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BTU 1NT

This bidding system has a strong notrump opening that does not contain a 5-card major. We use the BTU continuations after the 1NT opening: Stayman takes care of invitation with 5+ spades.

1NT-BAL 15–17
2♣!(Garbage) STAY; INV 5=♠
2♦!TRF, 5+♥
2♥!TRF, 5+♠
2♠!6+♣; BAL INV; S/T, 5+ 4+ minors
2NT!5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦
3♣!INV, 6+♣, KQxxxx or better, usually 6–7 HCP
3♦!INV+, 5+♠, 5+♥
3♥!SPL, 0–1♥, 0–3♠, 4–6♦, 4–6♣
3♠!SPL, 0–1♠, 0–3♥, 4–6♦, 4–6♣
3NTS/O
4♣!Gerber BW
4♦!Texas TRF, 6+♥
4♥!Texas TRF, 6+♠
4♠!F QUANT
4NTQUANT INV to 6NT, NF
5NTQUANT INV to 7NT, F

Minor suit transfers

1NT-2♠6+♣; BAL INV; S/T, 5+♣, 4+♦
2NTMIN
3♣!MAX, 1–3♣
3♦♥♠!MAX, 4–6♣, good stopper
1NT-2NT5+♦, 4+♣ or 6+♦
3♣!1–2♦
3♦3–4♦
3♥♠!5–6♦, good stopper
3NT!5–6♦, good ♣ stopper

BTU QUANT scheme

BTU reuses 4♠ for QUANT. This fills the blank that Gerber and Texas leave. Standard QUANT usually invites the upper 1/2 to 2/3 of the opening range. This 4♠ serves as a narrower QUANT than 4NT or 5NT by only inviting the top 1/3.

1NT-4NTQUANT INV to 6NT
6NTS/O, 16–17 HCP
1NT-5NTQUANT INV to 7NT
6NTS/O, 15 HCP
7NTS/O, 16–17 HCP
1NT-4♠F QUANT
4NT15–16 HCP
4NT-5NT!F to a 5-card suit or 6NT
4NT-7♣!P/C to a 5-card suit or 7NT
6NT17 HCP

Discussion on bidding 5-5 majors

  • Weak: Transfer to the better major suit. Give up on the other one.
  • Invitational: Bid 3♦.
  • Choice of games: Bid 3♦ most of the time. Transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ if you prefer 4♠ > 4♥ > 3NT.
  • Slam try: Transfer to spades and then bid 3♥.