So partner opens 1M (so one of a major suit 5+)….and assuming no intervening bids you now bid 2NT which is Jacoby 2NT. This is a game forcing bid showing 4 card Major support and a good 12 points plus.

Here is a video of me bidding sample Jacoby 2NT hands.

Here is the Jacoby 2NT convention in video format

Just to let you know that some people play different versions of this (see below for nuances)

The responses are:-

  • 3♣ – A hand with singleton/void in clubs – then a cue bid of 4♣ would show a void.
  • 3♦ – A hand with singleton/void in diamonds – then a cue bid of 4♦ would show a void.
  • 3♥ – A hand with singleton/void in hearts – then a cue bid of 4♥ would show a void OR 16+ points if 1♥ was the opening bid.
  • 3♠ – A non-minimum hand with singleton/void in spades – then a cue bid of 4♠ would show a void OR 16+ points if 1♠ was the opening bid.
  • 3NT – Better than minimum hand balanced (14-15 points)
  • 4♣ – A good 5 card suit (2 out of 3 top keycards)
  • 4♦ – A good 5 card suit (2 out of 3 top keycards)
  • 4♥ – A good 5 card suit if 1♠ was the opening bid or a minimum hand if 1♥ was the opening bid
  • 4♠ – A good 5 card suit if 1♥ was the opening bid or a minimum hand if 1♠ was the opening bid. This will show 65 shape in the majors.

One thing you should notice straight away is if you have two 5 card suit then you must have a singleton or void in one of the other two suits…so there must be a priority for these bids:

Priority of Openers Response
  • Bid a 5 card suit (as long as it has 2 out of top 3 honours)
  • Bid a singleton or void
  • Bid 3NT (shows a good 14-15 points)
  • Jump to 4 of a major to show weak (12-13 points)
  • Bid 3 of the major to show 16+

Obviously the last 3 are of equal priority…the point is shape showing bids are most important.

Alternative Versions
  • Some people use the suit bid to show extra length in the trump suit rather than 16+ points.
  • Bidding a second suit with only 4 cards in it rather than 5
  • Bidding a second suit without needing 2 of the top 3…but maybe decent suit such as AJ9xx
  • Playing Swedish Jacoby

Suppose partner gives a positive response then all bids after are considered cue bids or 4NT would be RKCB. It’s possible to play 3NT as ace asking or frivolous/serious 3NT…but when you’ve agreed a 8/9 card fit in a Major….it usually makes sense to play in 4 of the Major therefore you can use the 3NT as non-natural.

For a different version why not check out Swedish Jacoby.