(2MA) - 2NT system

[MFA]

(2♥) - 2NT - (pass)

(2♠) - 2NT - (pass)

 

Does anyone have some good system here? For me it is just 2NT-system on, which means stayman + transfer. I just seems so silly with one of the majors already "taken".

 

Particularly I am interested in a structure that would allow us to sign-off in as many suits as possible at the three level (without losing the normal stuff like finding 4-4, 5-3s majors and offering a choice of game with the latter).

[awm]

I started a thread about this a while back; perhaps someone will link to it.

 

My suggestion is to play everything as a transfer, with transfer to the opponents' suit being stayman. This has the advantage of being simple while getting you an extra three-level signoff and also helping with slam bidding. So:

 

(2♥)-2NT-(Pass):

 

3♣ = 5+♦

3♦ = game-going hand with four spades

3♥ = 5+♠

3♠ = 5+♣, at least mild slam interest

3N = to play

 

(2♠)-2NT-(Pass):

 

3♣ = 5+♦

3♦ = 5+♥

3♥ = game-going hand with four hearts (forcing)

3♠ = 5+♣, at least mild slam interest

3N = to play

[bluecalm]

3♣ = 5+♦

3♦ = game-going hand with four spades

3♥ = 5+♠

3♠ = 5+♣, at least mild slam interest

 

^^

 

I prefer 3♠ as minors 5+-4+ at least light SI though and 4♣/4♦ as natural slam tries.

[MFA]

Makes good sense. (2♠)-2NT-(p)-3♥ = four hearts is a little annoying because of the potential wrongsiding.

[jdonn]

Transfers are pretty good. I like to make a slight change that 3♣ is a signoff in any suit and transfering to the other major is invitational+. The disadvantage is when you're strong with diamonds (would have transfered to diamonds then bid again, although you can still bid 3♣ then 3NT (or higher) to show diamonds), but the two advantages are (small) you can bid 3♣ then cuebid for 3 suited short in opener's suit, and (big) you can just invite when invitational with the other major, which is a common and important hand type.

[MFA]

Ok, also a very good suggestion from jdonn.

[bb79]

I had asked this question before, this was Fred's response ..

 

3C->3D (see below)

3D=Invitational or better with 5+ of the other major

Cuebid=Stayman

3 of other major=Both minors

 

After 3C->3D:

 

Pass=signoff

3 of other major=signoff

Cuebid=GF with long diamonds

3NT=GF with long clubs (not forcing)

4C=GF with long clubs (forcing)

There is more to it than that, but if you can deal with the above then you can probably work out something sensible for followups sequences and (if you want) for sequences not defined above.