Worthwhile Conventions #1 — Jacoby 2NT
Start simple. After 1♥ or 1♠, a 2NT response is Jacoby: at least 4-card support and game-forcing values.
Core meaning
- 1♥ / 1♠ — 2NT shows a 4+ card raise in opener's major.
- Game force: the partnership is committed to game.
- The auction now focuses on shape and strength.
Opener rebids after Jacoby 2NT
- 3♣ — minimum hand, typically 14 or fewer.
- 3♦ — non-minimum, no shortage.
- 3♥ — non-minimum with lowest shortage (clubs).
- 3♠ — non-minimum with middle shortage (diamonds).
- 3NT — non-minimum with highest shortage, the other major: ♥ if you opened 1♠, ♠ if you opened 1♥.
Continuations after opener rebids 3♣ (minimum)
Option A: ask for shortage. Responder bids 3♦ to ask whether opener has a shortage.
- 3♥ — no shortage.
- 3♠ — low shortage (clubs).
- 3NT — middle shortage (diamonds).
- 4♣ — high shortage, the other major: ♥ if you opened 1♠, ♠ if you opened 1♥.
Option B: responder shows own shortage. Instead of the 3♦ ask, responder can bid directly over opener's 3♣ (minimum) to show their own shortage:
- 3♥ — low shortage (clubs).
- 3♠ — middle shortage (diamonds).
- 3NT — high shortage, the other major: ♥ if partner opened 1♠; ♠ if partner opened 1♥.