HOME > BRIDGE LESSONS > STANDARD AMERICAN LESSONS
Responding to 1NT with 0-9 points
Negative responses are an attempt to find the safest contract as it is painful going light in 1NT.
Replying with a minimum hand 0-9 points
Negative Responses to Partner’s 1NT opening bid
| No Trump Opening Bid | Responders Negative Reply | Meaning of Responder Bid |
|---|---|---|
| 1NT | Pass | Game is out of reach and you have no five card suit to bid |
| 1NT | 2C | Stayman, promising a 4+ card major asking partner to bid their 4 card major (2H or 2S) if they have one, otherwise rebid 2D (can have as few as 8 HCP for this bid) |
| 1NT | 2D, 2H or 2S | are all sign off bids – promising five cards in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass. |
This page is a ‘lite’ version of the interactive Bridge lessons available in our Premium Members area.
Subscribe to our free ‘Hand of the Week’ newsletter and get instant access to 31 interactive Bridge lessons and 32 guided Bridge games in our Premium Members area. Our Premium Member area also includes hundreds of interactive Bridge lessons covering: Standard American Bidding, Acol Bidding, Conventions, Defensive Bidding, Defensive Card play, Decrlarer Play lessons plus – daily Bridge competitions, daily guided Bridge hands, ‘extra for experts’ Bridge games, inline Bridge glossary, instant-answer quizzes and much more.
Try it Free Today.
Negative Responses to Partner’s 2NT opening bid
| No Trump Opening Bid | Responders Negative Reply | Meaning of Responder Bid |
|---|---|---|
| 2NT | Pass | Game is out of reach and you have no five card suit to bid |
| 2NT | 3C | Stayman, promising a 4+ card major asking partner to bid their 4 card major (3H or 3S) if they have one, otherwise bid 3D |
| 2NT | 3D, 3H or 3S | are all sign off bids – promising five cards in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass. |
Negative Responses to Partner’s 3NT opening bid
| No Trump Opening Bid | Responders Negative Reply | Meaning of Responder Bid |
|---|---|---|
| 3NT | Pass | no five card suit to bid and less than 8 HCP for a slam |
| 3NT | 5D, 4H or 4S | are all sign off bids – promising five cards in the bid suit with only minimum points. Opener must pass. |
These lessons are short extracts of the full interactive Bridge lessons available in our members area.
