The meaning of a 3NT opening bid will depend on partnership agreement. Most partnerships agree that a 3NT opening bid shows a balanced hand with 24 to 25 high-card points. Some players believe, however, that the opportunity to open 3NT is too infrequent, and they choose to utilize the 3NT opening bid to show a long solid minor suit with no outside entries. This is a weak bid, and is referred to as gambling. Here's an example:
xx ~~~ Jxx ~~~ x ~~~ AKQxxxx
The first thing you notice about this hand is beautiful club holding!! At first glance you think, "Wow! What a nice hand!" But if you analyze it, it is really a weak hand, and only valuable if played in clubs. To open this hand 1C would be deceiving to partner in that it does not contain 13 high card points that partner is expecting you to have with an opening bid. So, you frown, and pass. Unless you play 3NT Gambling!!
Opening 3NT Gambling says, "Partner, I have a lllooonnnggg solid MINOR suit (never major). I don't have any entries outside my long minor suit. If you have a stopper in all the other suits, and can get the lead before the opponents can set us, I can take 7 tricks in my minor suit!! Do you think we can play 3NT?"
It will now be partner's decision as to whether or not they believe they have the stoppers in the other three suits to allow you to run your long minor suit before the opponents take more than 4 tricks. It is a gamble sometimes, but pays off more times than not. If partner does not have a stronger enough hand to allow the 3NT bid to stand, he must bid 4 clubs and allow you to play in your minor suit. You can pass the 4C bid if that is your suit, or bid 4 diamonds.
The Bidding Box
| |
|
Hey Hey Hey
A great page!!!