2NT-3
Playing transfers and Stayman, 3 is sometimes
idle after a 2NT opening. Some Puppet Stayman types
prefer it to be reverse Flannery, that is 5+4
,
as this shape is hard to show using Puppet. Most seem to
use it as a puppet to 3NT with rebids thus:
-
4
= single suiter in clubs
4
= single suiter in diamonds
4 = both minors, short hearts
4 = both minors, short spades
4NT = 2254 or 2245 slam try values
5 = both minors, no slam interest
Some prefer to reverse the meanings of 4 and 4
so that opener is always playing the hand.
How strong one plays this bid also varies. Some play that
it shows a minimum of a slam try; others prefer it can be
a choice of games. In either case, opener's 4NT rebid is
nonforcing. If you use the 5 bid, which most do
not, then all the other two-suited bids show slam interest.
I recommend this method.
Some non-standard, but interesting extra later bids I
play in some partnerships:
-
2NT-3; 3NT-4M; 5m-next step = key card
2NT-3; 3NT-4M; other-5M = RKCB in the corresponding minor
2NT-3; 3NT-5m = key card in that minor. Then 6m+1 = specific kings
2NT-3; 3NT-4m; next step = key card
Many play this convention in conjunction with a
non-standard 3NT response. It is highly recommended
that one does not do this. 2NT-3NT will frequently
get passed regardless of one's agreements about its
forcing status. I know lots of partnerships who gave
this up after the third catastrophe.
Jeff Goldsmith,
jeff@gg.caltech.edu,
August 3rd, 2002