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Tip No. 33

 

3NT Response to a Major Opener

An immediate response of 3NT to a major suit opening takes up a lot of bidding space, so it should be reserved to describe a particular hand pattern with a narrow range of HCP. I recommend that it be used to show a balanced hand with 13 to 15 HCP and 3 card support for Opener's major. Opener may choose to play in NT or return to 4 of his major. If Opener's suit is spades, a rebid of 4H over a direct 3NT bid is a probe for a 4-4 heart fit and can be passed by Responder. If Opener's suit is hearts, Responder would reply 1S with 4 spades rather than jump to 3NT.

To show a balanced hand with 13 to 15 HCP and a doubleton in Opener's major, I recommend bidding 1NT (forcing) followed by a jump to 3NT over any minimum rebid by Opener, including 2 of his major. In this case also, Opener is free to insist on game in his major. Likewise, if Opener's suit is hearts, Responder would reply 1S with 4 spades rather than bid 1NT.

This treatment caters to the reluctance to respond at the 2 level with less than a 5 card suit (not allowed if the suit is hearts, allowed but discouraged if the suit is a minor).



 

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