Defending After Opponents Bid Unusual 2NT
If right-hand opponent overcalls partner's opening bid with an unusual 2NT,
responder's initial decision will be driven by whether he wants to compete for
the contract, investigate game, consider penalising opponents, just stay out of
things.
Possible Actions
- an immediate raise of partner's suit is competitive, with no aspirations
for going further. Partner needs to know the score before opponents get
together and take the level too high for us to get further involved.
- a direct bid of the fourth suit, usually the other major, shows a 5-card
suit [minimum] and is non-forcing. With a stronger hand responder would
cue-bid RHO's higher suit.
- cue-bidding 3♣ [assuming that's RHO's lower suit] promises
support for opener's suit, but forcing only to the three-level.
- cue-bidding 3♦ [RHO's
higher suit] promises 5+ cards in the other major.
- an immediate double shows general values [10+ HCP], with a preparedness to double at least
one of RHO's suits for penalties. Could be short in opener's suit, certainly
without obvious support, but could have a 3-card suit if the opening bid has
only promised a 4-card suit. A subsequent double after an initial pass would
be take-out.