Smolen

1NT – Smolen

Smolen is used after Partner has opened 1NT, and when we have a game-going hand with 5-4 in the majors. Smolen works in conjunction with Stayman and Jacoby Transfers. Consider this hand:

♠ A654

♥ KQT65

♦ T

♣ 843

The standard method for this hand is to use Stayman, and then, if Opener bids 2♦, we bid 3♥, showing a hand with game values, 4 Spades and 5 Hearts. Opener now chooses between 3NT and 4♥. This approach is workable, but suffers from the defect of making the 1NT opener (the stronger hand) the Dummy.

The Smolen convention switches those 3♥ and 3♠ bids around:

Opener Responder

♠ 87 ♠ A654

♥ AJ7 ♥ KQT65

♦ KJ975 ♦ T

♣ AQ5 ♣ 843

1NT 2♣

2♦ 3♠

4♥ Pass

Here the 3♠ bid was Smolen, showing 4-5 in the majors. Opener has 3 Hearts, so the 8-card major fit is known. Even so, Opener has a close choice between 3NT and 4♥ … just because we have an 8-card major fit doesn’t mean that we have to play it in the major. There’s something to be said for either contract, but the real point of the hand is that if Opener chooses 4♥, at least it will be played from the right side.

With the benefit of seeing both hands, it is apparent that 3NT is in some jeopardy on a Spade lead. And 4♥, played by Responder is also perilous, especially on a Club lead. But, 4♥, played by Opener, has all sorts of extra chances, and is by far the best bet. A triumph for the convention!

Smolen with 6-4 Hands

Yes, you can also use Smolen with 6-4 hands.

Opener Responder

♠ 87 ♠ AK9654

♥ A75 ♥ KT96

♦ KJ975 ♦ T

♣ AK5 ♣ 84

1NT 2♣

2♦ 3♥

3NT ??

Yes, Responder could have just charged to game in Spades (presumably via Texas), but why give up on the 4-4 Heart fit? So, he uses Stayman, gets the 2♦ response, and then wheels out Smolen. Over 3♥, Opener has a pretty obvious 3NT bid, back to Responder. Of course, he wants to get to 4♠, and the way to do that is to bid 4♥! No, it’s not a misprint, it’s just the way we get the No Trump bidder to play the hand.