Game-forcing minors 2♣♠
Responder bids 2♣ with 5+♦ or 2♠ with 5+♣, game-forcing without a 4-card major. With both minors, responder bids 2♣ and shows clubs next.
Opener describes, and responder places the contract. Opener’s rebid shows shape, not strength, except that balanced hands split 12–14 from 18–20.
Both hands show stops the same way: a new major shows a stop, and notrump shows stops in all unbid suits. Over a splinter, 3NT promises a stop in the short suit. Bids beyond the tables are slam tries.
After 2♣
Opener never holds a 5-card major, so a major shows four cards and a stop. Opener bids a 4-card major first, hearts with both, unless raising diamonds.
| 1♣ - 2♣ - | |
|---|---|
| 2♦! | BAL 12–14, 0–3♠, 0–3♥ |
| 2♥♠ | 4+#, 0–3♦ |
| 2NT | BAL 18–20 |
| 3♣ | 6+♣, 0–3♠, 0–3♥, 0–3♦ |
| 3♦ | 4+♦, no SPL |
| 3♥♠! | SPL, 0–1#, 4+♦ |
| 1♣ - 2♣ - 2♦ - | |
|---|---|
| 2♥♠ | Stopper |
| 2NT | Stops in both majors |
| 3♣ | 4+♣ |
| 3♦ | 6+♦ |
After 2♠
Opener bids 3NT with the weak balanced hand and 2NT with the strong one, keeping room where slam is possible.
| 1♣ - 2♠ - | |
|---|---|
| 2NT | BAL 18–20 |
| 3♣ | UNBAL, no SPL |
| 3♦♥♠! | SPL, 0–1# |
| 3NT | BAL 12–14 |