Mid Competitive

Balancing in direct seat (OBAR BIDS)

Not conventional

1H/S - DBL - 2H/S

Not conventional

1H/S - Pass/DBL - 3H/S

Not conventional

Opponents' Weak Jump Over-call at level 2

2NT: Lebensohl - relay to 3C. If followed by 3NT it shows semi stopper.
Cuebid: Asking for stopper
3NT: To play
New suit at level 2: 3+ cards, 0+ points
New suit at level 3: 4+ suit, 9+ points (2NT otherwise)
DBL: Negative

Opponents' artificial over-call with a fully specified 2-suiter

Pass followed by DBL: business
DBL: Either limit with 4 cards in 4th suit OR any 11+
Raise: Competitive
New suit: Natural, competitive
Lower cue-bid: fit in opener's suit, limit+
Higher cue-bid: 5+ cards in the 4^th suit, limit+

Opponents' artificial over-call with a partly specified 2-suiter

Pass followed by DBL: Business
Raise: Competitive
New suit: Natural, competitive
Cue-bid: 4+ fit, limit+
Jump cue-bid or double shift in a suit that may be opponent’s: Splinter
2NT: Stoppers, limit
3NT: To play
DBL: Negative

Good/Bad 2NT

Definition: In a competitive auction, when RHO makes any two-level call, our 2 NT bid is not natural. It shows a desire to compete to the three level, and requests that the partner bid three clubs, after which the 2 NT bidder shows his suit.

By inference, all direct bids at level 3 are stronger. This scheme allows for a competitive bid at level 3 (by bidding 2NT first) without the fear of being punished by a partner who thinks that we are showing extra values.

The partner of the Good/Bad 2NT bidder usually bids 3C. He should hence make some other bid to show either suit preference or an unexpectedly long strong suit or enough extra strength to force the bidding higher.

The 2NT bidder has the option to compete further after having limited the hand. This might occur with extra length, especially in a minor, or after partner has shown a preference that improves the hand.

In a close decision, it often is right to make the direct suit bid to show the suit pattern of the hand. This goes well with a style of aggressively inviting. It also anticipates a tendency of opponents to frequently bid directly over the competing 2NT call, preventing the 2NT bidder from clarifying the hand.

On the flip side, it can be right to compete with a very marginal hand and hope that LHO will be enticed to take the immediate push.
Some examples of when 2NT is not good/bad:

1.	When two notrump would clearly be Unusual.
2.	When either side has opened one notrump.
3.	When the opponents have opened with a big club.
4.	When the opponents make a penalty double.
5.	When we have already found a fit.
6.	When we are already in a game forcing auction.