One of a major has a nominal strength of just 12 points. In response you should assume initially that opener has the weakest type – a weak no-trump with only a four-card suit and 12 points – and value your hand accordingly.
All the responses to one of a major are systemic. The 1
and 1NT responses can be weakened from the theoretically sound 8 points to as a little as 6 points if responder thinks there is a better spot available. Opposite 1
:
| 1 | unlimited, in principle at least 8 points |
| 1NT | limiting, in principle 8 to 10 points, denies spades |
2 and 2 | unlimited, at least 11 points |
| Higher | systemically agreeing hearts (or to play) |
And opposite 1:
| 1NT | limiting, in principle 8 to 10 points |
| 2 and 2 | unlimited, at least 11 points |
| 2 | unlimited, at least 11 points and five cards |
| Higher | systemically agreeing spades (or to play) |
The 1NT response necessarily covers a wide range of hands, and so it is often best to give responder another chance to bid out his hand. Because both hands are limited, bidding on shows no extra strength, and responder will often pass opener's rebid or vice-versa. So:
- bid a second suit in a hand with good offensive values
- consider rebidding a major, but only with at least six of them
- with a strong source of playing tricks – typically a long minor – consider a punt at 3NT; if you bid 2NT with this type of hand, partner won't know how to value his own cards, and if you are making 2NT, you are probably making 3NT
- the invitational 2NT raise should show a top whack balanced 15-count
- pass on 4333 hands, or hands with soft values.
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KJ863 | 1 | pass | 1NT | pass | |
| A52 | 2 | pass | 2 | pass | |
| KQ72 | 3 | pass | 4 | pass | |
| 8 | pass |
is a splinter agreeing hearts.| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K863 | 1 | pass | 1NT | pass | |
| A | ? | ||||
| 87 | |||||
| AK10854 |