9. Summary of 1N Responses¶
Here is a summary of the responses to a 1N Opening, classified by hand type, and hand strength.
Balanced or Semi-Balanced Hands¶
This chart is for the standard 15-17 HCP 1N opener. System On means that transfers and the minor relay are on. NMF means they are not, use New Minor Forcing.
HCP |
Opening Bid |
System On? |
|---|---|---|
12-14 |
1x then 1N |
NMF |
15-17 |
1N |
Yes |
18-19 |
1m then 2N |
NMF |
20-21 |
2N |
Yes |
22-24 |
2♣ then 2N |
Yes |
25-27 |
2♣ then 3N |
Yes |
28-30 |
2♣ then 4N |
Yes |
Note
4NT is always quantitative after 1NT (never Blackwood / RKC). Use 4♣ Gerber to ask for aces instead.
Unbalanced Hands¶
One 5+ Card Major M (no 4-card other major)¶
Weak (0-7 HCP): Jacoby transfer (2♦ → hearts, 2♥ → spades) then pass.
Invitational (8-9 HCP):
With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 2NT after opener accepts.
With 6 (or more), transfer, then bid 3M.
Game Force (10-15 HCP):
With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 3NT.
With 6 (or more), transfer, then bid 4M. See Texas Transfers.
Slam Interest (16+ HCP):
With a 5-card major, transfer, then bid 3NT.
With 6 (or more), transfer then quantitative 4M.
** Super-Accepts (Advanced)**:
Opener may jump to 3M with a maximum (17 HCP) and good trump support (See Advanced Notrump for variations).
Follow-ups after Opener Accepts the Transfer
After 1N – 2t – 2M:
New minor at 3-level = game force with a second suit. Could be strong.
3M = invitational with 6+ trumps.
3NT = to play (opener can correct to 4M with a fit).
4♣ = Gerber.
4M = 6 (or more) trumps. See Texas Transfers, recommended. If playing Texas, this sequence is a mild slam try (“slow shows”).
4NT = quantitative.
One Four-Card Major¶
Use Stayman but NOT if your hand is 4=3=3=3 or 3=4=4=3. The hand should be invitational or better, unless weak, short in clubs, intending to pass opener’s rebid regardless.
Bid 2♣︎; the opener rebids a 4 (or more)-card major, or bids 2♦︎ to deny one. If opener rebids your major, revalue your hand, then:
Raise to 3M with an invitational hand.
Raise to 4M with 10+ points.
If you have slam interest (say 16+) you can power-raise by bidding 3 of the other major (3W!), which invites opener to start bidding a control.
If opener doesn’t show a fit then bid NT at an appropriate level as in the no-major case.
Both Majors (4-4, 5-4)¶
If weak (0-7 HCP), transfer to a five-card major and pass, unless Garbage Stayman applies (4=4=4=1 or 4=4=5=0).
Otherwise start with Stayman 2♣ (artificial, asks for a 4-card major). Opener replies:
2♦ = no 4-card major
2♥ = 4+ hearts (may have spades)
2♠ = 4+ spades (denies 4 hearts)
Then invite or raise to game in a discovered fit, or bid 2NT/3NT if no fit.
Optional: With a game-forcing hand, after a 2♦ denial, use Smolen.
5-5 Majors¶
You may have an agreement at the 3-level showing these hands. If not, which is the default:
Weak: Transfer to the better major then pass
Invitational: Transfer to hearts then bid 2♠.
Game forcing: Transfer to spades then bid 3♥︎.
Quiz: How do we know the responder is 5-5 in the majors in these cases?
Answer: he did not bid Stayman.
Long Minor (no 4-card major)¶
Weak (0-7 HCP only): 2♠ (Minor Relay):
Forces opener to bid 3♣. Responder then bids pass or corrects to 3♦ (to play).
Invitational (8-9 HCP):
Direct 3♣ or 3♦ (natural invite). If you are playing the 3-level bids as something else, you’ll have another way.
Game Force (10-15 HCP):
Minor Relay, then bid 3NT.
Slam Interest (16+ HCP):
Bid 2♠︎ (Minor Relay), then bid 3♥︎ to show interest in a club slam, or 3♠︎ to show interest in a diamond slam. This is part of the Minor Relay convention.
Quick Reference¶
These are the most common standard responses:
Pass: weak
2♣: Stayman (4+ major(s) or special weak hands)
2♦: Jacoby transfer to hearts (5+ hearts)
2♥: Jacoby transfer to spades (5+spades)
2♠: Minor Relay (6+ minor, usually weak)
2NT: balanced, invitational (8-9)
3NT: balanced game (10-15)
4NT: quantitative slam try
4♦/4♥: Texas transfer (optional, game force with 6+ major)
Recommended 1N Structure for Intermediates¶
Here is what I recommend for intermediates. You’ll need partnership agreement.
Play the major transfers and Texas transfers, and Minor Relay.
Play the 1N – 3x bids as natural and invitational.
Do not try to get to five of a minor; the basic decision is whether to go past 3N or not. Once you go past 3N, you’re going to really hope you can bid the slam because 5m is usually a bad outcome (especially in matchpoints) if 3N is making. The minor relay slam try has the virtue of letting opener call it off with 3N or 5m depending on his hand; or he can control-bid or ask for Aces.
Warning
A great many players, some with considerable experience, are misinformed about sequences like 1N – 2♣ – 2M – 4N and 1N – 2T(transfer) – 2M – 4N. These are all quantitative. Direct skeptics to any good book or professional web page on 2/1. Do not let an allegedly more experienced partner bully you on this.