Many bridge players don’t realize it, but the same responses apply to partner’s 2NT opening bid as apply to 1NT. You just need fewer points. Several hands from the Island Bridge Club game on June 16 are instructive. In each case, I’m giving the likely or advisable auction.

On board 14, West was dealing, with no one vulnerable:

NORTH
♠K 10 7
♥Q 8 4 3
♦7 3 2
♣6 5 4

WEST                           EAST
♠Q 8 4 3 2                   ♠9 5
♥ A 10 5                      ♥7 6 2
♦ K 6 4                        ♦Q 10 9
♣ 8 2                            ♣K J 10 7 3

SOUTH
♠A J 6
♥K J 9
♦A J 8 5
♣ A Q 9

Bidding proceeded as follows:

West          North          East          South
Pass           Pass            Pass          2NT•
Pass           3♣••          Pass          3♦•••
Pass           3NT           All Pass

• 20-21 HCP
•• Stayman convention asking if opener has a four-card major
••• No four-card major

Opening lead :♠3

If partner had opened 1NT, you’d have needed at least 8 points to bid Stayman. Responding to 2NT, you should have at least 5. In this case, with a flat 5-point South hand holding little chance for ruffs, I’d have skipped Stayman and gone right to 3NT. Four of seven North-South pairs bid and made 3NT.

On board 13, East was dealing, with both sides vulnerable:

NORTH
♠J 9 4
♥4 2
♦A 8 7 6 2
♣10 9 3

WEST                    EAST
♠K 6 5                 ♠10 8 7
♥K 8 3                ♥J 10 7 6 5
♦K J 10               ♦9 5
♣Q 6 5 2             ♣J 8 7

SOUTH
♠A Q 3 2
♥A Q 9
♦Q 4 3
♣ A K 4

Bidding proceeded as follows:

East         South        West         North
Pass         2NT          Pass          3NT
All Pass
Opening lead: ♣2

Since there’s no needed to investigate a minor-suit contract when NoTrump is available, North bid correctly. South needs to reach the board twice to take finesses. In addition to playing a diamond to the ace, it’s advisable to play a spade to the jack. Conceding a trick to the ♠ K may seem counter-intuitive, and only three of seven North-South pairs made 3NT.

The same systems apply when declarer opens the strong and artificial 2 ♣ to show 22+ HCP, then rebids 2NT to show 22-24 HCP. On Board Five, West was dealing, with East-West vulnerable:

NORTH
♠A K 7
♥9 8 3
♦J 3
♣Q 8 7 4 2

WEST                    EAST
♠10 8                   ♠9 6 5 4 3
♥Q 6 5 2              ♥J 7 4
♦ Q 10 6 4 2        ♦K 8 7
♣ 10 5                  ♣9 6

SOUTH
♠Q J 2
♥A K 10
♦A 9 5
♣A K J 3

Bidding proceeded as follows:

West         North         East         South
Pass          Pass           Pass         2♣
Pass          2♦•          Pass          2NT
Pass          4NT••       All Pass
• Waiting bid
• •Quantitative bid asking South to bid 6NT with more than 22 HCP

Opening lead:♠10

Knowing that North-South probably have 32 HCP, West doesn’t want to risk self-finessing with a lead away from either queen. Hence, the safer♠10.

Here’s how quantitative bids work. With no interest in a suit contract, responder needs to know whether to bid a NoTrump slam. Responding to 1NT, bid 4NT with 16-17 HCP. Your bid asks partner to bid 6NT with more than minimal values. Responding to a 2NT opener, bid 4NT with 11-12 HCP.

Responding to a 2NT rebid after a 2♣opener, bid 4NT with 9-10 HCP. In this case, with 10 HCP, North is almost strong enough to bid a slam. Fortunately, the quantitative bid gives South the chance to stop short of slam. A good thing, since 6NT should go down. Four of seven North-South pairs made a NoTrump contract short of slam.

P.S.: Some readers would add a point to the North hand with its fifth club. Fair enough, but I’d subtract a point for the doubleton ♦J.

July and August games at the Martha’s Vineyard Bridge Club will shift from the Old Stone Church to the Tisbury Council on Aging, 34 Pine Tree Road.