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Unusual No-trump


The Unusual No-trump overcall is used after the opponents open the bidding. A 2NT overcall is artificial, showing the two lowest unbid suits (at least 5-5 shape). There is no point minimum, although obvious factors like vulnerability should be considered. See also the Michaels cuebid, a complementary convention for showing 5-5 hands, and Unusual vs. Unusual, a defense to the Unusual No-trump.


Unusual No-trump Overcalls

  • A 2NT overcall of 1 shows 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts.

  • A 2NT overcall of 1 shows 5+ clubs and 5+ hearts.

  • A 2NT overcall of 1 shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds.

  • A 2NT overcall of 1 shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds.


The Unusual No-trump is possible if one or both opponents have bid:

7
9
AJT84
KJ982

Opponent 1  
1
Partner  
Pass
Opponent 2  
1
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) 2NT shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds. Note that this is an overlap with the Michaels cue bid here - a 2 overcall would also show 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds. Also, note that the overcaller could alternatively make a takeout double, which would imply lesser shape and at least ~12 HCP.

7
A9832
AJT842
J

Opponent 1  
1
Partner  
Pass
Opponent 2  
1NT
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) 2NT shows 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts.


Partner's Responses

  • Partner usually bids the suit that he has the most tolerance for. With equal length in both suits, especially with two doubletons, he bids the cheapest suit.

    General Note: When responding to the Unusual No-trump with equal length in both advertised suits, bid the cheapest suit first, e.g. 3 with xx Kx. You can run to diamonds if the opponents double.

  • If partner has a weak hand with at least four-card support, he can consider making a preemptive jump bid:


    Opponent 1  
    1
    Overcaller  
    2NT
    Opponent 2  
    Pass
    Partner  
    4

    4 is preemptive and non-forcing, promising at least four clubs.

  • With a good hand, partner can cue bid the opponents' suit. This typically shows support for at least one of partner's suits, and interest in game or slam. A cue bid is forcing for one round and asks the 2NT bidder to bid his cheapest suit at the cheapest level with a weak hand (around 0-10 points), or to make any other bid with a "fair" hand (around 10+ points).

  • If by chance partner bids the "fourth suit", i.e. the suit not bid by the opponents or shown by partner, that bid is natural and nonforcing, showing a very good suit (usually 6+ cards), a decent hand, and no support for either of the 2NT bidder's suits.


Rebids by the 2NT bidder

Raises are natural and non-forcing. All other bids show a very good hand (in terms of points and/or shape) but, with the exception of a cue bid, are non-forcing.


Other Considerations

  • The Unusual Notrump is a useful convention because:

    • it immediately shows partner a specific two-suited hand that would otherwise take two bids to illustrate.
    • it preempts the opponents.
    • it only gives up a natural 20-21 HCP 2NT overcall, which virtually never occurs and can still be shown with a takeout double and 2NT rebid anyway.

  • A 2NT overcall of 1NT needs to be defined by partnership agreement. In some conventional 1NT defenses like Cappelletti, a 2NT overcall does show the 2 lowest suits (clubs and diamonds). In other conventions like DONT, however, a different overcall such as 2 is used to show clubs and diamonds.

  • A 2NT overcall of artificial opening bids such as a Precision 1 also needs to be defined by partnership agreement.

  • The Unusual No-trump works well in conjunction with the Michaels cue bid, which is another convention for two-suited overcalls.

  • There is also a conventional defense against the Unusual No-trump called Unusual vs. Unusual.


Additional Examples

The Unusual No-trump is also in effect if both opponents have bid up to 2:

6
KT9832
QJT93
2

Opponent 1  
1
Partner  
Pass
Opponent 2  
2
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) 2NT shows 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts.

AQJ872
32
void
KQJT9

Opponent 1  
1
Partner  
Pass
Opponent 2  
2
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) 2NT shows 5+ clubs and 5+ spades. Be careful after an opposing 2-over-1 sequence. The opponents have announced that they have the majority of points, so an Unusual No-trump overcall typically promises extra length or strength, especially at equal or unfavorable vulnerability.

J83
void
AJT93
KQJT9

Opponent 1  
2 (strong)
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) Over a strong two-bid by the opponents, a 2NT overcall is Unusual. Here, 2NT shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds.

Q63
AT987
AJT93
void

Opponent 1  
2 (Precision)  
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

In the Precision bidding system, an opening 2 bid shows 6+ clubs and 11-15 HCP. It therefore fits the definition of "a natural, constructive two-bid", so a 2NT overcall is the Unusual No-trump, showing 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts.

AQ63
KJ3
K32
AT9

Opponent 1  
2 (weak)
Overcaller  
2NT (1)

(1) This is not the Unusual No-trump, because 2 is preemptive, not constructive. 2NT shows a balanced, natural ~16-19 HCP.