The Unusual 2NT

East opens 1♠ and South jumps to 2NT. Played as natural, that overcall would need a balanced 20-count, a hand that hardly ever turns up. A two-suited hand with both minors turns up all the time, and it is hard to show, because an overcall in one minor may be the last bid you get to make. The unusual 2NT convention in bridge gives the jump to 2NT a better job. It shows the two lowest unbid suits, at least five-five, and asks partner to choose.

A jump overcall of 2NT over a one-level suit opening is artificial. It shows five or more cards in each of the two lowest-ranking unbid suits. Over a major opening that means both minors, which is how the bid is used most of the time.

Shape is the firm part, five-five or longer in the two suits shown. Strength works in two tiers, as with the Michaels cue bid.

• Weak: roughly 6 to 11 points, with the honors in the two long suits. The aim is to compete for the part score or find a cheap sacrifice.
• Strong: roughly 17 points or more. Bid 2NT, then bid again over partner's preference to show the extra strength.
• In between: with 12 to 16 points, most players overcall in one suit and bid the other later. Partnerships that play the unusual 2NT at any strength should say so.

Vulnerability matters more than with most overcalls. The bid gives declarer a blueprint of your hand whenever the opponents play the contract, so at unfavorable vulnerability it needs good suits. At favorable vulnerability, you can bid it on weaker suits.

Partner, the advancer, picks one of the two suits. The rules are the same as for any two-suited overcall.

1. 1.Simple preference shows no extras. Holding equal length in the minors, bid 3♣, the cheaper one.
2. 2.A jump to four of a minor is preemptive. It shows a four-card fit and is meant to raise the level before the opponents find their fit.
3. 3.Game in a minor is to play, usually with a strong fit and good shape.
4. 4.A cue bid of opener's suit shows invitational or better values and asks for more description. Over 1♠ - 2NT, many pairs use 3♠ to ask about a stopper or the strength of the 2NT bidder.
5. 5.3NT is natural. It shows stoppers in the majors and expects the minors to provide the tricks.

Advancer should never pass the 2NT bid. It is artificial and the partnership has no agreement to play there.

Sacrifice decisions like this are easier to judge with real numbers. Run the deal through the double dummy solver to see how many tricks each side takes, or deal 5-5 minor hands in the simulator.

• Bidding it with five-four. Partner will choose a suit expecting five cards and may sacrifice on that basis.
• Using it with a middling hand. A 14-point five-five is better shown by overcalling and bidding the other suit later.
• Ignoring vulnerability. Vulnerable against not, the unusual 2NT on bad suits can lead to an expensive penalty.
• Advancer jumping to show values. A jump to four of a minor is preemptive. To show a good hand, cue bid opener's suit.

Other unusual notrump bids

Any notrump bid that cannot sensibly be natural can be read as unusual. A passed hand who later bids 1NT over the opponents' opening, or a 4NT bid in a competitive auction when no slam is possible, usually shows two suits. Over a 1NT opening, a 2NT overcall for the minors belongs to a defense such as Cappelletti.

Unusual over unusual

When the opponents use the unusual 2NT against your opening, your side gains two cue bids. In the method called unusual over unusual, after 1♠ - (2NT), 3♣ (the lower cue bid) shows a limit raise or better in spades and 3♦ (the higher cue bid) shows a strong hand with hearts. A direct raise to 3♠ is competitive only, and a double shows interest in penalizing at least one minor. The same structure works over a Michaels cue bid, and a takeout double remains the tool for three-suited hands.

What does an unusual 2NT overcall mean?

A jump overcall of 2NT shows at least five-five in the two lowest unbid suits. Over a major opening, that is both minors. The bid is artificial and asks partner to choose one of the two suits.

What is the point range for the unusual 2NT?

Most partnerships play it as weak, roughly 6 to 11 points, or strong, about 17 or more. With an intermediate hand, overcall and bid the second suit later.

What does the unusual 2NT show over a minor opening?

The two lowest unbid suits. Over 1♣ it shows diamonds and hearts, and over 1♦ it shows clubs and hearts.

What should partner bid with equal length in the minors?

Bid 3♣, the cheaper suit. The 2NT bidder may hold longer diamonds and can correct.

How do Michaels and the unusual 2NT fit together?

They split the five-five two-suiters between them. Over a major opening, 2NT shows both minors and the Michaels cue bid shows the other major and a minor. Over a minor opening, the cue bid shows both majors and 2NT shows the other minor and hearts. Together they cover most five-five hands over a one-level opening.