JORDAN
TWO NO TRUMP

Since the official name, Two No Trump Response Over Opponent's Takeout Double, is too long, this convention has simply been called Jordan Two No Trump. It seems that bridge players attributed the creation to Mr. Robert Jordan, even though it was devised by Mr. Alan Truscott and described by him in The Bridge World magazine, issue November 1954. We would like to place credit where credit is due by mentioning this fact. That is why this convention is also known as the Truscott Two No Trump, and also as the Dormer Two No Trump.

A bidding example should show the meaning.

South	West	North	East
1	1	2 NT

The 2 No Trump bid by North is completely artificial. North may or may not have a stopper in the suit of the opponents. North may even be void in the suit of the opponent.

The 2 No Trump bid by North after the intervening bid shows a Limit Raise in the Heart suit of the opener. The interpretation of this bid is that a 2 No Trump bid by North shows normally, by partnership agreement, a 4-card support in Hearts, and a point range, including distribution, of 9 to 11 support points. Some partnerships will reduce the support length to a good 3-card suit. Whatever your choice, South will have sufficient information to make the correct decision.

In order to make the Jordan Two No Trump convention clearer to the bridge player, the following examples serve to demonstrate the strategy behind it. They should illustrate the effectiveness of the convention in connection with other bids. Distinguishing between the different bids after an overcall or a double is essential in understanding the mechanism of this convention. The meaning given to each of the different possible bids is important to remember and essential in the Partnership Agreement.

In the bidding example:

South	West	North	East
1	Double	Redouble

North would normally have 10 support points or more, but he would also normally have only a 3-card support in Hearts. However, the disadvantage would be that East now can enter the auction on the One Level, and once in the auction, it will be very difficult to prevent the opponents from exchanging vital information about their holdings.

In the bidding example:

South	West	North	East
1	Pass	3

Playing Limit Raises, it would be more advisable if North, having a 3-card support in Hearts, would jump to 3 Hearts, and this bid would show 10-12 support points. Not enough for game, but the bid makes it more difficult for East to arrive at a bid, and South has all the information he needs to make the right decision.

If North were to respond with 3 No Trump, this would signify at least a 3-card support in Hearts, and a point range, including distribution, of 12 to 15 support points.

In the bidding example:

South	West	North	East
1	Double	3

If the bridge player were to adopt the Jordan Two No Trump convention, then the above example would show a Preemptive Raise, a 4-card length in Hearts, and less than 9 Support Points.

North would have something like:

	76
	KJ86
	J9874
	87

The use of the Preemptive Raise in accordance with the Jordan Two No Trump Convention makes it more difficult for the opponents to compete, and that is essential in the auction. North and South, per their partnership agreement, will not bid too high, but make it very difficult for the opponents to enter the auction, and if doubled, the penalty will not be that great.

For clarification purposes, we would like to present a summary.

Opener	LHO	Responder	shows
1	Pass	2	6-9 Support Points At least 3-card support
1	Double 1 2 2	2	6-9 Support Points At least 3-card support
1	Double 1 2 2	2 NT	10-12 Support Points and 4-card support in Hearts
1	Double 1 2 2	3 NT	12-15 Support Points and 4-card support in Hearts
1	Double 1 2 2	3	Less than 9 Support Points and 4-card support in Hearts. Preemptive Raise

x Some Partnerships have extended this convention to include the Minor Suits. Beware, however, that some partnerships, if the opening is in a Minor suit, have reversed the significance of the 2 No Trump bid and the Jump Raise. x

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.