fewer winners.

That leaves us with hands with both majors.  If you don't play Garbage Stayman, then the only reasonable option is to transfer to the 5-card suit.  Otherwise:

This study assumes the sensible agreement that opener passes 2♥ unless his spades are longer.  I dare say that most who play Garbage Stayman will use it with 5-4 majors, but that is not best.  It seems that the possibility of missing a 4-4 heart fit is not as important as guaranteeing to find the 5-3 or perhaps even a 5-4 spade fit.

5-4-3-1

With some 5-4 in the minors, the decision is the same as with the 5-4-2-2 patterns — transfer to the long minor with 0-6 hcp; if an MSS/3♦ signoff if available, use it.

There is a new wrinkle, however.  Is it worthwhile to try for a 4-3 major fit?  Compared to passing 1NT, the answer is yes, and it's not even close; but of course, this ploy might be workable only if your system enables you to try Stayman, then sign off in a minor.

There are additional considerations as well:

Passing with a 4-card diamond suit is worthwhile only with the weakest hands; naturally, with longer diamonds it always is right.

But is it worth giving up a potentially good minor-suit fit to venture a 4-3 major contract?

Again the answer is yes, and at all levels.  When the 3-card major is spades, it still is worthwhile with long diamonds.

Since the spade suit will be missed when opener is 4-4 in the majors, the tide has shifted.  Now it pays to pass 2♦ and forgo the potentially strong club fit only with a really bad hand.

So much for the minors.  Now there is a 4-card major in the hand.  Holding a singleton club, it's a no-brainer — trot out Stayman and pass any response.  What about a singleton diamond?  That one also is clear now — try for the major, then sign off in 3♣ if necessary.

When holding 4-1 or 1-4 in the majors, it is not so clear.

Transferring to the major is the standout choice!  If a 2♣-3♣ signoff is available, use that.

5-4-4-0

Some of the rules change when a void suit comes into play.  With especially weak hands, the 5-card suit becomes more important:

Transferring to the 4-card major becomes best when dummy has a smattering of strength to help support that contract.  As usual, alternative strategies are available:

It is best to pass a 2♦ response only with 0-2 hcp, however; otherwise, go to 3♣.

With 5-4 in the minors, all three suits easily can be brought into play:

Hah!  It still is best to go for the major with 3+ hcp.  Note the great disparity in total points in the 2-3 hcp range.  When playing in spades, that third point is worth 41 points per deal!

What about 4-4 majors?

Non-invitational Stayman wins again, and it's not even close.  With 4.4.5.0, however, passing any response to Stayman is best.

We already have learned what to do with 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors — transfer to spades with 5-4, and use Garbage Stayman with 4-5.

5-5-2-1

The greater the distribution, the easier the choices tend to become.  With both majors, use garbage Stayman.  Holding one major, transfer to that suit.  With both minors, trot out your 5-5 minor exit.  If you don't have one of those, then arrange to play 3♣ or 3♦.

5-5-3-0

Perhaps trying for a 4-3 major is useful here:

Nope.  Just exit to the best minor as with 5-5-2-1.