Game bids over partner’s opening bid of 1 of a  major suit.

 

1.     The direct bid to 4 of a major

Shows 4 card or longer support in the major, with no slam ambitions. Those using the losing trick count it is a hand of 7 losers, and often around 10- 13pts.  The bid can be made on a highly distributional hand. Opener can ask for aces or cue bid in a new suit if a slam in the major is likely

2.     A Splinter bid

This is a triple jump in a new suit and shows a singleton or void in the new suit, with at least 4 cards in opener’s major suit. It’s a better hand than in section 1. It is usual not to make a splinter bid if the singleton is an ace, and be cautions about holding a singleton honour such as a king /queen. Partner if interested in a slam, cue bids  aces in order, or signs off in 4 of the agreed major suit The bid is forcing.

3.     The Jacoby 2NT convention.

Players learn that a response of 2NT shows 10-12 pts. It is better first to respond in a new suit, then bid 2NT to shows 10-12pts, and this avoids getting too high if opener has a very light opening bid. The Jacoby 2NT response is a better use of this bid, and shows 4 card support plus high card strength, without a void/singleton, with values for at least a game in the major suit. Partner can sign off in game or show any singleton at the 3 level. A bid of a new suit at the 4 level shows a 5 card suit, and interest in a slam. Since the 2NT bid is forcing to game, a simple re-bid of the major suit by opener shows a strong hand, and a jump to game in the major shows a weak opening hand

 

These 3 different raises enable you as responder to show different game going support hands. The direct raise shows a distributional hand, the splinter bid shows a shortage, and 2NT shows high card support but no shortage. If partner’s suit is overcalled, you can still make a splinter bid, or raise direct to game, but not bid 2NT

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