Kirkham/Bare/Savage No-trump

Bidding Structure Differences

To invite 3NT, bid 2NT (no gratuitous information given!)

To make an invitational bid showing six diamonds, bid 3D*

To make an invitational bid* or drop dead bid showing six clubs, bid 2S.

A. If you want to accept the invitational bid, respond 2NT.

B. Otherwise bid 3C. Partner will pass with either of the above.

To make an invitational bid with a four-card major and a six-card minor,

bid Stayman and if no fit is found, bid three of your minor (invitational).

Replacing minor suit Stayman (with game values or more) with 5-4 in the minors & 3-1 in the majors, bid 3H (shows a stiff heart) or 3S (shows a stiff spade). With 5-5 in the minors, transfer to 3C (bid 2S), then bid 3D.

With a 5-card (or longer) minor and a shorter major (usually 5-4) and game values or more, transfer to your minor, then bid your major.

Those are the basic differences. Here is the primary bidding structure:

2D = Transfer to hearts (Jacoby)

2H = Transfer to spades (Jacoby)

2S = Transfer to clubs (Then bidding a new suit: natural & game forcing).

2NT = Natural and invitational

3C = Transfer to diamonds (then bidding a new suit: natural and forcing).

With competition above 2C but at the 2-level, the structure at the 3-level is simple.

Bid one under your suit:

2NT = Transfer to clubs

3C = Transfer to diamonds

3D* = Transfer to hearts (with a maximum & a good fit, you can bid four).

3H* = Transfer to spades (with a max. and a good fit, you can bid four).

* If 2H/2S was available, transfering to the major at the 3-level: invitational or better

Transfering into the opponent’s suit is forcing Stayman.

Bidding a second suit creates a game force and your second suit should be

shorter than your first, especially if it’s a major.

There are more details in the 4-Suit Transfers write up but basically this is it.

Easy, no?

* It is my firm conviction that anytime I have an invitational hand with a long minor (6+) including the ace, I just bid 3NT and cross my toes. My 1NT-invite with three of a minor usually shows a poorish suit and asks for good fit.