Two-Suited Minor Suit Slams opposite 1NT opening.

[Dinarius]

[hv=pc=n&n=sk8h6dqjt72caqj62&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1np]133|200[/hv]

 

For example, how would you explore for slam with this hand opposite a 15-17 1NT opening?

 

Can 3♥ or 3♠ be used to show at least 5/5 in the minors and game-forcing? (If not, what do you use these bids for?) Opener could retreat to 3NT with no interest (e.g. minimum and 4432, for example).

 

But, I'm interested to hear what others bid.

 

Thanks.

 

D.

[DavidKok]

It's rare enough I wouldn't worry too much about it. One possible solution is to transfer to clubs and then bid diamonds (or transfer to clubs and then show the heart shortness, backing into diamonds if partner signs off). Personally I use the jumps to 3M as (31)(54) GF (bid the singleton, though I've heard people say that bidding the 3-card suit might be better). Note that this has consequences for transfer-to-a-minor-then-show-shortness, as it's no longer a 5431 type hand (and more usually is 6331 or 6m4om21).

 

If you do not play transfers to minor suits (not even through 2♠ range ask) this is going to be difficult to show.

 

Incidentally over a 2NT opening I use 3♠ as this type of hand - GF with both minor suits. It's funny that it's more of an issue over 1NT than over 2NT.

[Cyberyeti]

We don't play 4 suit transfers, so ours go thru 2♠ along with weak options, partner breaks with 4 diamonds or 5 clubs, if he doesn't, we can bid 3N NF 5-5 but still SI with this

[Stephen Tu]

Most common these days I see 1nt-3d to show this sort of hand, when playing 4-way transfers using up the 2s/2nt responses. Unfortunately there aren't standardized followups to 3d.

 

1nt-2s as minor suit stayman (followed by 3H on your example hand to show 55 with a stiff heart) used to be more common. Certainly 1nt-3H could conceivably show the same thing, with whatever you now used 1nt-3h for moved into a different bid.

 

[Dinarius]

After 3D showing at least 5/5 in the minors, what about 3❤️/3♠️ now by opener to set clubs/diamonds respectively, and 3NT to show minimum and the likes of 4432?

 

D.

[mw64ahw]

I have played around with a 1NT structure that includes 3 ways to show/explore the slam try:

a) Transfer to ♣ via 2♠ - if super accepted then 4♣ is a slam try

b) Transfer to ♣ and bid 3♦ - 3♥ then asks whether xx46 or xx55 - xx55 is then 3NT Pass/Correct or 4♣ minor suit slam try

c) Start off with a Puppet Stayman version and over 2♦, 3♣ can be a minor suit slam try played out similarly to the Puppet Stayman version I use.

[Stephen Tu]

After 3D showing at least 5/5 in the minors, what about 3❤️/3♠️ now by opener to set clubs/diamonds respectively, and 3NT to show minimum and the likes of 4432?

 

D.

 

I've seen this suggested before, but I don't think the early cheap trump setting is of much value. I'd rather have some scheme that helps opener evaluate vs responder's stiff or not to see whether they have too much wasted opposite that, to still get back to 3nt despite having a decent fit, when you have secure double stop and too many wasted values. So shortness asking, or maybe showing wastage opposite a stiff, or denying wastage opposite a stiff, etc.

 

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

there are schemes, that use 2NT as 55 in the minor, to free up the natural meaning, invite without

a 4 card major into the hands, that use 2C Stayman.

 

The consequence is, that 2S in the seq.

1NT - 2C

2H - 2S

 

has to show 4 spades and inv.+ strength, and the NT opener needs to start with hearts, if he happens

to have 4-4.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe