Non-forcing 1NT
Opener is free to pass 1♥ - 1NT with a balanced minimum. The best major fit at 1♥ - 1NT - - is balanced 5-3. Opener can judge when to pass quite safely.
| 1♥ - 1NT - | |
|---|---|
| 2♣ | 11–16, 3+♣ |
| 2♦ | 11–16, 4+♦ |
| 2♥ | 11–14, 6+♥ |
| 2♠ | 15–16, 4+♠ |
| 2NT! | 15–16, 6=♥, ≤ ♥AJ9 |
| 3♣♦ | 15–16, 5+# |
| 3♥ | 15–16, ((6+♥, AJT+) or 7+♥) |
| 3♠ | 15–16, 4+♠, 6+♥ |
| 3NT! | Gambling, 7+♥ AKQ, no outside A/K |
Just like 1♠ - 1NT, the threshold of suit quality is based on Binky Points.
Impossible spades
Spades that responder rebids must be artificial because 1NT already denies spades. The impossible 2♠ is the invitational raise of opener’s last suit — clubs after 2♣, diamonds after 2♦, hearts after 2♥ — forcing for one round, so opener accepts game with a maximum or signs off in three of the suit. The direct three-level raise is the weaker, to-play version.
| 1♥ - 1NT - 2♣ - | |
|---|---|
| 2♦ | NF, 5+♦ |
| 2♥ | NF, usually 2–3♥ |
| 2♠! | INV, 4+♣ |
| 2NT | BAL INV |
| 3♣ | NF, 4+♣ |
| 3♦ | INV, 6+♦ |
| 3♥ | INV, 3=♥ |
| 1♥ - 1NT - 2♦ - | |
|---|---|
| 2♥ | NF, usually 2–3♥ |
| 2♠! | INV, 4+♦ |
| 2NT | BAL INV |
| 3♣ | INV, 6+♣ |
| 3♦ | NF, 4+♦ |
| 3♥ | INV, 3=♥ |
| 1♥ - 1NT - 2♥ - | |
|---|---|
| 2♠! | INV, 2+♥ |
| 2NT | BAL INV |
| 3♣♦ | INV, 6+# |
| 3♥ | NF, 3+♥ |
Precision 2NT
Like 1♠ - 1NT - 2NT, opener has pinned a narrow hand — a maximum with a weak six-card suit — so responder simply places the contract. Here the spade puppet has nothing to find: 1NT denied spades, so there is no second major, and the escape suits ♣♦ straddle hearts rather than sitting below the trump suit. Every call is therefore a natural sign-off — pass with a balanced minimum or retreat to a long minor or take the 6–3 heart fit at the level your strength buys.
| 1♥ - 1NT - 2NT - | |
|---|---|
| 3♣ | S/O, 6+♣ |
| 3♦ | S/O, 6+♦ |
| 3♥ | S/O, 3=♥ |
| 3NT | S/O, 0–2♥ |
| 4♥ | S/O, 3=♥ |