Bids Over 1NT

Playing matchpoints. Neither side is vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠643
♥AK7
♦974
♣J875

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. You play that as 15 to 17 HCP. The Opponents are silent during the auction. What is your call?

Show Answer

I know with 8 High Card Points you are supposed to invite. However 2NT is really just inviting Partner to game if they have their maximum (17 HCP) and asking them to "Pass" if they are minimum.

The suggested values are 8 or 9 HCP.

But other things are involved here. Partner needs NINE tricks to make 3NT. You have two for them. Do you really think they have seven tricks in their hand?

Probably not.

With no source of tricks for Partner you need a VERY nice hand from Partner to make game. (A good source of tricks would be a five card suit.)

Generally if you are VERY balanced (4-3-3-3 in each of the suits) you need more total values to make a game (27 or 28 HCP rather than 25 or 26 HCP) since you have no source of tricks.

A good idea to remember is with 4-3-3-3 hands, subtract one point for how balanced they are. So your 8 HCP now becomes 7. So even if Partner is maximum you will not make a game most of the time.

Even with a 4-3-3-3 10 HCP hand I would recommend inviting rather than just bidding 3NT. 10 HCP minus 1 because of how balanced the hand is only comes up to 9 points. With 9 points you invite game.

Change the hand slightly to:
♠643
♥A72
♦97
♣KJ875

and I would invite for sure. Partner might be able to set up the ♣ suit for four or five winners.