[rmunson1]

There is much commentary (and two schools of thought) about the sandwich NT. After the bidding has proceeded 1X - P - 1Y - 1NT, the NT bidder will either have classic NT values or a shapely takeout for the other 2 suits (partnership agreement, pick one understanding or the other). But, I have never seen discussion about the 'Sandwich 2NT'!?! That is, after the bidding proceeds 1X - P - 2X - 2NT, is it universal that this is a takeout for the two lowest unbid suits, or might this be played as natural, strong with stoppers in 'X'? It would be impossible for the auction 1X - P - 2Y - 2NT to be anything other than a takeout of the other two suits - no matter how light they open and how soft their requirements are for new suits at the 2 level, no hand could justify a 'serious 2NT.' Comments welcome. I have searched but never seen this sequence documented as definitely being 'unusual' vs. 'strong NT' or 'subject to partnership agreement' as the sandwich 1NT is.

[TylerE]

Playing it as strong makes NO sense at all unless the 2-level response was some sort of weak bid.

[FrancesHinden]

rmunson1, on Jul 21 2008, 11:29 PM, said:

That is, after the bidding proceeds 1X - P - 2X - 2NT, is it universal that this is a takeout for the two lowest unbid suits, or might this be played as natural, strong with stoppers in 'X'?

I play 1S P 2S 2NT as any two suits, not the two lowest.

[andy_h]

By a passed hand, for me it will be takeout of the two lowest unbid suits. By a non-passed hand, if it was 1X - p - 2X - with all the light openings and light responses going around in Australia (haven't seen many people play it as 8-10 constructive raise here) 2NT would be natural for me. After a 2/1, 2NT is definitely the other 2 suits (although there seems to be loads of bids to show a 2-suiter after a 2/1 by the opponents).

[Rossoneri]

Playing in as 2 places to play sounds like a good suggestion...