Bidding with Two-Suited Hands after a 1NT Opener
4-4 in the Majors
1) With weak hands (0 to 7 HCP), Responder will pass or bid 2C, (hoping to improve the contract). The ideal hand for bidding 2C will be 4-4-4-1.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2C. If partner bids 2H or 2S, raise to the three level. If partner bids 2D (denying a 4 card major), bid 2NT.
3) With game strength (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. Raise a major suit response to game, and bid 3NT over 2D.
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
5) With slam values, bid 2C. (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
5-4 in the Majors (Playing Smolen Transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 2C and pass a response in a major suit. Over a 2D response, bid your 5 card major, which partner must pass.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP):a) Holding 5 hearts and 4 spades, transfer to hearts and then bid 2S. Partner then passes, bids 3H or 4H, or bids 2NT or 3NT.
b) Holding 4 hearts and 5 spades, bid 2C and raise a major suit response to the 3 level.After a 2D response rebid 2NT. Opener can then pass, bid 3S to check for a possible 5-3 spade fit, or bid 3NT.
3) With game values (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. Raise a response in a major suit to the 4 level. Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT.
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. After a response in a major suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT. After partner selects the correct suit or NT, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman)
5) With slam values, bid 2C. After a response in a major suit, make a slam try (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman), making sure to bid slam if the controls are present. Over a 2D response, bid your 4 card major at the 3 level (this is a game force). Partner will know you have at least 5-4 in the majors, and will select the correct game in a major or NT. After partner selects the correct suit or NT, check for controls and bid the proper slam if the controls are there.
6-4 in the Majors (Playing Smolen Transfers)
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 2C and pass a response in a major suit. Over a 2D response, bid your 6 card major, which partner must pass.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP):a) Holding 6 hearts and 4 spades, transfer to hearts and then bid 2S. Partner then passes (possibly missing a 6-2 heart fit), bids 3H or 4H, or bids 2NT or 3NT. Over 2NT or 3NT, correct to 3H or 4H.
b) Holding 4 hearts and 6 spades, transfer to spades and rebid 3S. Opener can pass, bid 4S, or check back for a 4-4 heart fit by bidding 4H.
.3) With game values (10 to 14 HCP), bid 2C. If partner bids your 4-card suit, raise to game. If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit (Texas).
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. If partner bids a major suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit. Then make a slam try by cue bidding an Ace, or bidding 5 of the trump suit.
5) With slam values, bid 2C. If partner bids your 4-card suit, make a slam try (see Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman). If he bids 2D, make a transfer bid at the 4 level to your 6 card suit (Texas). Then check for controls and bid the slam if the controls are present.
5-5 in the Majors
1) With a weak hand bid 2C. Pass a response in a major, and bid 2S if partner's response is 2D. Partner must pass. If there is competitive further bidding, bid 3H if the opportunity arises.
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), bid 3H. Partner will select the final contract, usually in one of the majors.
3) With game values, bid 3S (game forcing). Partner will bid 4H, 4S or possibly 3NT (showing 2-2 in the majors).
4) With slam invitational values, transfer to spades and rebid 3H. With wasted minor suit honors, Opener signs off at 4 of a major. With a bad hand for slam, Opener may also sign off at 3NT. With a good hand for slam, Opener may:
a) Bid 3S to set spades as trump (with better spades or equal majors).
b) Cue bid 4 of either minor, setting hearts as trump.
c) Bid 4NT as RKC Blackwood for hearts.
5) With slam values, transfer to spades and rebid 3H. Regardless of Opener's response (see above), check for controls and bid slam if the controls are there.
4 Card Major, 5 or 6 Card Minor
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), you may decide to pass, bid 2C (only with a hand like 4-3-5-1), or transfer to the minor suit.
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2C. If partner responds in your major, raise to the 3 level. Otherwise, bid 2N. Do not show your minor suit.
3) With game values, bid 2C. If partner responds in your major, raise to the 4 level. Otherwise, bid 3N. Do not show your minor suit.
4) With slam invitational values, bid 2C. Then:a) If partner responds in your 4 card major, pursue slam (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
b) If partner does not respond in your major suit, bid your minor suit (game forcing, showing the other major and slam interest). If partner's first response was in hearts, he must now bid 3S holding 4 spades, confirming a 4-4 spade fit. Without 4 spades, if partner does not have a good hand for slam he signs off at 3NT.
Partner should make a move toward slam with a good hand and a fit in either or both of your suits (especially the minor). He does this by making a natural bid to show where has values.5) With slam values, bid 2C. Then:
a) If partner responds in your 4 card major, pursue slam (See Slam Bidding under Non Forcing Stayman).
b) If partner does not respond in your major suit, bid your minor suit (game forcing, showing the other major and slam interest). However, even if partner signs off, you will continue toward slam by checking for controls and bidding the slam if the controls are present.
5 Card Major, 5 or 6 Card Minor
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), transfer to the major suit and then pass. Do not show the minor suit.
2) With invitational values (8 or 9 HCP), transfer to the major suit, then bid 2NT. Partner will then pass, bid 3NT, or bid 3 or 4 in your major. Do not show your minor suit.
3) With game values, transfer to the major suit, and then bid your minor suit (showing 5-5 or 5-6 distribution). Partner will correct to 3 of the major, holding 3 or 4 cards in that suit, which you will raise to game. Otherwise, he will either bid 3NT or 4 of the minor suit, which you may pass or raise to game.
4) With slam invitational values, transfer to the major suit and then bid your minor suit. After partner chooses the final denomination (major, minor or NT), make a slam try by cue bidding an Ace or bidding 4NT (natural) if the final contract is to be in NT.
5) With slam values, transfer to the major suit and then bid your minor suit (see above). And even if partner signs off, you will continue toward slam by checking for controls by cue bidding or using RKC Blackwood.
5-5 in the Minors
1) With a weak hand (0 to 7 HCP), bid 3C. Opener will then pass or correct to 3D.
2) With invitational strength (8 or 9 HCP), bid 2NT. Opener will pass or bid 3NT.
3) With a game forcing or better hand (10+ HCP), bid 3D. If Opener has slam interest and a minor suit fit, he bids 3H to set clubs as trumps or 3S to set diamonds as trumps. With a choice, Opener sets clubs as trumps to get the opening lead coming up to the stronger hand. Responder may sign off at 3NT or 5 in the agreed minor, or pursue slam by cue bidding or bidding 4 of the agreed minor as RKC Gerber.
With no slam interest, Opener bids 3NT. If Responder is still interested in slam, he bids 4C. Opener then bids 4H to set clubs as the trump suit, and 4S to set diamonds as the trump suit. Responder then pursues slam, probably by using RKC Blackwood.
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