More On NT Bidding

These comments on NT bidding apply to MATCH POINTS only. At IMPs or rubber bridge different odds apply for bidding games. Openings and overcalls are more conservative.

With a balanced minimum hand of say 12-14 hcp you must open with 1 of a suit and rebid 1NT. This puts you right back in the 25+ hcp determination to bid game. For NT games, raise to game with 13 hcp and PASS, yes PASS with 11hcp. Raise to 2NT with 12 hcp to invite game. Opener bids 3NT with 13-14 and passes with a dog.(12 hcp) Some maintain you can rebid 1NT with 11-14 with good effect, since you have the invitational 2NT raise to invite 3NT. The problem with opening with balanced 11 hcp hands is that it will often turn into a minus score. The opponents can overcall easily and can push you to a high level. Further if they push on to higher contracts your partner will be tempted to double expecting a better hand. I suggest sticking to 12 hcp with balanced hands, but venturing bids with weaker hands that are unbalanced, with points in the long suits. In any case you should hold 2 defensive tricks to open in any position.

With a stronger balanced hand say, 15-18 open 1NT as previously stated. With 19-20 hcp open 1 of a suit and jump rebid to 2NT over a suit response. Over a 1NT response jump to game(3NT) with 19-20hcp. Pard should have 6 hcp or more for his response and game should be safe. The question is always asked, "Is the 2NT jump rebid forcing?" Yes it is, thats why I play the 15-18 NT so my jumps to 2NT have some authority. The only reason to shade a response to a one level opening is having a long suit and 4-5 hcp. In these cases game is still a good shot and there are methods to sign off at the 3 level if desired.

One other bid in this sequence is the jump rebid to 3NT after 1 of a suit and a one level response. say, 1c p 1h p, 3NT ap. The 3NT rebid shows likely 9 tricks with a long solid minor suit. It also shows a singleton or void in pards suit. The 3NT bid says pass if holding a sure stopper in the suit and remove to the minor suit otherwise.

There are numerous rebids and responses to openings to be considered. I will start covering them in my next blog. I always appreciate your comments.

Happy Bridging, SPADEWOOD