Sometimes when your partner opens 1NT you can respond with
zero points. The main idea is that when your partner has limited her hand, you
are in control. You don’t have to worry about the bidding getting too high if
you hold the right sort of hand. Let’s look at some examples. In every case,
your partner opened 1NT and the next player passed.
|
You |
Your side has less than half the points, but you still might
end up with the contract. Two spades looks like less trouble than 1NT. If you
bid 2H as a transfer, partner will bid 2S automatically. Then, you can pass.
Well done.
The same idea would work if the spades and hearts were reversed.
Bid a 2D transfer and pass the automatic 2H bid from partner.
I wouldn’t try this with a long minor suit. Transferring
with a 2S bid will get you to the 3 level. Passing out 1NT looks less risky.
There is also a special case where you can bid Stayman with
fewer than the usual minimum of 8 points. Suppose you hold this hand:
You
♠ 9876
♥ T953
♦ 98743
♣ -
Here, you have the luxury of being able to pass any Stayman
response your partner might make. Your partner opens 1NT. You bid 2C. If
partner has a 4-card major suit, she will bid it. You found a 4-4 major suit
fit and can pass. If partner doesn’t have a major suit, she will bid 2D. Having
opened 1NT and denied 4 cards in either major, you can expect her to have at
least 3 diamonds. Once again, you have found a trump fit and can pass.
The worst that could happen is if partner started with 3-3-2-5
distribution (going from spades down to clubs). If you are that unlucky, you have
a 5-2 trump fit and are probably still better off than being in NT.
The moral of the story is to think ahead about what your partner
might respond to your bid. Sometimes you can break the rules if you can
tolerate all her responses.
