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INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 21

1. RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S 1NT WHEN THE OPPONENTS HAVE MADE AN

INTERVENING BID - Partner opens one No Trump, and your RHO (Right-hand Opponent) overcalls 2

of any suit:

a. A double is always for penalties, and is never a negative double in this circumstance.

Ex. 1NT 2H Dbl.(Penalty) (or) 1NT 2D Dbl.(Penalty)

b. A cue‑bid of their suit is Stayman seeking a 4-card Major. If the opponent’s overcall had been a Major suit, the cue-bid seeks a Golden fit in the alternate Major. If the opponent’s overcall had been a Minor suit, the cue-bid seeks a Golden fit in either Major. In either instance, a game-force scenario is in place and the partnership must continue until game lever has been achieved in either the sought-after Major suit, else in NT. Thus, opener’s partner guarantees at least 11 HCP’s.

Ex. 1NT 2H “3H” (Game-Forcing - Seeking Spades)

1NT 2D “3D” (Game Forcing - Seeking Hearts or Spades)

c. A bid of 2NT is invitational (9‑10 HCP's) as if the overcall had never been made, and 3NT is to

play, thus evidencing at least 11 HCP’s. Both imply a stopper in the overcalled suit.

Ex. 1NT 2H 2NT (Invitational to 3NT)

1NT 2D 3NT (To Play)

d. A bid of any suit other than the overcalled suit is to play (“drop dead”) and is not Stayman even if it happens to be Clubs.

Ex. 1NT 2H 2S (To Play)

1NT 2D 3C (Natural, to Play, Not Stayman)

2. RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S 1NT OVERCALL - Your LHO (Left-hand Opponent) has opened 1 of

a suit, and partner has overcalled 1NT.

a. A Cue-bid of Opener’s suit is Stayman seeking a 4-card fit in one or both of the Major Suits.

Ex. 1D 1NT P “2D” (Stayman for Both Majors)

1H 1NT P “2H” (Stayman for Spades)

b. Any suit bid, other than the opener’s suit, is natural and to play.

Ex. 1H 1NT P 2S (To Play)

1H 1NT P 2C (Natural, To Play, Not Stayman)

c. A bid of 2NT is invitational (9‑10 HCP's) as if the opening bid had not been made, and 3NT is to

play, thus evidencing at least 11 HCP’s. Both imply a stopper in opener’s suit.

Ex. 1H 1NT P 2NT (Invitational with a Heart Stopper implied)

1H 1NT P 3NT (To Play, with a Heart Stopper implied)