ETM Two Notrump Structure

ETM Regular 2NT structure

[Overview]

The ETM regular 2NT structure provides sufficient bidding description for responder to investigate the proper slam and look for slam, without getting over complicated. The key feature of this method is the removal of the common Texas transfers to four of a major. The preemptive effect of these bids over a 2NT opening is rarely needed. Instead of Texas, responder with a long major first transfers to the major at the three level and sees if opener can make a super accept. If there is no super accept responder can try again by bidding the other major.

[Regular 2NT responses]

3C: Stayman, promises a major.

3D: Jacoby transfer 5+Hs, any strength, but bid 4C with 5-5 in the majors..

3H: Jacoby transfer 5+Ss.

3S: Transfer to 3NT, slam try with a long minor or both minors and unequal length.

3NT: To play.

4C: Both majors, at least 5-5.

4D: Ace asking.

4H: Equal length in the minors, 5-5 or better, slam try.

4S: Transfer to Cs, may have both minors, does not invite slam, either to play or will bid again.

4NT: Quantitative, flat shape without four card major, slam invitational but not forcing.

5C: Transfer to Ds, does not invite slam, either to play or will bid again.

5D: Suit fit ask. Can be used also after 2NT-4D-reply-5D.

5M: Good trumps in M asks.

Slams: To play.

ETM Regular Two Notrump Structure

[2NT-3C Stayman]

After 2NT-3C Stayman:

3D: No four card major.

3H: Four or five hearts, 3S asks for 5Hs, 3NT says no without 4Ss, 4C says no with 4Ss. 3S can be a slam try in Hs if followed by a cuebid, or it shows 3Hs & 4Ss.

3S: Exactly four spades, not four hearts. 4H is now a slam try in Ss.

3NT: Five spades. 4H is now a slam try in Ss.

After these bids 3NT is to play, 4NT is quantitative slam try, opener accepting with RKCB replies to show number of aces.

After Stayman reply, or after 2NT-3C-3H-3S-3NT, 4m is a natural slam try, 4 cards in an unbid major.

After 2NT-3C-3H, with 4Ss and balanced/semi-balanced, responder rebids 3NT, 4NT, or 5NT, 3NT to play in notrump or 4S, 4NT to invite slam with 4Ss, 5NT to play in 6S or 6NT.

After 2NT-3C-3D (no four card major), Smolen at the three level to transfer to the other major:

3H: 4Hs & 5+Ss.

3S: 4Ss & 5+Hs.

After Smolen, opener places the contract and responder bids again with slam try values, or can retransfer to the long major to show 6 or longer: 2NT-3C-3D-3H-3NT-4H shows 6+Ss and 2NT-3C-3D-3S-3NT-4D-4H shows 6+Hs.

[Jacoby Major Suit Transfers - 3D, 3H]

The bids of 2NT-3D and 2NT-3H are Jacoby major suit transfers. After the Jacoby transfer opener super accepts with good playing hand for the major with three or longer in the suit. Opener shows the cheapest location of significant values with the super accept, with 4M showing values in the transfer suit. With a weak doubleton in the major and a long minor opener can try 3NT instead of completing the transfer. Over the super accept or 3NT, a bid of the transfer suit is a retransfer. For example 1NT-3H-4C(S fit, significant C values)-4H is a retransfer to Ss.

After opener completes the transfer, responder can bid:

OM: A bid of the other major is a slam try in the major transferred, usually with 6+ in the suit bid or planning on bid 4NT RKCB next. 2NT-3D-3H-3S and 2NT-3H-3S-4H are the slam tries.

3NT: Choice of games.

4m: Natural, game going with good distribution or a slam try.

4M: To play.

4NT: Quantitative non-forcing slam invite with 5 in the major.

[2NT-3S Transfer to 3NT]

2NT-3S demands opener bid 3NT. After opener bids 3NT, responder bids:

4m: 4 in this minor, 5 and often 6 or longer in the other minor, slam try.

4H: slam try with long Cs.

4S: slam try with long Ds.

4NT: 4-4 in the minors, slam try. Opener accepts by showing aces with RKCB replies.

After this 4NT by either player is not forcing.

[2NT-4C both majors, at least 5-5]

2NT-4C shows both majors, at least 5-5. 4D asks for best major, 4M is to play. With slam try values responder must bid again over 4M or bid above 4M over 4D.

