This Week in Bridge
(635) 3NT Rebids by Opener
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 6 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
One of the most common misunderstandings about Opener’s hand concerns rebidding 3NT. What does it show? As we would expect, the answer is different in different situations. It is key for us to make the right interpretation of partner’s bid and to make sure we don’t make false assumptions. These kinds of bidding mixups can lead to playing the wrong game or missing an “easy’ slam. Let’s look at some auctions and make sure we have good agreements with partner.
Opener’s 3NT Rebids When Responder has NOT Shown a Good Hand
When Opener has a balanced hand, they show it by:
Rebid 1NT 12-14 points
Open 1NT 15-17 points
Rebid 2NT 18-19 points
Open 2NT 20-21 points (some good 19s)
Open 2♣ 22+ points
Notice that none of these bids involve bidding 3NT.
So, what does a 3NT rebid by Opener show after Responder bids at the 1-level?
Example 1
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
3NT
This shows a long, strong ♣ suit (usually a solid suit, like a Gambling 3NT suit) with some outside values – usually an outside Ace or King as well as the solid suit.
Opening 1m and jumping to 3NT shows tricks! Usually, a 7+card solid minor suit with one outside A/K:
Mistake to avoid: Many players get excited when they have a balanced 19-count and partner responds to their opening bid. ‘Surely there’s game here,’ they think, so they bid 3NT. The proper rebid to describe this hand is 2NT – showing a balanced hand too strong to open 1NT and not strong enough to open 2NT. The 3NT rebid shows a very different hand type: a decent hand with a solid suit. With balanced hands, we need to describe our shape and strength to partner. We don’t worry that we might miss a game; if we rebid 2NT and partner passes, it’s probably the right choice.
What if Opener starts with auction with 1-Major and rebids 3NT after Responder bid at the 1-level?
Example 2
Opener Responder
1♥ 1NT
3NT
This is less likely to be a 7-card solid Major, as with that many cards we are more likely to play in 4-Major (even with a solid suit). This 3NT bid is more likely to be a solid 6-card Major with 18-20 HCP.
♠ A5
♥ AKQJ64
♦ QJ3
♣ K4
Opener’s 3NT Rebids When Responder has Shown a Good Hand
When Responder shows a good hand, then our 3NT rebids show very different kind of hands. They are usually specific bids that show enough values to go to game in the given auction.
Example 3
Opener Responder
1♥ 2♦
3NT
♠ AQ5
♥ AQ832
♦ K
♣ JT43
With this hand we rebid 3NT, showing stoppers in the unbid suits and some extra values – usually 15-17 HCP. Since we did not open 1NT, then we are likely to have an unbalanced (or semi-balanced hand). This seems like a good description of the hand.
Another auction to be sure to discuss with partner is after an Inverted Minors bid.
Example 4
Opener Responder
1♦ 2♦*
3NT
A 2NT rebid in this auction would show a stopper in both of the Major suits, usually a balanced minimum opening hand (12-13 points), and be non-forcing. A 3NT rebid does NOT promise the big balanced hand, 18-19 points. Instead, we use this rebid to show a little extra values, enough to go to game, and stoppers in both Majors. That means a balanced 14 HCP hand with stoppers in both Majors is good enough to bid 3NT!
Conclusion
It is important to discuss what these 3NT rebids with your partner. In addition, we should discuss how any of these bidding sequences change in competition. For the examples we discussed here, a jump to 3NT in competition has a similar meaning, it just also contains a stopper in the opponent’s suit. Make sure that you discuss with your regular partners the meaning of these bids. It is important to play 3NT when it is right!