Unlike other bids a major bid may only promise 4 and may not be longest suit.
A caution a 5-3-3-2 with 5 hearts and 16 points is a challenging position, may have to lie about the 6th heart or use 1NT, openers discretion. To limit the risk should be a good 16 point hand, a bad one should open 1h.
Jump is used to show game force values
1♥ - Forcing to 1♠ with the hands not shown below. This is the sequence to be able to to show 20 - 21 1NT hand
- Forcing to 1♠
- 1♠ double negative ALERT may not have had spades (0-5 HCP) has at least 2 hearts if 0-4 HCP
- Opener can escape to 2♥ with 5 of them and lower range because responder didn't bid 2♥
- 1NT is 20 - 21 HCP
- 1NT response is double negative (0-4 HCP) and long suit by responder
- With low range of opener opener bids 2♣ to relay partner to their suit and will pass their bid
- With strong NT hand from opener (20 - 21 HCP) bid 2♦ - Use Lebensol to game force with top range or sign off
- 2♣ response is Good Hand (6-7 HCP) no fit for hearts (<3 hearts)
- 2♦ response is Good Hand (6-7 HCP) secondary support for hearts (3 hearts)
- 2♥ 0-1 hearts and support for the other suits - ALERT (0 - 4 HCP)
- 2♠ is the jump shift below
- 2NT 5-5 in the majors or minors (0 - 4 HCP) ALERT
- Opener bids best minor and responder corrects with lowest major with majors
- Opener bids 3♥, game force asking for distribution. 3♠ is minors 3NT is majors
- 3♥ fit max hand (5-7 HCP) 4+ hearts
- Jump shift is (4-6 HCP) with long suit 6+ with most or all values in that suit
- Double Jump Shift (6-7 HCP) 5+ trumps and singleton/void
- 1♠ double negative ALERT may not have had spades (0-5 HCP) has at least 2 hearts if 0-4 HCP
- After response any jump by opener is game force (22+ points)
ALERT - Hearts or a Strong NT Hand
1♠ - Forcing 4+ Spades
- May not be longest suit but always show spades when there NT bid is not available
- 1NT response is double negative (0-5 HCP) denies 4 spades
- 2♣ response is Good Hand (6-7 HCP) not fit for spades (<3 spades)
- 2♦ response is Good Hand (6-7 HCP) secondary support for spades (3 spades)
- 2♥ 5+ hearts (6-7 HCP) denies 3 spades
- 2♠ fit min hand (0-4 HCP) 4+ spades
- 2NT mini-splinter (5-7 HCP) Singleton or void and 4+ card support
- 3♣ Ask for singleton/void and game force
- 3♠ fit max hand (6-7 HCP) 4+ hearts
- Jump shift is (4-6 HCP) with long suit 6+ with most or all values in that suit
- Double Jump Shift (6-7 HCP) 5+ trumps and singleton/void
- After response any jump by opener is game force (22+ points)
1NT - 17-19 HCP Balanced (When opening NT is 15-17 then range changes to 18-19) could be some 16 pointers with 5-3-3-2 distribution and 5 is typically a major
- Invitational values are 6-7 HCP
- Can bid this even if there is a 5 card major
- Lebonshol is on even if they interfered before the NT
2♣ - Long clubs or Minors (16-20 HCP)
- Usually 6+ clubs but could be 5♣-4♦
2♦ - Long diamonds or Minors (16-20HCP)
- Usually 6+ diamonds but could be 4♣-5♦
2♥ - 5+ Major/Minor (16+ HCP)
- 2♠ - Ask for Distribution (6-7 HCP)
- 2NT is diamonds and a major, 3c is asking for major, opener has to jump with good hand
- 3c is clubs and a major, 3d is asking for major opener has to jump with good hand
- 2NT - at least 3 card support in all suits (6-7 HCP)
- Any other bid is crawling for a fit bidding up the line skipping doubletons or shorter with bids pass once fit established (0-5 HCP) Sign off at the lowest possible
ALERT
2♠ - 4441 Distribution (18+ HCP)
- 2NT asks for singleton can use 4♣/4♦ RKC and any other bid is sign-off
- If bidding a suit below 3NT expect 0-5 HCP and long suit 7+
ALERT
2NT - 22-24 HCP (when 15-17 is opening NT then range continues to be 22-24)
3♣ - 5+ Clubs and Game force (22+ HCP)
- Better to go with a balanced NT if you can
3♦ - 5+ Diamonds and Game force (22+ HCP)
- Better to go with a balanced NT if you can