In any constructive neutral sequence with at least one of the hands unlimited, neither player should go beyond 1NT with less than a combined minimum of 23 points, since the bidding will not normally stop before 2NT or three of a suit. Indeed, with a minimum hand partner will often be forced to respond 2NT immediately, so the two-level entry bids should be kept up to strength when one player is unlimited.
This consideration determines the minimum strength for a two-level response to an opening bid. The minimum for a one-level response will be three points lower than that – so promising a nominal combined count of 20 – and a 1NT bid will limit opener or responder to the lowest three-points of the range shown so far. It follows that 1NT may often have to be bid on shape-unsuitable hands by either opener or responder, and is something of a dustbin bid.
When both hands are limited, however, there is no hindrance or significance to bidding beyond 1NT, and there may be a good case to do so if the contract can be improved. This is considered further under opening one of a major later.
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 865 | 1 | pass | 1 | pass | KQ93 |
| KQ87 | ? | 54 | |||
 AJ64 | 97 | ||||
 K10 | A8643 |
on this hand, the bidding will not stop below 3NT. Instead opener must rebid 1NT with this minimum holding, and then responder can happily pass.| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pass | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1NT |