[aguahombre]

Assuming 2C is strong, forcing, and artificial ---and real
---22+ if balanced
---9+ tricks for maj if unbalanced
---10+tricks for minor if unbalanced

(Humor me on those assumptions)

Assume (also humoring me) that 2M is natural with suit quality, 3-level bids are natural and structured strong bids; and 2D is a waiting noise staying out of opener's way.

Does anyone have a good use for 2NT? I don't think I like the old 8-10 scattered quacks thing, and am looking for something useful to fill a hole.

[chasetb]

Before I give my 3 suggestions, I like your methods over 2♣ and would play them myself IF I had a partner who would play them with me (controls is all the rage). Having said that, here they are:

1.) 8-12 HCP, bal, no 5-card suit, two honor tenaces (AQ, KJx, Q10x)

2.) 11+ HCP, bal, 3+ controls

3.) Play 2NT as a transfer to 3♣, and so on up the line. Not sure what to do then with 3♠.

After thinking about this, what do you use 3NT for? I don't have it defined, but am thinking that it should be something like 5-5 or better in the minors, and good suits.

[skjaeran]

Over here it's popular to play 2NT as GF with 55+ in the minors.
I've also played it at a transfer to clubs.

[babalu1997]

chasetb, on 2011-March-12, 00:34, said:

Before I give my 3 suggestions, I like your methods over 2♣ and would play them myself IF I had a partner who would play them with me (controls is all the rage). Having said that, here they are:

1.) 8-12 HCP, bal, no 5-card suit, two honor tenaces (AQ, KJx, Q10x)

2.) 11+ HCP, bal, 3+ controls

3.) Play 2NT as a transfer to 3♣, and so on up the line. Not sure what to do then with 3♠.

After thinking about this, what do you use 3NT for? I don't have it defined, but am thinking that it should be something like 5-5 or better in the minors, and good suits.

I use philip alder transfer prempts, 2nt- 3 club weak suit, 3 club- diamonds weak suit
3 sapdes id the solid seven card minor gampling nt, 3nt is an 8 card minor with one hole
4c/4d namuats, 4h, 4s premptive

[aguahombre]

The question was about 2NT in response to partner's strong/forcing/artificial 2♣ opening bid.

[Free]

The biggest problems I've encountered after a 2♣ opening is when responder has a big 2-suiter. If you want to use most of your humorous approach, you might want to use 2NT for one or more 2-suiters. You have 2M natural, so perhaps ♣-♦ might be useful (definitely better than bidding 2/3♦ first and having to ignore the ♣).

[Phil]

I prefer to play what Fred has suggested: 2♠ is a balanced 8-10, and 2N through 3♥ are positive responses.

[Free]

Phil, on 2011-March-14, 09:03, said:

I prefer to play what Fred has suggested: 2♠ is a balanced 8-10, and 2N through 3♥ are positive responses.

I thought he played 2NT as a positive in ♥ or ♠, but I don't have any idea what he uses 3M for.

[gwnn]

simple:
2NT=5-5 in the majors (i.e. the hand you are least interested in NT)

fancy:
2NT=two out of top three or better in a major, 6 cards or longer

[tolvyrj]

If i have to humor u in every aspect, then no i dont find any better use for 2Nt than 8-10 bal. hand.
I do have a succestion though; natural 3 level response can be quite destructive so i have used this xfer method where 2Nt is xfer to ♣and 3♣is xfer to ♦ continues u can choose by u self ( accept xfer promises or denies something and so on).
3D promises some HHJxxx suit and 3H promises some AKQxxx suit.

[ggwhiz]

Just respond 2♦ awaiting developments and conserving bidding room. 2nt doesn't exist