Unusual vs. Unusual

Unusual vs. Unusual is a defense against the Unusual Notrump.. It is used after partner opens the bidding and the opponents overcall 2NT to show the lowest two unbid suits. For simplicity, the following description uses examples when partner opens 1 or 1 and the opponents overcall 2NT. However, Unusual vs. Unusual should also be used when partner opens 1 or 1.

Conventional responses after 1/ (2NT) :

Response	Meaning
Double	Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in one of their suits.
3	A game-forcing hand in the unbid major (hearts if partner bid spades, and vice-versa). Forcing.
3	A limit raise or better in partner's suit. Forcing.
3	A constructive raise (7-10 points) opposite a 1 opening. A natural non-forcing bid opposite a 1 opening.
3	A constructive raise (7-10 points) opposite a 1 opening. A natural non-forcing bid opposite a 1 opening.

Below are the responses in greater detail.

Natural with interest in penalizing the opponents in one of their suits. Shows about 7+ points, and typically a balanced hand. Denies 3-card support. Note that this gives up the ability to play negative doubles in this situation.

			Opener			Responder
			K4			AJT2
			AQT92			T8
			A752			J43
			T8			KJT9
		Opponent 1     Pass	Opener     1		Opponent 2     2NT (1)	Responder     Double (2)

1. Unusual, showing at least 5 clubs and 5 diamonds.
2. Double shows an interest in penalizing the opponents in either suit (in this case, clubs).

Artificial. A game-forcing hand in the unbid major suit (hearts if partner bid spades, and vice-versa). Forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			K84			AJT52
			AQT92			K8
			A72			K94
			T8			K97
		Opponent 1     Pass	Opener     1		Opponent 2     2NT (1)	Responder     3 (2)

1. Unusual.
2. A game-going hand with 5+ spades.

Artificial. A limit raise or better. 10+ points and 3+ card support. Partner is allowed to sign off in 3.

			Opener			Responder
			K4			A52
			AQT92			KJ87
			A7			K984
			T873			42
		Opponent 1     Pass	Opener     1		Opponent 2     2NT (1)	Responder     3 (2)

1. Unusual.
2. A limit raise or better in hearts. Responder's strength is unlimited.

A nonforcing raise if partner opened 1. 7-10 points, 3-4 card support.
*OR*
Natural, 5+ hearts (usually 6) and 7-10 points if partner opened 1. Weaker than a 3 response. Non-forcing.

			Opener			Responder
			K43			AQ2
			AQT92			J875
			A7			T984
			T83			42
		Opponent 1     Pass	Opener     1		Opponent 2     2NT (1)	Responder     3 (2)

1. Unusual.
2. A constructive raise. 7-10 points, 3-4 card support.

A nonforcing raise if partner opened 1. 7-10 points, 3-4 card support.
*OR*
Natural, 5+ spades (usually 6) and 7-10 points if partner opened 1. Weaker than a 3 response. Non-forcing, but represents a very good spade suit since it bypasses 3.

			Opener			Responder
			54			AKQT92
			AKT92			8
			AQ2			T98
			T83			542
		Opponent 1     Pass	Opener     1		Opponent 2     2NT (1)	Responder     3 (2)

1. Unusual.
2. A very good spade suit, but non-forcing.

Note that with 5-card support, responder should only use Unusual vs. Unusual with game-forcing values. With less than 12 points, it's normal to simply jump directly to 4/.