Unusual Notrump

You hear your opponent open 1♠ and you’re looking at 5-5 in the minors. Pass and hope for another chance? Jump to 3♣ and lose the diamonds? That’s where Unusual Notrump comes in. Bid 2NT and show both suits at once.

What Is Unusual Notrump?

Unusual Notrump is a 2NT overcall that shows at least 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits. It’s not natural. Nobody jumps to 2NT with a balanced 20-count after an opponent opens. That bid would be pointless anyway since you can double first and bid notrump later.

Instead, 2NT tells partner: “I’ve got two specific suits, at least five cards in each, and I want you to pick one.”

Which Two Suits?

The “two lowest unbid suits” part trips people up at first, but there’s a pattern:

After 1♠ or 1♥ opening: 2NT shows both minors (clubs and diamonds). These are the two lowest unbid suits.

After 1♦ opening: 2NT shows clubs and hearts. Diamonds are taken, so you’re showing the next two lowest suits.

After 1♣ opening: 2NT shows diamonds and hearts. Clubs are taken, so the two lowest unbid suits are diamonds and hearts.

After a major-suit opening at the two-level or higher: Still shows both minors, since those are the two lowest unbid suits.

Here’s the key: if the opponents bid a minor, that minor is “taken” and you can’t show it. Your two suits are always the ones they haven’t bid yet.

When to Use Unusual Notrump

Minimum Requirements

You need:

At least 5-5 in your two suits (some play 5-4, but that’s asking for trouble)
Decent suits, not garbage
Enough strength to handle the level you’re forcing partner to

The strength part is where people mess this up. How many points do you need? It depends on vulnerability and whether you’re bidding at the two-level or three-level.

At favorable vulnerability (you’re not vulnerable, they are): You can get pretty light. Maybe just 6-7 HCP if your suits are good.

At unfavorable vulnerability: You better have something. At least 10-11 HCP, maybe more.

At the three-level: Add about a king. If 2NT forces partner to 3♣ or 3♦, you need enough to be safe at the three-level.

Example Hands for 2NT Over 1♠

Good favorable vulnerability hand:

<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> 4
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> 8 3
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> K Q J 9 5
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> Q J 10 8 6

Not many points, but excellent suits. Bid 2NT and let partner pick.

Minimum unfavorable vulnerability:

<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> 6
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> A 5
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> K Q 10 8 5
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> A J 9 7 4

12 HCP with good suits. Safe enough to bid 2NT even if vulnerable.

Too light even favorable:

<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> 7 4
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> 8 3
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> J 9 7 5 4
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> Q 10 8 6

Pass. Your suits are terrible and you have nothing. Don’t bid just because you have the shape.

Responding to Unusual Notrump

When partner bids 2NT, your job is simple: pick a suit. You know they have at least 5-5, so you’re guaranteed an eight-card fit minimum.

With No Interest in Game

Just bid your better minor at the cheapest level. If they’re equal length, pick the stronger one. If those are equal too, bid the higher-ranking suit.

After 1♠ - 2NT - Pass:

3♣ = I prefer clubs
3♦ = I prefer diamonds

You’re not showing anything about your hand strength here. With three small clubs and two small diamonds, bid 3♣. With the same shape but better diamonds, bid 3♦.

With Game Interest

You need about 10+ HCP to think about game. Jump one level:

After 1♠ - 2NT - Pass:

4♣ = I want to play 5♣, pick your better minor
4♦ = Same thing, slightly different method (partnership agreement needed)

Some partnerships use the jump differently. Work out your agreements, but the basic idea is that jumping shows extras.

Cue-Bidding the Opponent’s Suit

If you have a great hand and want partner to pick game or even slam, cue-bid their suit:

After 1♠ - 2NT - Pass - 3♠

This says: “Partner, I have a monster hand with support for both your suits. You pick which game or slam we should be in.” Maybe you have something like:

<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> void
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> A 7 4
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> K Q 10 6
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> A J 9 8 5 3

You’ve got 13 HCP, great fit for partner’s minors, and a void in their suit. Let partner pick the strain.

