The
answer is highly dependent on the E-W agreement about the meaning of 2 clubs
and of 2 NT. Most experienced tournament players play 2 clubs as showing an
excellent raise, inviting game but not forcing to game. If that is the
agreement, then 2NT shows a hand slightly better than an absolute minimum,
maybe a nice 14 or 15. East could gamble that there will be 6 club tricks and
another 3 for 3NT, but the hand is really minimum. The actual pass is
reasonable, but 3 clubs, showing a minimum and a 6 card suit fits the hand
perfectly. This gives W a chance to correct the prior mistake and bid 3NT. West
should jump to 3NT over 2 clubs even if the original 2 clubs wasn’t a game
invitation.
This
hand highlights 2 important principles. First that partners should have
agreements clear to both about the meaning of very common bids. Second, that
having made a bid, if you get a chance to make a second bid, ask yourself if
you described your hand fully the first time. If yes, did partner make a
forcing bid? If partner didn’t force you, pass. If you are obliged to bid with
nothing beyond what you said’ make the cheapest non-committal bid, careful that
you don’t make a bid that partner will interpret as forcing or invitational.
Players who master the dance of inviting, forcing, declining, describing and
deciding, each when appropriate, can be considered solid A players. Many Life
Masters and beyond haven’t quite reached that level of the game. Don’t be
discouraged if you are still working on it.
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