This Week in Bridge
(636) 3NT Rebids by Responder
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 6 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
3NT is our favorite contract. That makes bidding it a requirement as often as we can – we cannot play there unless one of us bids it. If we are going to bid 3NT in a variety of different situations, with a variety of different hands (to allow us to play there), then we need to have good agreements about what a 3NT bid shows. Responder is most likely to be the one bidding 3NT, so let’s discuss many of these possible bids.
Common 3NT Responses
Let’s start by looking at some common 3NT responses.
Example 1
When partner opens the bidding 1NT they limit their hand. So, a response of 3NT is to play. It is wide ranging in value because Opener’s hand is so limited.
Opener Responder
1NT 3NT
This 3NT bid shows 10 to a bad 16 points. Other 3NT responses are more limited in value. This is because in these auctions Opener’s hand is more wide ranging in value.
Example 2
Here is a common auction.
Opener Responder
1-minor 3NT
This 3NT response denies a 4-card Major and shows about 13-15 points. Depending on how aggressively partner opens the bidding, this bid could be made with an excellent 12 points. This 3NT response also generally denies having a 5-card suit.
Example 3
Here is another useful common auction.
Opener Responder
1-Major 3NT
This 3NT response to a 1-Major opening promises a very specific hand. This is about 13-15 HCP with 2-cards in partner’s suit, 3-cards in the other Major, and exactly 4-4 in the minors (2/3-4-4 shape). This perfectly describes the hand and lets Opener decide where to play the contract.
Common 3NT Responses in Competition
Most of these bids are the same in competition, just additionally promising a stopper in the opponent’s suit. If the opponents make a simple overcall, at a low level, then a jump to 3NT has this meaning.
But if the opponents make a bid that takes away even more of your bidding space.
Example 4
Opener Opponent Responder Opponent
1♦ 3♠ 3NT
Without interference, or even versus a 1♠ overcall, this 3NT responses would show a Spade stopper, no interest in a Heart fit, and about 13-15 points. But with a 3♠ overcall, we have less space to investigate slam. This 3NT bid could be made with a 4-card Heart suit – especially if there are four small cards in the suit. We also have little space to describe a stronger hand, so we may need to bid 3NT with even a bit stronger of a hand – like 16 or 17 HCPs.
Less Common 3NT Responses
As you have seen, most jumps to 3NT show just enough values to give game a try. But when we are in a game-forcing auction, then a “normal hand” can go slow. That makes a jump to 3NT show additional values.
Example 5
Let’s look at this jump to 3NT in a 2/1 GF auction.
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♦
2♠ 3NT
This 3NT bid shows a singleton Spade and extra values, about 15-17 points. This also shows a stopper in both the unbid suits, Hearts and Clubs. With a good 12 to 14 points, we would rebid 2NT.
Conclusion
3NT bids are a big part of every auction. It is important for us to be on the same page with partner about the meaning of these bids. Responder is often the player that makes a 3NT bid. So make sure that you and partner know when these 3NT bids have a very specific meaning and when they can be more wide ranging. It is also important to know when these 3NT bids are intended to end the auction (when partner’s hand is extremely limited in value) and when they are a description of your hand and leave things more up to partner (this is the case when partner’s hand is more wide ranging). Spend some time discussing these things with your regular partners. You’ll be amazed how much this will help you avoid costly misunderstandings.