JACOBY vs. JORDAN

by Ned Downey and Ellen "Caitlin" Pomer

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Jacoby 2NT

v

Jordan

By Ned Downey and Ellen Pomer (Caitlin)

There have been issues between Jacoby 2NT and Jordan/Truscott 2NT among novice players. Ned and Caitlin have written about both these conventions in their book, Standard Bidding with SAYC, and we present them to you here.

Responding with Game Forcing Values or Better

Game-forcing hands typically contain 13+ points. With hands of this strength, responder has many options and can be creative if nece - - You will also find that stronger holdings are often harder to bid weaker ones

Hand 12	Hand 13	Hand 14
ª J984 © 76 ¨ AKQ9 § K84	ª 9 © QJ743 ¨ Q732 § 987	ª KJ7 © KJ5 ¨ KJ653 § 42

Hand 12: Partner has opened 1©. Although you have a wonderful collection, your bid is only 1ª. When an unpassed responder bids a new suit, even if only at the one-level, it is forcing for one round, and the hand may contain anywhere from 6 to perhaps 20 or more playing points. Therefore, this seemingly mild response does not limit your strength. There is no need to rush to show your opening count, since partner must bid again When he does, you are likely to know a great deal more a',- your combined assets.

Hand 13: When partner opens 1© you have a very special hand and theopportunity to raise directly to 4©. Note that this bid does not show an opening hand. Rather, it shows a relatively weak hand, 9 HCP maximum, with great distribution and a minimums of five-card support for hearts.

Hand 14: When partner opens 1©, you know your side belongs in game, at least. Do not jump to 4©. Partner will think you have a weak, distributional holding similar to that shown in Hand 2. With a better than average hand, he will pass and slam will be missed. And don't you just hate it when that happens? Start with a forcing bid of 2¨ and jump in hearts at your next call.

Jacoby 2NT

	Hand 15
	ª AT42 © KT8 ¨ A75 § QJ5

Hand 15: Partner opens 1ª and we have the appropriate hand for the conventional response of 2NT*. This call is known as the Jacoby 2NT and is employed in response to a major-suit opening, with no intervening bids by the opponents. Jacoby 2NT shows an opening hand or better, and four-plus cards in support of partner's major.

Opener's rebids following a Jacoby 2NT raise

Let's look at opener's rebids.

An immediate jump to game* shows a balanced minimum (14 HCP or less) with no singleton, void or second five-card suit.
3NT* shows a balanced hand in the 15-17 HCP range with slam interest, no singleton, void or second five-card suit. Opener is probably 5422 else he would have opened 1NT.
A rebid of opener's major at the three-level* shows 18+ HCP and slam interest.
A three-level bid in a side suit* shows a singleton or void in the suit bid.
A four-level bid in a side suit* shows a second five-card suit.

One would expect, there are other treatments when responding to a by 2NT. The version outlined above is the traditional one.

If opener holds a second five-card suit, he must also hold a void or singleton. When given a choice between showing one's void or single ,-ersus a second five-card suit, ask yourself whether that five-card suit is worthy of bidding. If it is not, show your singleton or void.

Note the following two hands:

	Hand 16		Hand 17
	ª AKJT9 © 8 ¨ AQJT9 § 87		ª AKQJ8 © 8 ¨ Q9763 § AQ

Hand 17: The poor texture of the diamond suit offers little of interest. This time, your primary feature is the singleton heart. Bid 3©*.

For a description of Jordan/Truscott 2NT, click here

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