[2NT-4D Asking for aces]

2NT-4D asks for aces, modified Roman Redwood version. After 4D:

4H: 0 or 3 aces.

4S: 1 or 4 aces.

4NT: 2 aces.

After replies 5C asks for kings, 5D asks for suit fit (see 2NT-5D below). 4NT over 4H or 4S is a signoff if partner has 0 or 1 aces. However opener bids over 4NT with 3 or 4 aces, showing shape.

[2NT-4H]

2NT-4H shows both minors, equal length (5-5/6-6) and a slam try. 4S accepts slam interest and asks responder to show best minor, while 4NT, 5C and 5D are to play, but responder can bid again, with 5M showing a void.

[2NT-4S Transfer to clubs, may have clubs and diamonds]

2NT-4S is a transfer to clubs, but can have both minors to play at the predetermined level. Opener bids 5C if likes Cs better than Ds, 4NT if likes Ds better than Cs. Over 4NT, responder bids 5C with just Cs, 5D with Ds. If responder bids 5M after opener bids over 4S, it shows a void in the suit and long clubs with slam try values – 5NT is now a signoff.

[2NT-4NT]

2NT-4NT shows a flat hand without a four card major, slam try but not-forcing. Opener accepts by showing number of aces with RKCB responses.

[2NT-5C Transfer to Ds]

2NT-5C is a transfer to Ds and opener bids 5D. Now 5M shows a void in the suit and makes a further slam try.

[2NT-5D suit fit ask, also available after 2NT-4D-reply-5D]

2NT-5D and 2NT-4D-reply-5D is a suit fit ask, looking for a possible suit contract. Opener bids a four card major with one (5Hs with both), a five card or longer minor, or 5NT with none of those. After 5NT, 6C asks partner to pass with 4Cs, bid 6D with four, or bid 6H with neither. After 5M, 5S or 5NT asks opener to bid a minor with 4 or longer, 6M with five, 6S (after 5H) with four, and notrump with neither of these.

[2NT-5M]

2NT-5M asks for decent trumps. Opener bids 6M with KJx or better in suit, passes otherwise.

ETM Complex 2NT structure

[Overview]

The ETM complex 2NT structure is designed to allow responder to show a large number of hand types in a restricted bidding space over 2NT, many of the bids showing slam tries. The key bid in the structure is “Two Too” Stayman, which is configured to find both four and five card major fits, while still preserving the use of Stayman with 5-4 in the majors. A lot of sequences permit opener to play the suit contract instead of responder.

[Complex 2NT responses]

3C: “Two Too” Stayman, does not promise four card major, modified responses.

3D: Jacoby transfer 5+Hs, any strength, but bid 4C with a H & D slam try.

3H: Jacoby transfer 5+Ss, but see 3NT response to 2NT. With 5-5 in majors respond 3D.

3S: Transfer to 3NT, can have slam interest hand with long minor or both minors.

3NT: A game going limited hand with 5Ss and 5 or longer minor.

4C: Slam try with 5+Hs & 4+Ds.

4D: Ace asking.

4H: Both minors (5-5/6-5/6-6/7-6), singleton or void in Ss, slam try.

4S: Transfer to Cs, may have both minors, does not invite slam, either to play or will bid again.

4NT: Quantitative, 2-2-4-5 shape exactly, non-forcing but slam invitational.

5C: Transfer to Ds, does not invite slam, either to play or will bid again.

5D: Suit fit ask. Can be used also after 2NT-4D-reply-5D.

5M: Good trumps in M asks.

5NT: 2-2-4-5 shape exactly, to play in slam.

Slams: To play.

ETM “Two Too” Stayman

Opener’s rebids:

3D: No four card major or both four card majors!

3H: Four or five hearts, not four spades. 3S now asks opener to bid 3NT with only 4Hs.

3S: Four spades, not four hearts.

3NT: Five spades.

After 2NT-3C-3D (no four card or longer major, or both majors):

3H: Shows either :

a) 4Hs & 5+Ss

b) a hand without a four card major that used Too Stayman and now wants to play 3NT or invite slam with 4NTwith 4-4 in the minors.

c) 4Ss & a longer minor, slam interest or stronger.

