Bidding Conventions >

Raptor 1NT


Raptor is an artificial 1NT overcall of an enemy 1-bid:

  • Over 1C / 1D, 1NT shows 5-6 cards in the unbid minor and exactly 4 cards in an unspecified major.

  • Over 1H / 1S, 1NT shows exactly 4 cards in the unbid major and 5-6 cards in an unspecified minor.

The 1NT range is 10-15 HCP. Stronger hands can overcall directly (and reverse, if necessary) or make a takeout_double.


Examples


J
HKQJ5
DAT983
C532

RHO    
1C
You    
1NT 1

(1) Raptor, showing 5-6 diamonds and a 4-card major.


AJ32
H-
DKT73
CAT983

RHO    
1C
You    
1NT 1

(1) Raptor, showing 5-6 clubs and a 4-card major.


AJ43
H76
DAT953
CA5

RHO    
1H
You    
1NT 1

(1) Raptor, showing 4 spades and a 5-6 card minor.


Q32
HKQJ5
D9
CAT983

RHO    
1S
You    
1NT 1

(1) Raptor, showing 4 hearts and a 5-6 card minor.


Responses to (1C) 1NT

2C asks for partner's major suit. Partner can bid his major suit to show 4-5 shape, or he can bid 2D to show a 4-6 hand.
2D is natural, 5+ diamonds, nonforcing.
2H is natural, 5+ hearts, nonforcing.
2S is natural, 5+ spades, nonforcing.
2NT is artificial, asking for partner's major suit. This shows 12+ points and a good hand.


Responses to (1D) 1NT

Same as above, except that 2C is natural, and 2D asks for partner's major suit.


Responses to (1H) 1NT

2C asks partner to pass with clubs, or correct to 2D. It shows (near-)equal length in the minors, and no interest in spades.
2D is natural, 5+ diamonds, nonforcing.
2H is a limit raise or better in spades. 10+ points and 4+ spades. Forcing.
2S is a signoff.
2NT is artificial, asking for partner's minor suit. This shows 12+ points and a good hand.


Responses to (1S) 1NT

Same as above, except that 2H is the signoff, and 2S is the limit raise or better in hearts.


Other Considerations

  • Raptor is useful when holding a 4-5 hand with enough values to bid, but the wrong shape for a takeout double. Another subtlety is that a 2C or 2D overcall usually denies a 4-card major.

  • The drawback to Raptor is that it gives up the strong 15-18 1NT overcall. With this hand you must start with a takeout double and plan to rebid 1NT. This in turn means you can no longer make a takeout double and then rebid 1NT to show 18-20 points... but this hand is rare.

  • Raptor is only used as a direct overcall. It is off in balancing position.