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.

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.