and a balanced hand (no 5 card major suit, no singleton, no void)
But sometimes you'll bid 2NT with :
a major 5 carder
a minor two-suiter
or with 19H !
S
W
N
E
2NT
A
K
10
Q
10
6
5
2
A
J
10
A
Q
Problem E1815 Open 2NT with this poor major 5 carder
S
W
N
E
2NT
A
J
K
Q
3
K
Q
10
9
4
2
A
10
Problem E1818 Reassess a 6322 hand. And consider it as a balanced hand if : - the 6 carder is a minor suit, - your major suits are well protected
2NT opening bid with a 5 card major and 20-21H
With a 20-21H hand, you'll bid 2NT if
your 5 card major is poor in honors
and your doubletons a correctly protected
You may also open 2NT with a decent 5 card major but scattered honors !
S
W
N
E
2NT
A
Q
K
5
4
3
2
A
Q
A
J
5
4
Problem E1816 2NT with a balanced hand 5422 if your doubletons are holding and your major suit is poor in honors....
S
W
N
E
2NT
K
J
9
3
2
A
Q
J
A
Q
K
10
3
Problem E1814 With a 5332 distribution and 20-21H, don't hesitate to bid 2NT if your honors are scattered in all the suits
2NT opening bid with a 20-21H two suiter
Opening 2NT with a 5422 hand (5 and 4 are the minor suits) is worth it if your doubletons are seriously holding. It is very important if you have honors you need to protect. If you open with a minor suit bid, your partner might become the declarer and therefore your honors might be in danger.
S
W
N
E
2NT
K
3
A
Q
A
J
9
4
3
A
Q
9
8
Problem E1819 Some minor two-suiters deserve a 2NT opening bid
2NT opening bid with 19H
As usual, assess the actual strength of your hand. Counting the honors points is not enough ! Some 18-19 H hands will make more tricks than others holding 21H !