1NT (15-17)

The modern, strong 1NT opening shows a balanced hand with 15-17 HCP. In the old days, 1NT showed 16-18 HCP, which has fallen out of favor due to its lower frequency.

Examples of hands suitable for a 1NT opening:

A873 AJ42 AJ2 KT

K97 T2 K87 AKQ43

AJ 876 AK98 KT32

AKQ KQJ2 J65 987

1NT promises balanced suit distribution without any singletons or voids, namely:

• 4-4-3-2
• 4-3-3-3
• 5-3-3-2

However, 1NT may also be opened on semi-balanced distribution:

• 2-2-3-6 (a long minor)
• 2-2-4-5 (excluding length in both majors)

In "Commonsense Bidding", Bill Root cites the following semi-balanced hand as an example of distributed strength suitable for 1NT:

K2
AQ
AT75
KT942

The SAYC bidding system states that 1NT "can be made with a five-card major". This is up to partnership agreement.

The advantages of opening 1NT with a 5-card major:

• It's slightly more preemptive. It's riskier for the opponents to overcall 2 over 1NT than to overcall 1 over 1.

• It's more descriptive. Your point range and balanced shape are immediately shown, whereas a 1/ opening bid may be made on all kinds of hand patterns and strengths.

The disadvantage of opening 1NT is the danger of missing a major-suit fit. This can happen whenever partner holds 3- or 4-card support:

• She passes 1NT with a weak hand.

• She passes a 2-level overcall. Now you must decide whether to introduce your major at the 2-level.

• She makes a Jacoby Transfer when you only have doubleton support.

Consequently, partnerships may have special agreements with a 5-card major (up for discussion):

• Opening 1NT with 3 cards in the other major, in case partner makes a transfer bid.

• Opening 1NT with evenly distributed high-card strength.

• Opening 1NT with 5 hearts. With 5 spades, consider opening 1.

The following responses are consistent with the SAYC bidding system, which is comparable to any generic 5-card major system. However, variations always apply and these responses should not be considered universal for all bidding systems.

Response	Meaning
Pass	0-7 points, no 5-card major (use a Jacoby Transfer instead) and no 6-card minor (bid 2 to relay to your minor suit).
2	Stayman, showing 8+ points and at least one 4-card major. However, it typically excludes hands with 4-3-3-3 shape.
2	A Jacoby Transfer, showing 5+ hearts.
2	A Jacoby Transfer, showing 5+ spades.
2	Artificial, showing a weak 6+ card minor suit. Opener is required to bid 3. Responder will pass or correct to 3. Minor-Suit Stayman is a popular non-SAYC alternative to this approach.
2NT	Invitational to 3NT. Shows 8-9 HCP and balanced shape. Denies a 4-card major unless holding 4-3-3-3 shape.
3	6+ clubs, 7-8 HCP. Invitational to 3NT. As an alternative approach, it may simply be a weak sign-off bid. This method is espoused by expert Richard Pavlicek, among others.
3	6+ diamonds, 7-8 HCP. Same comments as 3, above.
3	6+ hearts with slam interest. However, this agreement rarely comes up. Many players would simply start with a Jacoby Transfer.
3	6+ spades with slam interest. Same comments as 3, above.
3NT	Natural, 10-13 HCP.
4	Gerber, an artificial ace-asking bid.
4NT	Quantitative, inviting 6NT.

• If the opponents double 1NT, then Stayman and Jacoby Transfers are still "on".

• If the opponents overcall 1NT, then Jacoby Transfers are "off". However, Stayman may still be possible via a cuebid.

• If the opponents double a 2/ Jacoby Transfer, then opener is allowed to pass with only 2-card support.

As a non-SAYC alternative, the Lebensohl convention can be used to show a variety of hand types if the opponents double or overcall through 2.