Ugly 3NT Contracts

[pbleighton]

I'd like some guidance from the advanced/expert players on when to bid 3NT, versus leaving the contract in a minor suit part score.

 

I see two things:

 

1) Discussions of ways to show/ask for stoppers. The "scientific" approach.

2) At the table, the field seems to barge into 3NT with 24/25+ combined hcp when no major suit fit is found, with or without stoppers, unless it is VERY obvious that the contract belongs in a minor suit. I tend to barge right along, on the theory that an intermediate usually isn't smart enough to outbid the field.

 

How often are you "scientific" and how often do you barge are you, and what techniques do you prefer when you are scientific?

 

Peter

[keylime]

This is a pretty interesting question, and I think a lot of the answer stems from the approach used. If you're playing 2/1 GF, the system is geared for NT bidding and there's quite a few hands where 4/5 of a minor is a better contract. Playing Precision, the limited 2C opening allows competition in clubs, but in diamonds the only instance is 1D-2D (inverted). Scoring format matters obviously -- playing MPs it's normally losing bridge to get into 5 of a minor but at IMPs five of a minor is more rewarded.

 

In unopposed bidding, I in KLP use Exclusion, over the micro NT and over 1D-2D-2X-2NT. Basically a bid at the three level DENIES control of that suit and helps partner decide whether 3NT is a bad proposition. Over the limited 2C opening I use the excellent Cohen-Berkowitz system of responses, which shows where the assets lie.

 

When the auction is competitive, there's Western Cuebids which are highly popular, and a lesser known treatment called California Cuebids, which show a half stopper normally at the two level.

 

I wish to quote a reading I perused recently: "Bridge is a game of suits ." Especially at IMP scoring, this quote has served me quite well. NT should not be entered into unless it is plainly obvious that it is the best contract to declare. All too often I see 3NT entered only to go down because both players "felt" that with opening count opposite opening count, that was the place to get to for "field protection".

[mishovnbg]

Hi Peter ;)

I specially looking about famous sequence 1NT-3NT in bidding of some experts. My statistics is they lose more often, than win! Only in not vul against vul, gains are more than loses. So best way is to play variable 1NT:

Weak(11-14) or mini(10-12) in not vul against vul from 1 and 2 position only. Need to say such opening is good only on IMP. Playing at MP tourney against field is not good idea.

Strong (14-16) from 1 and 2 position. Same limit is need for you can open with 11 hcp and rebid 1NT with 11-13

Strong (15-17) from 3 and 4 position, for you still can receive 3NT raise from passed partner.

 

My opinion is you must not open 1NT with any nat balanced hand any limit. Better to open it with 1CL or 1DI. With same opening you can never play 1NT for -3 instead of 2HE/SP for +1. Investigate of slams is much more easy too, because low level of bidding. It is no chance more than half of conventions in any natural system is after 1NT opening and almost any pair play different structure, trying to invent "perpetuum mobille". It is just impossible to bid normally after 1NT natural, because it take too much bidding space and stiil show nothing about majors and stoppers for example.

1NT is better to use for strong artifical opening (ROMEX). Unlike 2CL you can open it with strong 3 suiters or 5+minor-4 major, because you have famous 2D ask for 4 major over 2CL negative. Lack of beloved weak 1NT opening you can compensate with more famous 2CL/2DI Ekrens for example ;D

 

Misho

[Cave_Draco]

"There are NO ugly 3NT contracts" :-D.

 

The scoring system is important but not crucial... You cannot afford to miss 3NT in any scoring system!

 

Count the scores...

3NT - tick = 400/600

4m - tick = 130

3NT-1? -50/-100

 

Inverted Minors are useful for selecting between 3/4m & 3NT.

[inquiry]

I'd like some guidance from the advanced/expert players on when to bid 3NT, versus leaving the contract in a minor suit part score.

 

I see two things:

 

1) Discussions of ways to show/ask for stoppers. The "scientific" approach.

2) At the table, the field seems to barge into 3NT with 24/25+ combined hcp when no major suit fit is found, with or without stoppers, unless it is VERY obvious that the contract belongs in a minor suit. I tend to barge right along, on the theory that an intermediate usually isn't smart enough to outbid the field.

 

How often are you "scientific" and how often do you barge are you, and what techniques do you prefer when you are scientific?

 

For barging into 3NT.... well, if the opponents haven't entered the bidding, science is often too helpful to them. So with 24/25 points and no major fit, I tend to barge right ahead, ESPECIALLY at imps. 3NT versus 4C is a no brainer when one compares the risk versus rewards. At MP, you want at least 50% chance to make the game however.

 

As for science, let's look at a few typical auctions where science may play a role..... Here is on I screwed up in the swat the moscito match. (opponent's silent)....

 

1NT 2S (transfer to club)

2NT 3M (2NT = super accept)

 

Here 3M (either) should be weak holding in this major and stab at 3NT. Same if opener bids 3C instead of super accept.

 

Here is another one to discuss with your partner.

 

1D - 1H

2C - 2S (2S = 4th suit force, quasi game force)

3D - 3N/3S

 

What does 3N show, and what does 3S show? Your partner DENIED a spade stopper when he rebid 3D. Does 3S ask for a partial stopper (Jx or Qx)? Or is it a cue-bid slam try or a real second suit. I play it ask for partial stopper.

 

This last example gets us to "western-cue" and "california cue bid". The way I learned western cue-bids is that they asked for a partial stopper. Logic being if you need a full stopper you could always bid something else below 3NT. If partner has a full stopper he usually finds the right bid. This allows you to right side the contract with Ax in your hand in case your partner has Qx(x). I think this is what

Dwayne referred to as california cue bid. I do know that a lot of people play western cue for full stopper. You may gain greater flexibility using it without a partial stop, but I have had great sucess using it to ask for partial (or of course) full stopper.

 

Then, of course, there is the lebehnsol bids... these include such things as....immediate jump to 3NT,transfer then 3NT, immediate cue-bid, transfer then cue-bid, to differentiate between hands with and without a stopper.

 

But all in all, ESPECIALLY at imps, and REALLY ESPECIALLY at imps vul, with no major fit and 24-25 points, aim your sites for 3NT (of course, I fully approve of 4-3 major fits where the weak side suit is held doubleton in the hand with 3 trumps, and your trumps are fairly strong).

 

ben