After 3H:

3S: opener asks for further description, usually either has both majors or 3Ss:

3NT: no four card major, game going hand only.

4m: 5+ suit & 4Ss, forcing to game with slam interest or good distribution. Opener now bids 4S to show both majors, after which 4NT is RKCB for Ss.

4H: 5+Ss, 4Hs, slam interest, forcing.

4S: 5+Ss, no slam interest.

4NT: 4-4 in the minors, slam invitational but not forcing.

5NT: To play in slam, asks opener to bid four card suits up-the-line.

3NT: To play opposite 5Ss & 4Hs. Now:

4H: 5+Ss, 4Hs, slam interest, forcing.

4S: 6+Ss, no slam interest.

Other: As over 3S bid.

3S: Shows 4Ss & 5+Hs. After 3S:

3NT: to play there opposite 4-5 in the majors. Now:

4C: Artificial, strong slam try.

4D: Transfer with 5+Hs & 4Ss. After opener bids 4H, subsequent bids are slam tries.

4NT: Slam invitational but not forcing with 4Ss & 5Hs.

4C,4D: Cuebids, assumes Hs are trumps, can be 4-4 in the majors.

4H: To play, never 4-4 in the majors.

4S: 4-4 in the majors and good Ss.

3NT: Shows at least one four card major, no slam interest. Now opener passes with no four card major or bids 4C with both majors. After 4C, 4D transfers to Hs, and 4H transfers to Ss. Both 4C-4S and 4C-4H-4S-5H says forgot playing transfers. All other transfers bids followed by another bid are slam tries showing location of other length. For example: 2NT-3C-3D-3NT-4C-4D-4H-5C: slam try with Cs & Hs.

4m: 6+ suit (usually just 6), not 4Ss but can have 4Hs (reason for Two Too Stayman), slam interest or better.

4M: Singleton, 5-4-3-1 shape with 5-4 in the minors, slam interest or stronger. 4NT shows no interest holding both majors.

4NT: Quantitative, flat hand with a four card major, slam invitational but not forcing. Opener now can bid 5C with both majors, and responder transfers like in the sequence 2NT-3C-3D-3NT-4C.

5NT: To play in slam, asks opener to bid four card suits up-the-line.

After 2NT-3C-3H (4 or 5Hs, not 4Ss):

3S: Asks for 5Hs, may have slam try in Hs. Bid of 4S afterwards is RKCB for Hs.

3NT: To play.

4m: Natural, with 3 or 4Ss, slam interest or better.

4H: To play.

4S: RKCB for Hs.

4NT: Quantitative less than 4Ss, slam invitational but not forcing.

5m: To play.

After 2NT-3C-3S (exactly 4Ss, not 4Hs):

3NT: To play.

4m: Natural without 4Ss, slam interest or better.

4H: Artificial, slam try in Ss.

4S: To play. If followed by 4NT is RKCB for Ss.

4NT: Quantitative less than 4Ss, slam invitational but not forcing. To bid RKCB bid 4H first, then 4NT.

5m: To play.

After 2NT-3C-3NT (5Ss):

4m: Natural without 4Ss, slam interest or better.

4H: Artificial, slam try in Ss. If followed by 4NT is RKCB for Ss.

4S: To play.

4NT: Quantitative less than 3Ss, slam invitational but not forcing. To bid RKCB bid 4H first, then 4NT.

5m: To play.

After 2NT-3C-3H(4 or 5Hs)-3S(asks):

3NT: Only 4Hs. Now:

4m: Natural with 3Hs, slam interest or better.

4H: Non-forcing slam try in Hs. Stronger than just bidding 2NT-3C-3H-4H to play.

4S: RKCB for Hs.

4NT: Quantitative with 3Hs, slam invitational but not forcing.

4C,4D,4H: Doubleton location with 5Hs, with 4H showing spade doubleton. Now:

4S: RKCB for Hs.

4NT, 5C, 5D: Cuebids with 4NT cuebid for Ss.

After sequences where responder rebids 4m natural, such as 2NT-3C-3S-4C or 2NT-3C-3H-3S-3NT-4D, 4NT is natural non-forcing by opener, or by responder on the sequence 4C-4D-4NT, where 4D by opener shows Ds. A bid of either major by opener or responder after 4m is a cuebid, and it turns 4NT by either player into RKCB for the last minor bid.

