March 27, 2015
Source: http://www.abfevents.com.au/youth/bulletins/
After a simple auction of 1NT – 2
(Simple Stayman) – 2
(No major) – 4NT, it is clear that this is a quantitative bid, inviting partner to 6NT.
However, what if partner bids 2
or 2
showing four of the respective major? Is 4NT still quantitative or is it asking for key cards? It is best to play 4NT as quantitative – otherwise, what else are you supposed to bid with a 16 or 17 count with a balanced hand and no fit for partner’s major?
A 3-minor bid would show a game-forcing hand with 5+minor and 4-other-Major, and 2NT would be invitational to game, you have no other available bids but 4NT. If 1NT – 2 – 2M – 4NT is quantitative, how do you ask for key cards?
The solution is quite simple. Bid 3-of-other-major as an artificial bid to set partner’s major as trumps.
| 1NT | 2 (Simple Stayman) |
|
| 2 |
3 minor | 5+m, 4, Game-force |
| 3 |
Artificial, sets hearts as trumps | |
| 4/4 |
Splinter | |
| 4NT | Quantitative |
| 1NT | 2 (Simple Stayman) |
|
| 2 |
3 minor | 5+m, 4, Game-force |
| 3 |
Artificial, sets spades as trumps | |
| 4/4/4 |
Splinter | |
| 4NT | Quantitative |
This does give up the ability to bid 3 as splinter when opener shows four hearts with a 2 response. You can get more technical if you don’t have any use for a 2 rebid after 1NT – 2 – 2 – 2. For instance, you can use 2 as an artificial gameforcing bid (may have balanced hand with support for hearts) so this way, you can keep 3 as a splinter raise.] With 3-of-other-major as an artificial bid to set partner’s major as trumps, if you want to ask for key cards you start with that bid, then bid 4NT later. This allows the direct 4NT bid over a 2-major response to Stayman to be used as quantitative, as suggested above.