Baron 2NT.

The 2NT response in the Basic Acol system shows 11-12 points and is a bid, which is rarely used. Even those players who do use it find that it is easy to do without it.

2NT can be used to good effect to show a much stronger hand.

Simple system bidders always respond to a one level-opening bid by “jumping” in the bidding if they have 16 or more points.

It is known that if both opener and responder have “flat” hands, then a slam in unlikely even with 32 HCPs between the hands. However if one of the hands, or both, have a 5 card suit or better, then a slam is often makeable with fewer points.

This is where the 2NT response comes into it’s own in a convention called The Baron 2NT.

If partner opens with one of a suit, and you have 16+ points and a hand with no 5-card suit, you should bid 2NT. If your hand contains a 5-card suit you should jump respond in the bidding.

The opener’s rebid, now that you are in a game-forcing situation just shows other four card suits in ascending order. A bid above the barrier does not show extra values as it would opposite a one level response.

Example.

1C – P – 2NT – P

3D – P – 3H – P

3S – P - 4S - P

P P

This is a sequence that might occur when the hands are: -

XXXX XXXX

X XXXX

XXXX OPPOSITE XX

XXXX XXX

12HCps 16+ HCps

Opener Responder

If opener were better than minimum, (17+) then this would be the time to ask for Aces to see if a Slam is likely.

However

XXXX XXXXX

X XXXX

XXXX OPPOSITE X

XXXX XXX

The bidding would proceed

1C - P - 2S - P

3 S P now dependent on your slam bidding sophistication, you could bid 4H to show 5/4 or you could cue bid an Ace, or you could use Blackwood etc.

Remember Anne says

Jump in a 5 card (or longer) suit

Bid 2NT if you have no suit longer than 4 cards. (then bid four card suits in ascending order to find your best suit fit, or no trump contract)

EAJ 11/27/05