Major Suit Inquiry

Allows 2NT Opener to have a 5 card major. Also allows Responder to find all fits with 5-4 in the majors (contra Puppet). With one exception, Responder shows a strong hand with a minor suit by bidding 3♣ and then the minor at the 4 level.

Responder bids 3♣ with one of four shapes:

One or two 3 card majors.
One or two 4 card majors.
4-3 in the majors
5-4 in the majors

With one or two 5 card majors, use Jacoby transfers. Responder's 5-3 in the majors cannot be handled; choose the lesser evil of a Jacoby transfer (showing 5-2) or 3♣ (showing 4-3).

In the discussion below, Responder Passes or signs off in a suitable game contract, but, of course, makes a different bid with slam interest.

Opener's Responses to 3♣:

3♦ALERT - shows <4 hearts and <5 spades.
- 3♥ALERT - Responder shows 4+ spades, asks Opener to clarify length.
  - 3♠ALERT - Opener has exactly 3 spades.
  - 3NT - Opener has exactly 2 spades.
  - 4♠ - Opener has 4 spades.
- 3♠ALERT - Responder shows 4 spades and 5 hearts.
3♥ - shows exactly 4 hearts. Responder's 3♠ shows 4 spades.
3♠ALERT - shows 5 spades.
3NTALERT - shows 5 hearts. Responder can retransfer:
- 4♦ALERT - relay to 4♥
- 4♥ALERT - shows a strong hand with diamonds

Responder's Plan by Shape

After Opener's 3NT Showing 5 Hearts

With 3 hearts, bid 4♦ transfer to 4♥. With only 3 spades, no fit, Pass.
With 4 hearts, bid 4♦ transfer to 4♥. With only 4 spades, no fit, Pass.
A heart fit is known to exist, bid 4♦ transfer to 4♥.
A heart fit is known to exist, bid 4♦ transfer to 4♥.

After Opener's 3♠ Showing 5 Spades

Basically identical logic to the 5 Hearts sequences above, except spades not hearts.

With 3 spades, bid 4♠. With only 3 hearts, no fit, Pass.
With 4 spades, bid 4♠. With only 4 hearts, no fit, Pass.
A spade fit is known to exist, bid 4♠.
A spade fit is known to exist, bid 4♠.

After Opener's 3♥ Showing 4 Hearts

Opener may or may not have 4 spades.

No fit; Bid 3NT.
With 4 hearts, bid 4♥. With only 4 spades, bid 3♠ to show them.
With 4 hearts+3 spades, bid 4♥. With 4 spades+3 hearts, bid 3♠ to show 4 spades.
A heart fit has been found, bid 4♥.

After 2NT-3♣-3♥-3♠, Responder has shown 4 spades and denied 4 hearts. Opener now raises to 4♠ with a spade fit, 3NT otherwise.

After Opener's 3♦ Denying 4 Hearts or 5 Spades

Opener may or may not have 4 spades.

No fit; Bid 3NT.
With 4 spades, bid 3♥ to ask for spade length. With just 4 hearts, no fit; bid 3NT.
With 4 spades+3 hearts, bid 3♥ to ask for spade length. With 4 hearts + 3 spades, no fit; bid 3NT.
- With 5 spades + 4 hearts, bid 3♥ to ask for spade length.
- With 5 hearts + 4 spades, bid 3♠ to show this exact shape.
- memory tip -- this is the same as Smolen

After 2NT-3♣-3♦-3♥ Asking for Opener's Spade Length

3♠ALERT - Opener shows exactly 3 spades. When Responder has the 5 spades + 4 hearts shape, raise to 4♠. With other shapes, Responder has only 4 spades so signs off in 3NT.
3NTALERT - Opener denies 3+ spades. Responder may pass.
4♠ - Opener shows exactly 4 spades. Responder may pass.