3 level response to 1NT Acol

[el mister]

What is a common treatment for 1NT - pass - 3 of something in Acol?

 

I understand them as strong, game-forcing bids, is this standard? This would be in a basic Acol system which has the 2 level bids of 2♣ stayman, 2♦ and2♥ transfers and 2♠ does not mean anything.

 

What I am interested in is what sort of hands would you bid 1NT - 3m, rather than 1NT - 3NT; and likewise when 1NT - 3M, rather than using a transfer at the 2 level?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

Playing Acol without discussion, I would assume, that 2H

and 2S are natural sign off bids, i.e. I would assume, that

we dont play transfer.

 

Under this assumption, it becomes clear, why one would

need to have 3M as a game forcing bid availabe.

 

If you add transfer to the list of conventions you are playing,

you should also start talking about the meaning of 3?, and

about the meaning of 2S.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[helene_t]

What Marlowe said, but here in Lancaster most play 3m as invitational (stronger hand go via stayman, weaker hands transfer) while 3M is forcing.

[Old York]

Hi

 

Responses of 3 minor are treated as a slam try. Hands with a 5 card or longer minor and no prospects beyond game should simply bid 2NT or 3NT and never introduce the minor suit.

 

Responses of 3 major differ according to whether or not transfers are being used.

Without transfers, 3 major is game forcing with 5 card major (and not 4 cards in the other major)

With transfers, 3 major is also a slam try. Opener should cue bid with good support. Raise with any 3 card support, and bid 3NT with no support.

 

This agreement is normal for most natural systems.

 

Tony