ETM Complex Two Notrump Structure – Other Details

[Jacoby Major Suit Transfers - 3D, 3H]

The bids of 2NT-3D and 2NT-3H are Jacoby major suit transfers. If holding 5Ss & a five card minor, no slam interest, responder should bid 2NT-3NT instead. With 5+Hs & 4+Ds slam try, use 2NT-4C.

After the Jacoby transfer opener super accepts with good playing hand for the major with three or longer in the suit. Opener shows the cheapest location of a significant values with the super accept, with 4M showing values in the transfer suit. With a weak doubleton in the major and a long minor opener can try 3NT instead of completing the transfer. Over the super accept or 3NT, a bid of the transfer suit is a retransfer. For example 1NT-3H-4C(S fit, significant C values)-4H is a retransfer to Ss.

After opener completes the transfer, responder can bid:

3S/3H: Either good slam try or stronger with 6+Hs, slam forcing with 5Hs & 5-3-3-2, or choice of games with 5Hs and not 4Ss or a five card minor (the last is the same as 2NT-3D-3H-3NT playing regular Jacoby).

3NT: Limited game going hand with 5Hs and a five card or longer minor, like 2NT-3NT but with Hs. See below for follow-ups.

3NT/3S: Choice of games with 5 in major, not 4 in other major or a five card minor.

4C/3H: Game going or better with 5+Hs & 5Ss. Now opener can show a good or better hand for Ss by bidding 4D, and then responder can retransfer to Ss with 4H. Otherwise over 4C opener can bid 4H or 4S to play there, after which responder can bid again with a good slam try or stronger.

4D: Slam try with 5+ in major & 4+Cs.

4M: To play.

4H/3S: Slam try or stronger with 6+Ss, or slam forcing with 5Ss & 5-3-3-2. After 4H, 4NT by either player is RKCB for Ss. 2NT-3H-3S-4H-4S-5NT offers choice of slam with 5Ss.

4S/3H: RKCB for Hs.

4NT: Quantitative non-forcing slam invite with 5 in the major.

After 2NT-3D-3H-3S (either choice of games, or 6+Hs slam try, or slam force with 5Hs & 5-3-3-2):

3NT: Choice of games. Now responder passes with choice of game hand, bids 4H with mild slam try and 4H, cuebids with stronger hand, and bids 5NT to offer choice of slam.

4C,4D: Wants to play in Hs, cuebids in case opener has slam try hand.

4H: Choice of game but not great hand for Hs.

After 2NT-Transfer-Does not complete transfer (so super accept or 3NT bid):

Transfer suit bid: Retransfer to major.

Suit over super accept: Cuebid with 4M showing cuebid in transfer suit.

Suit over 3NT: 3NT shows doubleton in M. Now new suits are natural, and 2NT-3D-3NT-4H is a transfer to Ss, showing both majors, with some slam interest. 2NT-3D-3NT-4S is to play.

[2NT-3NT and 2NT-3D-3H-3NT showing limited five in major & a five card or longer minor]

2NT-3NT (with Ss) and 2NT-3D-3H-3NT (with Hs) shows a game going limited hand with a five card major and five card or longer minor. After 3NT, opener can pass or bid 4M to play there. 4m asks partner to bid 4H if holding other minor. If instead holding the minor opener bid then responder cuebids or bids 5m if nothing to cuebid, with 4NT showing H cuebid. After 2NT-3NT(5Ss & minor)-4m-4H, then 4S is to play (that is the reason responder bids 4H, to allow opener to bid 4S and become declarer), and also 4NT over 4H is to play too.

[2NT-3S Transfer to 3NT]

2NT-3S demands opener bid 3NT. Can be used to play in 3NT without going through Stayman, or with minor suit slam try hands described below.

[2NT-4C slam try with 5+Hs & 4+Ds]

2NT-4C shows a slam try with 5+Hs & 4+Ds – this bids frees up 2NT-3D-3H-4C to show both majors. Over 4C, opener can bid 4D to deny 3Hs and show not a great hand for Ds, 4H to show 3Hs but not good slam interest. 4S is RKCB for Hs by either player, while 4NT is RKCB for Ds by opener but natural by responder, a non-forcing slam try.

