[Knurdler]

If you agree to open NT with a singleton how do you play Jacoby transfers? or Texas transfers? Are there other system changes required?

I do not plan to ever open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton, I am just curious.

The reason I ask is today, when I transferred my partners 2NT to hearts, he was not at all happy because (contrary to how we have agreed) he opened with the Queen bare. And that made me think, if responder cannot rely on opener to have at least 2 cards in each suit, Stayman will still work but what happens to transfers?

[P_Marlowe]

Knurdler, on 2026-April-24, 11:41, said:

If you agree to open NT with a singleton how do you play Jacoby transfers? or Texas transfers? Are there other system changes required?

I do not plan to ever open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton, I am just curious.

The reason I ask is today, when I transferred my partners 2NT to hearts, he was not at all happy because (contrary to how we have agreed) he opened with the Queen bare. And that made me think, if responder cannot rely on opener to have at least 2 cards in each suit, Stayman will still work but what happens to transfers?

You agreed to never open NT with a singleton, your partner violated the agreemnent and was not happy that due to
violating the agreement, he ended up in a 5-1?

Anyway: It is quite common to make NT rebid with a singleton honor after a 2C opener, but this has usually no effect
on the response structure.

[pescetom]

I beg an administrator to move this topic out of N/B where it might do damage

[pescetom]

 Knurdler, on 2026-April-24, 11:41, said:

If you agree to open NT with a singleton how do you play Jacoby transfers? or Texas transfers? Are there other system changes required?

I do not plan to ever open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton, I am just curious.

The reason I ask is today, when I transferred my partners 2NT to hearts, he was not at all happy because (contrary to how we have agreed) he opened with the Queen bare. And that made me think, if responder cannot rely on opener to have at least 2 cards in each suit, Stayman will still work but what happens to transfers?

I have one partnership where we regularly open 1NT let alone 2NT with a singleton and at most 9 cards in 2 suits. It causes some problems and resolves some others, certainly not a disaster. It doesn't force you to change Stayman or Transfers (and watch out that in some misguided RAs it is legal to open with a singleton but not to have agreements that specifically cater to it). The test of your resolve is Jacoby Transfer, which as you found out will almost invariably be to the suit of your singleton Don't flinch, this was probably to your advantage if partner has a rebid. Even if not, 2M in the 5-1 is not always a disaster, even at MP. And if it is, sign it on the other side to the times where you reach a more accurate suit contract than others, having clearly expressed HCP and then found a fit with effective and robust agreements.

Do everything legally possible to disclose this agreement to opponents. Cashing in on surprise is not bridge.

[apollo1201]

 pescetom, on 2026-April-24, 12:18, said:

I beg an administrator to move this topic out of N/B where it might do damage

That was truly hilarious. Grazie per farmi finire il giorno cosi.

[mike777]

Opening No trump with a stiff King is certainly something we lower intermediate level players can consider adding to our repertoire.

[thepossum]

Knurdler, on 2026-April-24, 11:41, said:

If you agree to open NT with a singleton how do you play Jacoby transfers? or Texas transfers? Are there other system changes required?

I do not plan to ever open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton, I am just curious.

The reason I ask is today, when I transferred my partners 2NT to hearts, he was not at all happy because (contrary to how we have agreed) he opened with the Queen bare. And that made me think, if responder cannot rely on opener to have at least 2 cards in each suit, Stayman will still work but what happens to transfers?

You need a plan for when the transfer inevitably is into the singleton - so make it a good singleton - and if it is a good singleton there is no escape into NT again
I never used to do such terrible things until I started reading these forums
I do it with Aces and Kings sometimes
I honestly do not know what the plan is afterwards
At least with an Ace you stand some chance - and the King knocks out the Ace so still a little hope
Pre-emptive value versus risk - make sure it is on your card - some jurisdictions permit it don't they

[bluenikki]

mike777, on 2026-April-24, 15:26, said:

Opening No trump with a stiff King is certainly something we lower intermediate level players can consider adding to our repertoire.

Is a singleton king still counted as 3 hcp?

[mike777]

 bluenikki, on 2026-April-25, 07:12, said:

Is a singleton king still counted as 3 hcp?

I would, when deciding to open one or two no trump.
However some would not.
Experiment with it.

[thepossum]

bluenikki, on 2026-April-25, 07:12, said:

Is a singleton king still counted as 3 hcp?

I don't see why not. It still knocks out Aces. But there is not much other value in NT or if it is trumps

[bluenikki]

thepossum, on 2026-April-25, 15:13, said:

I don't see why not. It still knocks out Aces. But there is not much other value in NT or if it is trumps

Only if the defense doesn't hold up.