There are two types of hands; balanced or unbalanced. You respond differently depending on whether your hand is suitable for playing in No Trumps or should be played in a Trump suit
Responding to 1NT with a balanced hand using limit bids
- Less than game points (10 or less points) ---Pass with fewer than 11 HCP
- Possibly game (11-12 points) --- Bid 2NT inviting partner to bid game with 11-12 HCP
- Enough for game(13-20 points) --- Bid 3NT
Hand 1.
Your Hand
♠ J 9 8
♥ Q 8 7
♦ A Q 7 3 2
♣ A 7
Your Bid
Bid 3NT as you and partner have enough HCP for game even if your partner only has 12HCP
Hand 2.
Your Hand
♠ K 7
♥ Q 6 5
♦ Q 9 8 3
♣ A 9 8 4
Your Bid
You have enough HCP to bid game if your partner has 14HCP so an invitational 2 NT limit bid (showing you have 11 or 12 HCP's)
Hand 3.
Your Hand
♠ 10 9 3
♥ A Q 10
♦ 9 8 6 4
♣ 6 5 4
Your Bid
Pass - because you don't have enough HCP's
Responses to 1NT with unbalanced hands.
- Less than game ---Bid at the 2-level of longest suit with not enough for game
- Game & 5-card major --- jump to the 3-level 3♥ or 3♠ with a 5-card major (a new suit, freely bid at the 3-level is forcing for your partner to rebid.
- Game & 6-card major --- Bid 4♥/ 4♠ with a 6-card major and enough HCP for game
The opener must pass any bid at the 2 level.
Hand 4.
Your Hand
♠ Q 7
♥ J 10 8 7 5 4
♦ 8 7 2
♣ A 7
Your Bid
Your bid is 2♥ you have less than 11 HCP and the hand will play better in a suit contract - remember your partner will have at least 2 ♥ because they opened with 1NT. Your partner should not make any other bids, their hand has already been described
Hand 5.
Your Hand
♠ A 7 6
♥ J 10 8 7 5 4
♦ K 9
♣ A Q
Your Bid
Your bid is 4♥ You have 14HCP and your long 6 card heart suit means game is better played in ♥ This triple jump bid is also shutout bid, your partner should stop bidding
Hand 6.
Your Hand
♠ 9 3
♥ 10 2
♦J 7 6 5 4 3
♣ 10 9 2
Your Bid
Bid 2♦ Your hand is stronger if this contract is played in ♦ When responder bids at the 2 level after partners opening 1NT this is a shut out, so opener will not keep bidding (later we will learn about conventions where 2 level responding to 1NT opener may not be a shutout)
Hand 7.
Your Hand
♠ K 5
♥ K J 10 8 2
♦ A 6 5
♣ 10 9 2
Your Bid
Bid 3♥ This bid is a forcing bid to game, your partner chooses either 4 ♥ or 3NT depending on the number of hearts in the combined hands
Remember that the choice of the best contract usually lies with the responder. Bidding a suit at the 2-level after partner opens 1NT, is called a “weakness takeout”.
Limit Bids 1NT - How to Play Bridge - Acol Lesson 11
