1NT Swedish Style
     
 
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1NT openings and continuations – The Swedish Way

  
     
 

This article was written by Janne Roos and explains a system of responses to a 1NT opening. It assumes that the 1NT opening does not contain a 5-card major:

 
     
 

First of all I would like to say that this is not my system, but rather a bidding system response to a 1NT opening that many good players in Sweden have adopted. And I am not going to talk about points, the system can be adjusted to whatever your opening 1NT range is. Also, if you open 1NT with two 4-card majors then you must respond 2♥ and not 2♠ or 2NT to a 2♣ ‘Stayman' bid.

 
 
     
•  

1NT - 2♣ You use this 2♣ bid with many types of hand:

     
  1.

You use it when you wish to play game in NoTrumps or in a major.

   

For example, 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 3NT, 3NT shows a desire to play in either 3NT or 4♠. So if the 1NT opener has 4 ♠'s in addition to his 4 ♥'s then he bids 4♠ as responder would not have asked for majors if he does not have one himself.

     
  2.

With many types of hand when you think it's better to play in a low-level suit contract rather than 1NT. These hands always have a 4-card ♠ suit, maybe 0-7 points.

   
     
   

Example 1: xxxx xxxx x xxxx

   

You ask for majors with 2♣ and pass if partner bids a major. If he responds 2♦ then you bid 2♥. The 1NT opener can now choose his best major.

     
   

Example 2: xxxx x xxxxx xxx

   

You have a 4 card ♠ suit and a 5-card minor.
    If it goes 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ or 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ then you pass.
    If it goes 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ then you bid 2♠ showing exactly 4 ♠'s and a 5-card minor. Partner may pass 2♠ or bid 2NT, asking for the 5-card minor
     
  3. If you have a strong hand and want to play in at least game or maybe slam.
    You bid this with a 5-card suit
     
   

Example 1: xx xxx xxxxx xx

    1NT - 2♣ - 2any - 3♦
    If the 1NT opener likes ♦'s he now cue bids.
    If he doesn't like ♦'s the he bids 3NT.
     
   

Example 2: xxxxx xx xxx xxx

    1NT - 2♣ - 2any - 3♠
    If the 1NT opener has 3 ♠'s he cue bids as he does not know how strong partner is.
     
  4 If you have a game going hand but need to know more about opener's shape.
     
   

1NT - 2♣ - 2any - 2NT is forcing to game and asks more information about opener's hand – where is the 1NT opener's 4/5 card suit (over 2♦) or do you have another 4-card suit (over 2♥/ ♠)?

     
   

Example: The 1NT opener has xxxx xx xxxx xxx

    1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ - 2NT - 3♦
    If responder does not like ♦'s he bids 3NT, otherwise he cue bids.
     
    Finally,
   

1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 3♥ and 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ - 3♠ are forcing to game, start cue bidding.

     
     
•   

1NT - 2♦ is used with just two hand types

     
  1.

You want to play in 2♥ or 2♠.

    xx xxxxx xxxx x
    1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - pass
    Partner must always bid 2♥ over 2♦. If you have 5 ♠'s and not 5 ♥'s you bid the same but correct 2♥ to 2♠.
     
  2.

If you have a 6-card suit and want to play in at least game then you bid

    1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3any
    If you bid 3♣/♦ then the 1NT opener bids 3NT with bad slam cards or else cue bids.
    If you bid 3♥/♠ then the 1NT opener bids 4♥/♠ with bad slam cards or else cue bids.
     
     
•   

Invitations

     
  1.

1NT - 2♥/♠
   

This is an invitation with a 5-card major. If opener does not like the suit he should pass.

    Opener never bids 2NT.
     
  2

1NT - 3any

    Minors invite to 3NT
    Majors invite to 4 of the major
     
  3

1NT - 2NT

    2NT can have a 4-card major so if the 1NT opener wants to play in game he can ask for majors
     
 
     
  For mor details on this system, se the book Notrump Bidding the Scanian Way by Magnus Linkvist.  
     
 
  Janne Roos Pattaya Bridge Club - www.pattayabridge.com
 
     
 
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