I tell my less experienced students that, after opening 1 NT, you should mentally go to the bar and buy the drinks (evening classes) or to the kitchen and boil the kettle (day classes). Only return when the bidding is over. The point I am stressing is that, having opened 1 NT, you have described your hand very accurately and can leave further bidding to partner.

Exercise: You open 1 NT and partner bids 2 ♥, a weakness take-out. What do you bid now with these?

Answer: Pass with all three.

Think of partner as holding six hearts and no points (yes, she might have five hearts and yes, she might have up to 10 points). Facing six hearts and a ‘bust’, you do not want even to countenance bidding.

What if the bidding went 1 NT-(P)-2 ♥-(2 ♠)-? Although you are now losing the auction to right-hand opponent’s 2 ♠, you should still remain silent (although a 3 ♥ bid with (iii) would be acceptable).

What must be borne in mind is that partner has another bid. If he really has the bust, he will be relieved to pass; but if he has a few values, say seven or eight points, he can repeat a six-card heart suit or introduce a second suit with a five-five shape.

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