BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOUR partner deals and opens 1NT (12-14 points). What would you bid; and

would it make any difference if the ♣ J

were ♣ A? CLEARLY, the point here is that you would prefer to play in a 4-4 major suit fit if partner has either four hearts or four spades, which you could discover by bidding a Stayman2 ♣ . But the important point to remember is that you must not make this bid if you have no sensible rebid when partner denies a major.

In other words, what are you to do if he responds 2 ♦ ? You have no sensible option because to convert to 2NT now would promise that you had enough to bid 2NT in the first place — which you haven’t.

With the ♣ A instead of the ♣ J you have enough to raise 1NT to 2NT so you can well make the 2 ♣ inquiry on the way and, if opener comes up with a four-card major, you can raise him in it.