How common is Gambling 3NT these days?

[barmar]

Some simulations in dealer ...

You are dealt a gambling 3NT somewhere between 5 and 6 times every 10,000 deals, depending on your preferences.

But you're in 1st or 2nd seat only half of these times. And if you're in second seat, RHO will often open.

 

So the opportunity to use gambling 3NT probably only comes up about once in 10K hands.

 

In comparison, you get 25-27 HCP almost as often as a gambling 3NT, but you don't have to worry much about which seat you're in -- you'll usually be the one to open the bidding.

[pescetom]

So the opportunity to use gambling 3NT probably only comes up about once in 10K hands.

 

In comparison, you get 25-27 HCP almost as often as a gambling 3NT, but you don't have to worry much about which seat you're in -- you'll usually be the one to open the bidding.

 

I can show 25-27 HCP balanced quite easily with Kokish 2NT.

But I agree that gambling with a closed minor comes up so rarely that it is hardly worth dedicating 3NT to it and I regret making this choice.

There are plenty of other potential uses, such as 4m replacement or strong 5-5.

[barmar]

I can show 25-27 HCP balanced quite easily with Kokish 2NT.

But I agree that gambling with a closed minor comes up so rarely that it is hardly worth dedicating 3NT to it and I regret making this choice.

There are plenty of other potential uses, such as 4m replacement or strong 5-5.

I have one occasional partner who really thinks gambling 3NT is important. But he also has a habit of shading his requirements, so that he's able to use it more often (and similarly for 2-suiter bids like Michaels). It's super-annoying because it makes competing and sacrificing difficult if I can't count on him to have what his bids show.