{"id":20585,"date":"2026-05-18T01:06:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/?post_type=publication&p=20585"},"modified":"2026-05-18T01:07:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:07:50","slug":"exact-no-trump","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/publication\/exact-no-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Exact No-Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"

In most bidding systems, the strength of a no-trump opening is very exact. Usually, 15-17 High-Card Points (HCP).<\/p>\n

But, the length of a no-trump opening is very vague. Usually, described as “flat”. Often, five-card suits and unstopped doubletons are allowed. This can lead to problems later in the auction.<\/p>\n

The Exact No-Trump<\/em> opening solves this problem by promising exactly a Square hand.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Square Hand<\/h2>\n

A Square hand has a 4333 distribution.<\/p>\n

A Square hand is the “flattest” possible hand. It is easy to find a no-trump fit.<\/p>\n

A Square hand can support any five-card suit, and one four-card suit. It is easy to find an eight-card suit fit.<\/p>\n

A Square hand has only one unknown. Which suit has four cards?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Opening an Exact No-Trump<\/em><\/h2>\n

1N <\/strong>promises 15-17 HCP, and a Square hand.
2N <\/strong>promises 18-20 HCP, and a Square hand.
3N <\/strong>promises 21-23 HCP, and a Square hand.<\/p>\n

Any Square hand between 15 and 23 HCP can aways be opened in No-Trump!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Responding to an Exact No-Trump<\/em><\/h2>\n

Since Exact No-Trump<\/em> is so exact, responder can take charge of the auction, and easily find the best contract.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Finding a 5:3+ Major Fit<\/h2>\n

When responder holds a five-card or better Major suit, a 5:3 or better fit is guaranteed!<\/p>\n

Responder can make opener the declarer using a Jacoby Transfer. Then, responder can set the contract to the right level with a raise.<\/p>\n

Since the fit is guaranteed, responder can also pass rather than raise. So after an Exact No-Trump<\/em>, its called an Exact Jacoby<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Bidding an Exact Jacoby<\/em><\/h2>\n

min<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> promises 5+ Goren, 5+ Hearts, and asks partner to bid Hearts.<\/p>\n

min<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> promises 5+ Goren, 5+ Spades, and asks partner to bid Spades.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Examples of Finding a 5:3+ Major Fit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Raise<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 3\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 3\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – 4\u2660<\/span><\/strong> Raise<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

3N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Finding a No-Trump Fit<\/h2>\n

When responder holds no 5-card Major, he should look for a no-trump fit.<\/p>\n

When responder holds a Square hand, a no-trump fit is guaranteed! Responder can set the contract to the right level with a raise.<\/p>\n

When responder holds a doubleton, he needs to see if opener’s one 4-card suit covers his doubleton. It’s like using Stayman, except instead of asking only for 4-card Majors, it is asking for exactly the one 4-card suit. This is called an Exact Stayman<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Bidding an Exact Stayman<\/em><\/h2>\n

min\u2663<\/span><\/strong> promises 7+ HCP, and asks partner to bid his 4-card suit.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Responding to an Exact Stayman<\/em><\/h2>\n

min<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> promises 4 Diamonds.<\/p>\n

min<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> promises 4 Hearts.<\/p>\n

min\u2660<\/span><\/strong> promises 4 Spades.<\/p>\n

minN<\/strong> promises 4 Clubs, because min\u2663<\/span><\/strong> would take the auction up another level.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Examples of Finding a No-Trump Fit<\/h3>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2N <\/strong>Raise <\/em>– P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3N <\/strong>Raise<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Exact Stayman<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Four Diamonds<\/em> – 3N <\/strong>Maximum No-Trump<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Stayman<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Four Hearts<\/em> – 3N <\/strong>Maximum No-Trump<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Stayman<\/em> – 3\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Four-Spades<\/em> – 3N <\/strong>Maximum No-Trump<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Stayman<\/em> – 3N <\/strong>Four Clubs<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Finding a 4:4 Major Fit<\/h2>\n

When responder holds no 5-card Major, is not Square, and holds a 4-card Major(s), he should look for a 4:4 Major fit.<\/p>\n

He can use Exact Stayman<\/em> to see if opener’s one 4-card Major supports one of his 4-card Major(s).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Bidding an Exact Stayman<\/h2>\n

min\u2663<\/span><\/strong> promises 5+ Goren, and asks partner to bid his 4-card suit.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Examples of Finding a 4:4 Major Fit<\/h3>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Exact Stayman<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Four Diamonds<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Exact Stayman<\/em> – 2<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Four Diamonds<\/em> –5<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Raise <\/em>– P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Exact Stayman<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Four Hearts <\/em>– P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

3N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Stayman<\/em> – 4\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Four Spades<\/em>– P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

3N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Stayman<\/em> – 4N <\/strong>Four-Clubs<\/em>– 5<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Maximum Clubs<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Finding a 5:3+ Minor Fit<\/h2>\n

When responder holds no 5-card Major, is not Square, holds no 4-card Major(s), and holds a 5-card or better Minor, he should look for a 5:3 or better Minor fit.<\/p>\n

