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Responding to 1NT Opening Bid

Being left to play in a 1 No Trump contract can be difficult to play as often the opposition have more points than you. When your partner opens 1NT it's important to think about the safest contract for your partnership.

Look at your own hand and add your points to partner's 1NT opener. Think about the shape of your hand as well. Is your hand balanced or do you have worthless doubletons, singletons or voids? Distributional points cannot be counted when you are planning a No-Trump bid.

If your partner opened 1NT they are saying that they are balanced with at least two cards in each suit and they have 15–17 HCP.

Invitational Bidding

If you have slightly less than 10 points (8–9 points) game is possible. Responder can make an invitational bid of 2NT (2 No Trump). This bid invites opener to bid game with maximum points (16 or 17 points); opener will pass with a 15 point minimum count.

Your hand is medium and balanced

Your Points Your Bid
8–9 HCP 2NT
10–14 HCP 3NT

If your hand is unbalanced

If you have a shapely hand with more than one doubleton, singleton or void it is much more suitable for the partnership to be in a suit contract. If you jump the bidding to bid 3♥ or 3♠ opener must not pass. Partner has shown 15–17 HCP, and with 8–9 HCP game has not been reached. With three or more cards in responder’s suit, the No-Trump opener should raise to four hearts or four spades; otherwise they should bid 3NT.

Your hand is medium and unbalanced

Responder Points Responder Holds Responder's Suit Bid
8–9 TP 6+ cards in ♠ or ♥ 3♠ or 3♥
8–9 TP Two four-card major suits 2♣ – Stayman Convention*
8–9 TP Two 4–5 card minor suits 2NT
10–12 TP 6+ cards in ♠ or ♥ 4♠ or 4♥
10–12 TP Two four-card major suits 2♣ – Stayman Convention*
10–12 TP Two 4–5 card minor suits 3NT

Instant Progress Quiz - Check all the correct answers

  When you have 10–12 points

  When you have less than 8 points

  When you need partner to have maximum points to be in game



Exercise: Your partner opens 1 NT - with this hand what should you bid?

Your Hand

  • ♠A 3
  • ♥J 10 6
  • ♦6 4 3 2
  • ♣A Q J 5
Answer: Your bid is 3 NT. your partner has 16-18 HCP and with your 12 HCP you have enough points for game. You shouldn't use the Stayman Convention since you don't have a 4 Card Major

Practice This Lesson

Practice Responding to partners 1NT Opener

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Extra for Experts

A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.

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