Confusing 2NT
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Players have trouble with 2NT because the meaning of the bid changes depending on the bids that have preceded it and who is making the bid.  In order to get 2NT bids right you must understand who is making the bid and whether they are the opener, responder, or overcaller, and the point count ranges that each bid shows.
Before I give you all the guidelines for 2NT bids and ranges, I want to make sure that you all understand that it is between you and your partner how you play. Let's look at the 2 basic partnership agreements and see how much the meaning of the 2NT changes depending what the responder's bid means.
- Let's look at opener's 2NT bids.
An opening bid of 2NT shows (20-21 HCP's) balanced hand with no singletons, or voids.
An opener’s jump re-bid of 2-NT after responder bids at the 1-Level shows (18-19 HCP's), balanced hand and no fit for partner's suit.
An opener’s re-bid of 2NT after responder responds at the 2-Level shows (12-14 HCP's) a balanced hand and no other suit to bid. The difference from the example above was that responder's bid was on the 2nd level which shows 10+ points (in standard) or 12+ points in (2/1).  If opener had 15+ points she would bid game since responder shows 10+.
An opener’s re-bid of 2NT after previously opening “2C”shows (22-24 HCP’s), and a balanced hand, slightly stronger than an opening bid of 2NT. You should play Jacoby transfer and Stayman convention.
Let's look at responder's 2NT bids.
I recommend to play different over a minor opening versus a major opening.  
-  Over a Minor.  Responder’s bid of 2NT following a minor suit opening bid by partner shows a good (10-12 HCP’s), balanced with no 4-card Major, and no support for opener’s minor suit.
Even in this hand the responder’s shows a an invitational hand (10-12 HCP’s), but with a 4-card major, and without a fit for partner. Partner didn't limit their hand yet.
The difference between this auction and the above 2 hands is that partner's 1NT rebid limits his hand to 12-14.  That is why our 2NT doesn't show any longer 10-12 , but should show 12 points.
- Over a Major. A responder’s bid of 2NT following a major suit opening bid by partner I like to reserve for a special convention called Jacoby 2NT. (13+ HCP's) and 4 card trump suit.
- Over a NT. A responder’s bid of 2NT following a NT opening bid by partner shows good 8 to 9 points and no 4 card major.
2NT in Competitive Auctions
- Jump overcall called "Unusual 2NT " - It shows 5-5 or longer in the two lower unbid suits, either very weak (5-10 HCP’s) or very strong (16+) HCP’s.
A 2NT overcall of 1♣  shows 5+ diamonds and 5+ hearts.
A 2NT overcall of 1♦  shows 5+ clubs and 5+ hearts.
A 2NT overcall of 1♥  shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds.
A 2NT overcall of 1♠  shows 5+ clubs and 5+ diamonds.
Example of unusual 2NT
- A 2NT overcall after a one-level opening is indeed the "Unusual Notrump" for the two lowest unbid suits. But a 2NT overcall after the opponents' weak two-bid is anything but Unusual. It is natural and balanced. It guarantees a stopper in the opponent's suit. The range is that of a strong 1NT opener maybe a little stronger. I'd say it is at least 15 and could be up to 18  balanced and with a stopper.  After your partner overcalls 2NT you should play "Systems On" – Stayman, Jacoby, etc.
1 of 6. What should you bid next? *
1 point
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2 of 6. How many points West needs to go to 3NT? *
1 point
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3 of 6.  What should you bid next ? *
1 point
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4 of 6.  What should you bid next ? *
1 point
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5 of 6. How many points you need to go to 2NT? *
1 point
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6 of 6. How many points 2NT shows? *
1 point
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What is your email address? *
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