Conventions in depth
A 2NT response to 1♥ or 1♠ that shows a game-forcing raise with four-card support and asks opener to describe the hand.
The bid is artificial and needs about 13 or more support points, the hands just above a limit raise. Game is certain; the only question left is slam.
With a side shortage, opener’s first duty is to reveal it, because a singleton or void opposite partner’s honours is the biggest clue to slam. So a new suit at the three level shows a singleton or void in that suit.
Responder then revalues. Honours opposite the shortage, a king or queen in the short suit, are largely wasted; honours in the other suits count in full.
There is one alternative to showing shortage. With a minimum opening and a very good second five-card suit, opener may jump to four of that suit instead, offering it as a second trump suit. The jump must stay below four of the agreed major. So it can arise only when spades are agreed (over 1♠, a jump to 4♣, 4♦ or 4♥ is still below 4♠); with hearts agreed there is no room for it.
With no shortage to show, opener instead pins down strength, and the rule is: the quieter the rebid, the stronger the hand.
With opener’s shape and strength known, responder either signs off in game with no slam interest, or presses on, usually by control-bidding toward slam, and then Roman Keycard Blackwood to check keycards. Because shortness and strength are already on the table, those slam decisions are better informed. See Control-Showing Cue-Bids and Roman Keycard Blackwood 1430.
Jacoby 2NT is played only when the opponents do not overcall or double. After an overcall, 2NT reverts to a natural bid: a balanced invitation of about 10 to 12, which opener may pass. A cue at the cheapest level shows a limit raise or better, and a jump in their suit (1♥ – (1♠) – 3♠) shows the same hand as Jacoby 2NT, game force and four cards in opener’s suit. After a takeout double, the good raise is Jordan 2NT.
It is also a bid for a responder who has not already passed. A passed hand shows its raise another way, through Reverse Drury when that convention is on.
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