[2NT-4D Asking for aces]

2NT-4D asks for aces, modified Roman Redwood version. After 4D:

4H: 0 or 3 aces.

4S: 1 or 4 aces.

4NT: 2 aces.

After replies 5C asks for kings, 5D asks for suit fit (see 2NT-5D below). 4NT over 4H or 4S is a signoff if partner has 0 or 1 aces. However opener bids over 4NT with 3 or 4 aces, showing shape.

[2NT-4H]

2NT-4H shows both minors (5-5/6-5/6-6/7-6) & a singleton/void in Ss, and a slam try. See below for both minors slam try follow-ups.

[2NT-4S Transfer to clubs, may have clubs and diamonds]

[2NT-4NT quantitative with 2-2-4-5 exactly]

2NT-4NT shows a slam try with 2-2-4-5 shape exactly. Opener can pass to signoff, or can reply showing RKCB keycards for Cs (or keycards for both minors if partnership has it available), after which 5NT by responder is a signoff.

[2NT-5C Transfer to Ds]

2NT-5C is a transfer to Ds and opener bids 5D. Now 5M shows a void in the suit and 3 keycards for Ds – 5NT is then a signoff.

[2NT-5D suit fit ask, also available after 2NT-4D-reply-5D]

[2NT-5M]

2NT-5M asks for decent trumps. Opener bids 6M with KJx or better in suit, passes otherwise.

[2NT-5NT to play in slam with 2-2-4-5]

2NT-5NT shows 2-2-4-5 and wants to play in slam. Opener bids best place of play. To play in slam with long both minors, bid 2NT-4S, then place contract.

[The 2NT-3S Minor Suit Sequences]

2NT-3S transfers to a 3NT. Then if responder bids again it shows a variety of minor suit hands.

After 2NT-3S-3NT:

4C: Forces 4D by opener. Then:

4H: 6+Ds (usually just 6) & two less Cs (usually 6-4 shape), slam try.

4S: Transfer to Cs, slam try, one keycard or three keycards, 4NT asks for queen of Cs, 5C showing one keycard and neither queen or extra length with jack, 5D shows one keycard with queen or extra length, and 5H shows three keycards without queen.

4NT: 3-3-3-4/3-3-4-3 quantitative slam try, non-forcing but slam invitational.

5C: Transfer to Ds, slam try with three keycards or one keycards for Ds and neither queen of Ds or seven Ds with the jack. With three keycards responder will bid again over 5D, bidding 5H without queen of Ds or extra length.

5D: Slam try for Ds with one keycard for Ds and queen of Ds or seven Ds with jack.

5M: void in suit, long Ds, only one keycard for Ds but considerable other values.

5NT: To play in slam with 3-3-3-4/3-3-4-3 shape.

4D: 6+Cs (usually just 6) & two less Ds (usually 6-4 shape), slam try.

4H: 5-5/6-5/6-6/7-6 in the minors & singleton/void in Hs, slam try.

4S: Transfer to Cs, slam try, two keycards, 4NT asks for queen of Cs, 5C showing neither queen and not seven Cs with the jack. If opener signoffs in 5C, responder can bid 5M to show a major suit void.

4NT: Quantitative with 2-2-5-4 exactly. Bidding as over 2NT-4NT except RKCB reply is for Ds.

5C: Transfer to Ds, slam try with two keycards for Ds and neither queen of Ds or 7Ds with the jack, or planning on bidding 5M next to show major suit void.

5D: Slam try for Ds with two keycards for Ds and queen of Ds or extra length, no major suit void.

5M: Void in suit, long Cs, only one keycard for Ds but considerable other values.

5NT: To play in slam with 2-2-5-4 exactly. See 2NT-5NT.

After 2NT-3S-3NT-4H, 2NT-3S-3NT-4C-4D-4H, 2NT-3S-3NT-4D, and 2NT-4H, all bids showing both minors and slam try values, opener can bid:

4H: RKCB for Cs. Only available after 2NT-3S-3NT-4D.

4S: Always RKCB for Ds but can signoff in Cs afterwards. RKCB for both minors if partnership has it available.

4NT: Shows a bad hand relative to responder’s shape.

5C,5D: To play there.

After opener makes a natural bid (4N, 5C, 5D), responder can continue description to still explore slam.