ACBL04C – Notrump: The 3 Absolutes              Ward Trumbull

                                                                                                              Dec 18, 2006

                                                                                                              Page 1 of 1

 

      When one partner opens one notrump, there are 3 absolutes about

his/her partner’s responses.

 

1. The responder is in total control of the bidding sequence.

 

    Responder’s bids will either be asking bids or demanding bids.

 

          A. Asking Bids                             B. Demand Bids

 

               1) 2 clubs Stayman                      1) 2 diamonds - transfer  

               2) 2 notrump                                2) 2 hearts       - transfer

               3) 4 clubs Gerber                         3) 2 spades     - transfer

               4) 4 notrump Blackwood              4) 3 clubs        - transfer

                                                                   5) 3 diamonds - transfer

                                                                   6) 3 hearts       - transfer

                                                                   7) 4 diamonds - transfer       

                                                                   8) 4 hearts       - transfer

 

2. Responder will only make bids so that the notrump opener will

     will play the hand.

 

3. A responder’s bid of two notrump anywhere along the bidding

    sequence ALWAYS indicates:

 

           8 or 9 High Card Points

 

Alerting

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         Asking Bids – are not alerted.

 

           Demand Bids – must be alerted by the notrump bidder

                                    saying “TRANSFER”.