With Length in Their Suit

Sometimes you’re sitting there with five spades after partner bids Unusual Notrump over 1♠. This is awkward. Your hand is likely a misfit for partner’s suits.

Pass unless you have a clear preference and think you need to compete. If opponents double for penalty, that’s their problem. Sometimes passing is your best result.

After You Bid Unusual Notrump

Once you’ve shown your two-suiter, don’t bid again unless partner invites game or you have a freakish hand. Partner knows your shape. If they sign off at 3♣, respect it.

If partner jumps or cue-bids showing interest, then you can bid again. Show your better suit, or accept the game try if you have extras.

Common Mistakes

Bidding 2NT with Random Shapes

You need 5-5. Don’t bid 2NT with 6-4, 5-4, or “well, it’s close to 5-5.” Partner is counting on at least an eight-card fit. Give them what you promised.

Forgetting Vulnerability

New players love Unusual Notrump. It feels powerful to show both suits at once. But vulnerability matters. Getting doubled and going down 800 vulnerable when they can’t make game is a disaster.

At unfavorable vulnerability, upgrade your requirements. At favorable, you can push a bit.

Not Having Real Suits

5-5 in garbage isn’t a two-suiter. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Your suits should have some texture. At least a couple honors, preferably three.

Responder Bidding Their Own Suit

After 1♠ - 2NT - Pass, don’t bid 3♥ with six hearts. That’s not what you agreed to. Partner showed clubs and diamonds. Pick one of those. If you want to bid hearts, you needed to overcall 2♥ yourself on the previous round.

(Some advanced partnerships use responder’s new suit as a game try in an unusual way, but that’s a different agreement.)

Bidding 2NT with 6-5

When you’re 6-5, you usually want to show your six-card suit first. Bid 2♣ (or whatever your long suit is), then show the second suit later if you get a chance. Unusual Notrump works best with 5-5 or 5-5-2-1 shapes.

Mixing Up Which Suits You’re Showing

After 1♦, Unusual Notrump shows clubs and hearts, not the minors. After 1♣, it shows diamonds and hearts. Get this wrong and you’ll end up in the wrong suit, probably doubled.

Unusual Notrump in Action

Here’s a full auction:

West deals, North-South vulnerable

North:
<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> K Q J 9 7
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> A J 8
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> K 10
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> A 9 5

South:
<span style="color:#000000;">♠</span> 5
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♥</span> 7 4
<span style="color:#CC0000;">♦</span> A Q 9 7 6
<span style="color:#000000;">♣</span> K Q J 8 3

Auction:

West    North   East    South
1♠      Pass    Pass    2NT
Pass    3♦      Pass    Pass
Pass

South’s 2NT shows both minors. North picks diamonds with three-card support and decent diamonds. South respects the signoff. North-South make 3♦, maybe with an overtrick.

Without Unusual Notrump, South passes 1♠ and it goes round to North, who balances with a double. Now you’re guessing. Maybe you get to diamonds, maybe you end up in hearts, maybe you defend. Unusual Notrump gets you to the right spot immediately.

Advanced: When 2NT Is Natural

In some auctions, 2NT is still natural. The standard rule: if both opponents have bid, 2NT is natural, showing a strong notrump.

After 1♥ - Pass - 1♠ - 2NT, that’s natural, showing 19-20 HCP or so. They’ve bid two suits, so you can’t be showing two lower unbid suits (there’s only one unbid suit).

Different partnerships play this differently. Some use Unusual Notrump only in direct seat (immediately after their opening). Others use it in balancing seat too. Discuss with your partner.

The Bottom Line

Unusual Notrump is a workhorse convention. You’ll use it constantly in competitive auctions when you have the right shape. Just remember:

5-5 minimum, good suits
Mind the vulnerability
Responder picks a suit based on fit, not strength
Don’t bid again without a reason

Get comfortable with Unusual Notrump and you’ll steal auctions from opponents who thought they had a clear path to game. That’s worth learning.