Chapter 13
2NT System
Card:
New with Radu 11/1/25. After post-2NT Jacoby transfers:
3M: denies 3
3NT: shows 3 (can retransfer)
4x: 4, control in x, missing control somewhere
4M: 4 max with control bids everywhere
Basically bidding 1st control
- After Stayman fit: oM is slam try
- H&S:
- 55 Game only: Txfr to S, then 4H, pass/correct
- 55 Slam interest: Txfr to H, then 3S, flag bids (CD for HS good hand, HS bad hand to play)
- (5/4) Smolen
- S&C slam tries (cheaper for major flags):
- 45+: Stayman then C (3C-3H-4C) -- 4D sets S, 4H sets C, 4S/4N/5C to play
- 54+: Txfr to S then C (3H-3S-4C) slam interest -- 4D sets spades, 4H sets C, 4S/4N/5C to play
- S&D slam tries (cheaper for major flags):
- 45+: Stayman then D (3C-3H-4D) – 4H sets S, 5C sets D, 4S/4N/5D to play
- H&C/D slam tries (cheaper for major flags):
- 45+: Stayman then C/D (3C-3S-4C/D): Can’t have M fit. All bids other than 4NT and 5m are positive in support of responder’s minor. Redwood applies (after controls, 4NT is control for redwood suit).
- 54+: H&C (3D-3H-4C) -- 4D sets hearts, 4S sets C, 4H/4N/5C to play
- 54+: H&D (3D-3H-4D) -- 4S for H (so then 4NT can be RKC), 5C for D, 4H/4NT/5D to play
- Diamond slam Try: (3C-3D-4D):4H (redwood), 4S/5C (control), 4NT/5D (to play)
- 3S then Opener must relay to 3NT
- 4CD: Flip (other minor) slam tries + 1st/RKC: 4C: 6+D, 4D 6+C
- 1st step rejects, 2nd-5th are RKC responses, over 4D reject with 2 w/o Q (no room)
- After reject: next step re-asks RKC anyway, other bids are 4N/5m to play or control bids
- 4HS: Both minors slam try, splinter
- 2NT-3S-3NT-4S: 4NT to play, 5m to play
- 2NT-3S-3NT-4H: 4NT to play, 5m to play, 4S tell me which one
- 4N Quant w/ both minors
- New March 2026: (2NT) … X is penalty, 3C is majors