I have a new most-asked question. It used to be: "Should I open 1NT with a 5-card major."

Now, because I seem to have been asked 1,000 times, the new "hot topic" has become an issue with 2/1 GF and responding in a major or minor.

The basic question goes like this: "Larry, I have opening-bid strength with a 4-card major. Do I respond in the major, or with a 2/1 GF response?"

For example, what is the response to 1 holding:

 K765  
 A2  
 K32  
 AJ106? 

Either 1 or 2 would be technically acceptable. I strongly prefer 2. You won't lose a 4-4 spade fit. Your side still has plenty of time to reach spades. Meanwhile, the auction is more comfortable. I will explain this a few paragraphs later.

BUT -- Don't invent bids. Don't respond in a "non-suit." With, say,

 AQJ6  
 K87  
 K762 
 Q3, 

respond 1 (you don't have enough clubs to bid 2).

Also, with a 5-card major, respond in the major. So, 1 is your response to 1 with:

 AJ876  
A65  
K32  
Q2. 

(2 would be a jump-shift, and has nothing to do with 2/1 GF. 2 is a bid you shouldn't make unless you and your partnership know what it means--most play it as weak.)

Also, if you don't have enough points to force to game, you mustn't respond with a 2/1 GF bid! So, respond 1 to 1 with:

 K2  
 QJ76  
 32  
 Q7654. 

Here is why I like starting with a 2/1 GF response when possible. Say opener holds:

 A2  
 54  
 QJ10986  
 KQ2.

Responder holds the hand mentioned earlier ( K765   A2   K32   AJ106).

You would belong in 5.  But, you belong in 3NT opposite, say:

 Q  
 QJ2  
 AQ10765  
 Q85.
Auctions go more smoothly if you are able to start with a 2/1 GF. Look at two of the hands above and observe how the auctions begin:

OPENER	RESPONDER
A2    54    QJ10986    KQ2	K765    A2    K32    AJ106
1	1 (not my recommendation)
2	?? now stuck --
or
1	2 (much better)
2	2
3	3
etc.

Notice how much more efficient the second auction was. Responder got to do "everything" without fear of being passed. In the first auction, where he responded 1, he never forced to game. His second bid is much tougher.

Summary:

• With GF strength and only 4 in the major, respond with a 2/1 GF in a minor (assuming you have 4+ cards in that minor). So, after 1 by partner, respond 2 with a 4=2=4=3 opening bid.
• With a 5+card major, always respond in the major.
• With less than GF strength, respond in the major (on the 1 level).
• All of the issues here involve a 1 or 1 opening. (If the opening is 1, there is no 2/1 GF bid available; if the opening is 1, there is no possible 1-level major-suit response.)

Notes (advanced):

• With 6-5 (a 5-card major and a 6-card minor) and GF strength, it is okay to start with 2/1 in the minor and then try to bid the major twice.
• There is an expert trend to start with 2/1 GF (typically 2) even without clubs. Just about all GF hands are starting with the 2/1 (artificially). But, I don't recommend this for my readers/students.

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