Time For: Jordan 2NT

Time For: Introducing bidding conventions that may not be familiar to local players, but are nearly universal in common usage such as the ACBL Standard American Yellow Card or ACBL Bridge Bulletin Standard. Whether or not you adopt the convention (I suggest that you do!), at the very least you should know enough about it to understand the opponents' usage.

After we open the bidding with one of a suit and our opponent makes a takeout double, it's important to raise aggressively with weak hands (and at least a 4-card fit) so that the fourth hand can't respond easily at the cheapest level. With a fit for opener's suit and a better hand, then, responder must therefore do something else to show a good hand. Using Jordan 2NT, a 2NT response shows a hand with a fit for opener's suit and at least invitational values: a "limit raise or better." Opener must bid again, guaranteeing that responder will have a chance for a rebid if she holds a strong hand.

For example, in an auction that starts 1 ♠ - (Double) - ?,

• 2 ♠ shows three spades and no more than 9 HCP
• 3 ♠ shows four spades and no more than 9 HCP
• 2 NT shows a spade fit and at least 10 HCP
• Redouble shows at least 10 HCP and denies a spade fit.

Since a minor-suit opening might only have four (or even three) cards, adjust the suit-length requirements as needed. After a minor-suit opening, responder can show a four-card major at the one-level but might choose to conceal a weak four-card major in favor of a preemptive minor suit raise.

The 2 NT call must be Alerted per ACBL regulations; if asked, the proper explanation is "artificial, showing a limit raise or better". Your convention card should be marked like this:

Okay, time for some example hands...
Partner opens 1 ♠ and your right-hand opponent doubles. Now what?

♠ K 8 7 ♥ 9 8 5 2 ♦ Q J 6 3 ♣ 10 8
Bid 2 ♠, showing three-card spade support and a minimum hand

♠ K Q 7 2 ♥ 9 5 ♦ J 9 6 3 ♣ 10 8 2
Bid 3 ♠, showing four-card support and a minimum hand

♠ K Q 7 ♥ A 8 5 2 ♦ Q 9 6 3 ♣ 10 8
Bid 2 NT, showing a limit raise or more in spades

♠ K Q 10 7 ♥ A 2 ♦ K Q 9 6 3 ♣ 10 8
Bid 2 NT, showing a limit raise or more in spades (in this case, more)

♠ 7 2 ♥ A J 2 ♦ Q 9 3 ♣ K Q 10 8 7
Redouble, showing at least 10 points and denying a spade fit

Opener's Rebids: 

• If partner raises your suit directly, bid your hand as appropriate. New suits are forcing for one round, and have the same meaning as in an uncontested auction.
• Thou shalt not Pass a 2NT response. Bid as if partner made a limit raise in your suit. With a minimum opener, simply rebid three of your suit. With extra values, any new suit rebid is game-forcing and has the same meaning as if you bid a new suit after a limit raise. Depending on your partnership agreements, that might be a natural suit or some sort of slam-try (help-suit or short-suit) or a control cue-bid. Simply bidding game in your suit indicates some extra values but no slam interest. Bidding 3 NT suggests a final contract and promises appropriate extra values; beware that responder has not shown a balanced hand.

Responder's Rebids

• If you raised to two or three, you've already bid your hand; don't bid again unless forced.
• If your 2 NT bid was a minimum limit raise, you have limited your hand; don't bid again unless forced. If opener bids a new suit, jumping to game in your suit ("fast arrival") shows the limited hand.
• If your 2 NT bid included game-forcing values, you'll need to pick up the reins accordingly. Partner will assume that you have only a limit raise until you show her otherwise. If partner bids a new suit, bidding your suit below game shows extra values ("slow arrival").

BONUS MOMENTS 

1. If you normally play 2NT as a game-forcing raise of a major suit (Jacoby 2NT), opener can use the same rebid structure provided that opener has extra values. With a minimum opening hand, just rebid three of the major. (Note: Don't play it this way without prior agreement, or a disaster may well ensue!)
2. If you play Bergen Raises after a major-suit opening, that same response structure works well after a double; 2NT can be used as the game-forcing raise.

Fun Fact: Alan Truscott is credited with inventing this convention. Particularly in the eastern United States, many players refer to it as "Truscott 2NT". The name Jordan comes from Robert Jordan who popularized the convention in the 1960s. In Europe it is commonly known as "Dormer 2NT" after Albert Dormer who popularized it on that side of the Atlantic.

-- Ray

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