Responder can make opener the declarer using an Exact Jacoby<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Bidding an Exact Jacoby<\/em><\/h2>\n

min\u2660<\/span><\/strong> promises 8+ Goren, 5+ Clubs, and asks partner to bid Clubs.<\/p>\n

jmp<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> promises 8+ Goren, 5+ Diamonds, and asks partner to bid Diamonds.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n

Examples of Finding a 5:3+ Minor Fit<\/h3>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 2\u2660<\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – 5<\/strong>\u2663<\/span> <\/strong><\/span> Raise<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 3<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – 5<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Raise<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n

3N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> – 4<\/strong>\u2660<\/span> <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Exact Jacoby<\/em> – 5<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Transfer<\/em> – P <\/strong>Pass<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Auction Phases<\/h2>\n

The auction goes through phases.<\/p>\n

The meaning of a bid depends on the phase the auction.<\/p>\n

\n

Examples of What 3\u2660<\/span> Means<\/h3>\n

At the beginning of an auction, your 3S bid is preemptive, promising long length but not opening strength.<\/p>\n

After partner’s 1S opening, your jump to 3S is limiting, promising support but not enough strength for game.<\/p>\n

After partner’s 2S opening, your 3S bid is invitational, inviting partner to bid game with 10+ points.<\/p>\n

After partner’s opening of 1 of another suit, your 3S bid is a jump shift, promising 5+ Spades and 16+ points.<\/p>\n

After your 1S opening with no opportunity to bid 2S, your 3S bid is a rebid, promising 6+ Spades.<\/p>\n

After your 1S opening and 2S rebid, your 3S bid is a re-rebid, promising 7+ Spades.<\/p>\n

Etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

An auction starts in the OPEN <\/em>phase.<\/p>\n

\n

OPEN<\/em><\/h3>\n

3N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> promises 21-23 HCP, and a Square hand; next phase is TAKE CHARGE<\/em>
2N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> promises 18-20 HCP, and a Square hand; next phase is TAKE CHARGE<\/em>
1N <\/strong>Exact No-Trump<\/em> promises 5-17 HCP, and a Square hand; next phase is TAKE CHARGE<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After an Exact No-Trump<\/em> the next phase is TAKE CHARGE<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n

TAKE CHARGE<\/em><\/h3>\n

anyN<\/strong> Exact Raise<\/em> promises <\/strong>no-trump fit; asks partner<\/strong> to pass.
jmp<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Exact Jacoby<\/em> promises <\/strong>8+ Goren, and 5+ Diamonds; asks partner<\/strong> to bid Diamonds; next phase<\/strong> is EXACT TRANSFER<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2660<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Exact Jacoby<\/em> promises <\/strong>8+ Goren, and 5+ Clubs; asks partner<\/strong> to bid Clubs; next phase<\/strong> is EXACT TRANSFER<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Exact Jacoby<\/em> promises <\/strong>5+ Goren, and 5+ Spades; asks partner<\/strong> to bid Spades; next phase<\/strong> is EXACT TRANSFER<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Exact Jacoby<\/em> promises <\/strong>5+ Goren, and 5+ Hearts; asks partner<\/strong> to bid Hearts; next phase<\/strong> is EXACT TRANSFER<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2663<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Exact Stayman<\/em> promises <\/strong>5+ Goren; asks partner<\/strong> to bid his 4-card suit; next phase<\/strong> is EXACT SUIT<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After an Exact Stayman<\/em> the next phase is EXACT SUIT<\/em>.<\/p>\n

After asking partner to bid his 4-card suit, a minimum no-trump reply will be startling! It will remind you that it must mean Clubs!<\/p>\n

\n

EXACT SUIT<\/em><\/h3>\n

minN<\/strong> Four-Card Suit<\/em> promises <\/strong>4 Clubs; next phase<\/strong> is GENERAL. <\/em>[Startling!]
min<\/strong>\u2660<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Four-Card Suit<\/em> promises <\/strong>4 Spades; next phase<\/strong> is GENERAL<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2665<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Four-Card Suit<\/em> promises <\/strong>4 Hearts; next phase<\/strong> is GENERAL<\/em>.
min<\/strong>\u2666<\/span><\/strong> <\/span> Four-Card Suit<\/em> promises <\/strong>4 Diamonds; next phase<\/strong> is GENERAL<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After an Exact Jacoby<\/em> the next phase is EXACT TRANSFER<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n

EXACT TRANSFER<\/em><\/h3>\n

next suit<\/strong> Exact Transfer<\/em> promises <\/strong>3-4 that suit; next phase<\/strong> is GENERAL<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In most bidding systems, the strength of a no-trump opening is very exact. Usually, 15-17 High-Card Points (HCP). But, the length of a no-trump opening…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[]},"categories":[],"tags":[],"language":[],"level":[450],"class_list":["post-20585","publication","type-publication","status-publish","hentry","level-all-levels"],"acf":[],"publication_lang":"en","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication\/20585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/publication"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2846"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20585"},{"taxonomy":"language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/language?post=20585"},{"taxonomy":"level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/level?post=20585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}