3NT or 4-4 major fit

[Mbodell]

Klinger in his book on Keri talks about 3nt being usually better if you are 4333 opposite 4333 (in the 4-4 fit) and if you are 4333 opposite 5332 (in the 5-3 fit) but that 4333 opposite 4432 is usually better in the 4-4 fit. In a couple of partnerships I play keri and thus can investigate what shape my partner is if I want, but I still sometimes skip the science on 4333 hands for fear of information leakage. But our NT shapes are 4333, 4432, 5332, 5m422, and some 6m322 so the odds of a good 4-4 fit when I have 4=3=3=3 or 3=4=3=3 aren't that great.

 

I do play 3M as game forcing asking for 4 card support in the unbid major in a couple of partnerships, but there I usually don't make that call with 4333 either, only with 4432 or 5m4M22.

[fred]

David Stern's letter appears on page 44 of the February 2010 issue of The Bridge World.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[ulven]

David Stern's letter appears on page 44 of the February 2010 issue of The Bridge World.

Was initially published in San Remo Open Europeans bulletins last summer.

[Mbodell]

And in fact if you look here (warning, PDF) you will see the 4 part article on the superiority of 3nt.

[chasetb]

Regarding the 4333 Stayman issue - a possible agreement is

to play a 3H / 3S response as showing 4333 , the 4 card the

other major.

 

This would ensure, that you play 3NT if partner is also 4333,

otherwise you play the major.This assumes of course, that you don't use 3H / 3S for something else.

This convention was posted in one of the ACBL Bridge Bulletins under the "Bidding Lab". Using Stayman with a 4=3=3=3, and the auction going 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠,

3♥ tells partner you have a 4=3=3=3 GF hand, and to decide on either 3NT or 4♠. With a 4=3=3=3 or a hand with values NOT in ♠, opener bids 3NT; otherwise bid 4♠.

 

If you are 3=4=3=3 and the auction goes 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥, 3♠ does the same thing.