Now what?

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable. The Opponents are not vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AQ84
♥AK9
♦K954
♣J4

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. The Opponents "Pass" throughout the auction. We decided last post to respond 2♣. This is Stayman asking Partner if they have a four card major.

Partner responds 2♥. What does that tell you about Partner's hand?

What is your bid? What does you bid show/ask?

Show Answer

First of all Partner's bid says they have at least four ♥. (They might have five if you sometimes open 1NT with a five card major.)

It does not say how many points they have. They could have 15 or 16 or 17.

Plus they could still have four ♠. They didn't deny having four ♠. We might still have a fit.

Hmmm. If Partner has 16 or 17 HCP you want to be in a small slam. You have 17 and together with 16 (or 17) makes 33 (or 34) points which is more than enough for a small slam.

But if Partner only has 15 HCP you don't want to be in a small slam.

Plus we could still have a fit! How do we ask if Partner is minimum or maximum while showing four ♠?

4NT. This is quantitative saying "Partner if you are minimum just "Pass" but if you are maximum bid 6NT."

"But what about my ♠ suit?! How do I show that?!" I can hear you say.

You already told Partner you have four ♠. You bid Stayman. You have a four card major. Since you can't have four ♥ (Partner said they had four ♥ and if you had a fit you would have bid some number of ♥) but you have a major you must have four ♠. With no four card major you don't bid Stayman.

So 4NT in this auction shows about 16 or 17 HCP with a four card ♠ suit! Perfect.

The climactic finale is coming up next post.