[harikannan]

My partner opens 1NT, 15-17 and RHO bids 2NT showing 5-5 or better in minors.

How do I show my different hand types. Thanks.

[P_Marlowe]

harikannan, on 2025-August-02, 00:54, said:

My partner opens 1NT, 15-17 and RHO bids 2NT showing 5-5 or better in minors.

How do I show my different hand types. Thanks.

A common method is to play Unusual vs. Unusual.

The lower bid showes a forcing hand with the lower suit (hearts), the higher cue a forcing hand
with the higher suit (spades). Direct bidding the suit is to play.

X showes values, at least inv.+, ... following doubles on the 3 level are penalty oriented.

In the end, how do you defend against a 2NT Unusual bid, if your side opened the bidding?
Use the same method.

[harikannan]

 P_Marlowe, on 2025-August-02, 01:52, said:

how do you defend against a 2NT Unusual bid, if your side opened the bidding?
Use the same method.

Thanks for your response. But when partner opens a suit, i can cuebid the lower of opponent's suit to show support and at least invitational values. Here, i can't.

I guess i want to bid only on inv+ hands. So, the concern is how to bid with 4 card major vs 5 card major? Can i use double as asking for 4 card major inv. values and 3c as stayman GF? Direct 3M bids as 5 card major GF. Or am i just rambling?

[DavidKok]

The way I defend against this two-suited bid, i.e. my version of 'Unusual versus Unusual', works as follows:

1NT-(2NT)-?

• 3♣: Invitational(+), 5(+)♥.
  
• 3♦: Invitational(+), 5(+)♠.
  
• 3♥: To play, 5(+)♥.
  
• 3♠: To play, 5(+)♠.
  
• 3NT: To play
  
• Pass-then-pass: weak.
  
• Pass-then-double: penalties.
  
• Double: Enough values to have the balance of strength, no clear direction. Not a hand looking to penalise either suit. Also denies a 5cM and denies the desire to blast 3NT.
  
• Double-then-double: Takeout, they bid our short suit. This is how you find 4-4 major fits.
  
• Double-then-pass: ends the auction, to play.

Note that on the auction 1NT-(2NT*)-X-(3m); ? opener has to make a takeout double if they found opener's short suit.

There are better variants. I know some people use 3♣ as 'both majors with a longer or equal hearts', which I think is better. There's also room for custom continuation schemes over these bids. Truthfully the NF 3M responses don't offer much value, and you could make those gameforcing and free up room below. But this is a relatively simple scheme that works over most 2-suited overcalls, including this one.

[harikannan]

Thanks Davidkok. It really helps.