Jacoby 2NT

Main articles: Contract bridge, Bidding system, Bridge convention, and Glossary of contract bridge terms

Jacoby 2NT (Swedish: Stenberg 2NT) is a bridge convention in which a bid of 2NT over partner's opening bid of one heart (1♥) or one spade (1♠) shows a hand with both

  • opening strength or better - normally at least 12 HCP or a hand meeting the "Rule of 20" criteria, and
  • at least four-card support for opener's major suit.

The 2NT response is forcing to at least game in opener's major suit. If the partnership also plays splinter bids, the Jacoby 2NT response tends to deny the shape for a splinter (i.e., no singleton or void). However, it might be the best alternative as prelude to possible slam exploration with unbalanced support in a holding stronger than the agreed range for a splinter bid.