Fit Jumps Opener 18-19 Balanced 171220 Hand 1

Board 1 North Deals	♠ A K J 10 ♥ A K 5 ♦ Q 10 9 ♣ J 10 7
♠ 9 7 2 ♥ 2 ♦ K J 6 4 3 2 ♣ K Q 4	N W E S	♠ 8 6 5 ♥ J 10 9 7 6 ♦ 8 5 ♣ 9 8 5
18 9    1 12	♠ Q 4 3 ♥ Q 8 4 3 ♦ A 7 ♣ A 6 3 2

NS 5N; NS 5♠; S 4♥; S 5♣; N 3♥; N 4♣; NS 2♦; Par +460

	North	South
	1 ♣	2 ♦
	2 ♥	2 NT
	4 NT	Pass

4 NT by South

Lead: ♥ 2

Made 5 — NS +460

At first blush the idea of using quantitative raises to show 18-19 balanced over the fit jump seems unrefined. However as this set of sixteen hands will show in practice it works quite well. Moreover this is the case whether we have a short 1 ♣ opening or a natural 1 ♣ or 1 ♦ and also whether or not we have four card support for responder's major.

Recall that 2 ♦ is a transfer fit jump showing at least four hearts, at least four clubs and game forcing values. And that completing the transfer shows a hand with short clubs - either 4=3=3=3, 3=4=3=3, 4=4=3=2 or 4=4=2=3.

Responder's 2 NT is some minimum range - currently no slam interest opposite 12-14 so around 12-17.

Over that opener bids 4 NT to show the 18-19 balanced. Here with a very minimum hand responder has an easy pass.

Opener's other options over 2 NT are:

3 ♥ showing 18-19 with four hearts;
3 NT showing 12-14 without hearts;
4 ♥ showing 12-14 with four hearts.

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