Opening 2NT by Paul Bowyer

A: 2NT. This is a classic, textbook 2NT opening bid. You have 20 points and a balanced hand and can describe this precisely by opening 2NT. Whatever happens next is up to partner.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. This is a not-so-classic 2NT opening bid. Most of the time that you open 1NT you have one of the classic balanced shapes (to wit: 4.3.3.3, 4.4.3.2 or 5.3.3.2 pattern). With a 2NT opening bid we sometimes allow some leeway. Why? Because the alternatives are unpalatable. What is your alternative opening bid here? 1♣? Perhaps, but you'd feel pretty sick if you were left high and dry in that contract and you missed a cold game.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. Another compromise. It is controversial whether you should open 1NT with a five-card major (some experts are happy to do so, some argue against the practice). However, almost all will open 2NT with a hand like this, arguing that it is the lesser risk to open 2NT with a five-card Spade suit and 21 points than 1♠ and risk playing there with game an easy proposition.

Your result so far:

A: 1♣. It has to be admitted that some players would open this one 2NT (arguing that the ♦K acts as a stopper if West were to underlead the ♦A!) but we think that a distortion too far. If you are forced to play in 1♣ then too bad. We will open 2NT on some distorted hands but not with a 4.4.4.1 pattern containing a singleton King. We do have some pride...

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. Yes, really. Let's face it - we have eight tricks in our own hand (assuming Clubs come in) so need very little in partner's hand to make game. 1♣ risks missing the boat here and 2NT (which at least shows the point-count) may well be the only way of getting to a makeable game contract.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT. Partner has 20 or so points and you have 5. Yes, you would have passed a one-bid but you can't Pass 2NT with this hand. Between you the partnership has 25 points so bid the most likely game.

Your result so far:

A: Pass. Some players live with the belief that 2NT cannot be Passed. Yes it can - and here is a classic hand where you would do just that. Again, it's just a case of adding up what you can see in front of your face (doesn't take long, does it?) and add it to what partner has announced. As the total is well less than 25 points you Pass and let partner stew in his own juice. Er - we mean, allow partner to play peacefully in 2NT.

Your result so far:

A: 4♥. Bid what you think you can make. Partner has 20 or more points and you have 5. The total is around about the magic 25 points so you should be in game. Which game? Well, Hearts seems obvious to us (North must have at least two of them) so we just bid game in Hearts... Easy game, bridge.

Your result so far:

A: 3NT. Bidding Clubs and Diamonds is (generally speaking) a waste of time. Here it is unlikely that you can make eleven tricks in Clubs (so 5♣ is off the radar) but you have enough to try for a game. With luck Clubs will run for six tricks (partner could easily have ♣A Q x) and 3NT will roll in without sweat. If not, c'est la vie.

Your result so far:

A: 7NT. Too difficult? Well, this is a simple application of adding up what you can see to what partner has announced. You have 19 points, partner has 20-21 (he can't have more...!) So between you the partnership has 39-40 points, leaving the opponents with one Jack at the most. They aren't taking a trick with it, no matter how the cards are lying, so bid the contract you know you can make.

Your result so far: