Why play in 3NT when you have a minor suit fit?

To understand why you want to play in 3NT rather than 5 of a minor you have to first understand SCORING at matchpoints.

Click HERE to see the post on scoring at matchpoints.

If you play in 5 of a minor you have to take at least 11 tricks.

If you play in 3NT you only have to take 9 tricks.

So if you can take 10 tricks on the hand in 3NT you've just scored an overtrick! :)

In 5 of a minor you've just gone down. :(

If you take overtricks in 3NT they are worth 30 points each.

If you take overtricks in 5 of a minor they are only worth 20 points each.

So let's look at this table:

N/S Pair	E/W Pair	Contract	By	Result	N/S Score	E/W Score	N/S Matchpoints	E/W Matchpoints
1	1	3NT	N	+2	460
2	3	3NT	N	+1	430
3	5	3NT	N	+3	490
4	7	3NT	N	+1	430
5	9	3NT	N	+2	460
6	2	5♦	N	+1	420
7	4	3NT	S	+3	490
8	6	6♦	N	M	920
9	8	3NT	N	+2	460
10
11
12

Here we have our heros N/S Pair #6 playing in 5♦. They had a ♦ fit so they wanted to play in that suit but were too scared to go to the 6 level. However they did make an overtrick so they that thought that should be good for scoring.



They were wrong.

One pair bid (and made!) the 6♦ slam.

Everyone else bid 3NT and made at least one overtrick.

So remember at matchpoints it is ALL about how many other pairs you beat on your score.

For bidding 5♦ and taking 12 tricks N/S scored 420 points.

They were not vulnerable so they got 400 points for bidding (and making!) the game and 20 points for the overtrick.

For bidding (and making) 3NT everyone else got 400 points -- same as bidding and making 5♦. But what everyone else cashed in on were their overtricks. Each overtrick was worth 30 points.

The one pair that bid the slam got 400 points for bidding the game, 20 points for the overtrick and because they bid the small slam they got a 500 point BONUS. So they ended up with 920 points.

So putting in the matchpoints (which is all you really are concerned about at matchpoints) the pair that bid the slam beat everyone. There were 8 others playing so N/S Pair #8 picked up 8 matchpoints for the board. That's 100%!

N/S Pair #6 picked up 0 matchpoints for the board. That's 0%. They did not score more points than anyone. Not one single pair.

So let's look at this table completed with the matchpoints:

N/S Pair	E/W Pair	Contract	By	Result	N/S Score	E/W Score	N/S Matchpoints	E/W Matchpoints
1	1	3NT	N	+2	460		4
2	3	3NT	N	+1	430		1.5
3	5	3NT	N	+3	490		6.5
4	7	3NT	N	+1	430		1.5
5	9	3NT	N	+2	460		4
6	2	5♦	N	+1	420		0
7	4	3NT	S	+3	490		6.5
8	6	6♦	N	M	920		8
9	8	3NT	N	+2	460		4
10
11
12

So you can see the two pairs that were playing in 3NT and only made 1 overtrick still beat N/S Pair #6. So they get 1 point for beating N/S #6 and a half a point for tying each other.

So when playing matchpoints the moral of the story is to either be in 3NT OR 6 of the minor.

If you play in 5 of the minor you'll get a big fat zero.

Follow Up

Is this ALWAYS true? Can one NEVER play in 5 of a minor at matchpoints?

No. Sometimes you just can't play in 3NT. Sometimes you KNOW the opponents are going to lead a suit you don't have stopped. If you have shortness in that suit you can sometimes make a game but not a slam. That would be a reason to play in 5 of the minor.

Perhaps the Opponents bid up to 4 of a major. You can no longer play in 3NT. You don't think you'll get enough tricks by doubling them. Now you might want to play in 5 of the minor.

You want to play in 5 of the minor as a sacrifice.

But unless there is a GOOD reason to not play in 3NT -- choose to play in 3NT at matchpoints. It's well worth it.

Real Life Hand

Hi Heidi,

In the following hand, can NS get into the action and compete to get a contract in one of the minor suits?

East opens with 2♥.

All non-vulnerable, E is dealer:

	North ♠J4 ♥3 ♦T6432 ♣KQ965
West ♠AKQT52 ♥JT5 ♦85 ♣A8		East ♠9863 ♥AQ98642 ♦7 ♣7
	South ♠7 ♥K7 ♦AKQJ9 ♣JT432

East opens the bidding 2♥. Can South bid?

Heidi's Answer

First of all East has a SEVEN card suit. They should be opening at the THREE level if they are going to pre-empt.

However they didn't, so we will discuss what will happen over the 2♥ bid.

There are quite a few ways the bidding on this hand could go. Let's look at some of them.

First of all South could start with a 4NT bid. This is a variation of the Unusual 2NT bid which shows at least 5-5 in both minor suits. That is an option. Are they strong enough for this bid? Probably not.

South could also choose to bid 3♦. If North will not know what 4NT means OR South does not want to bid so high right away they should certainly bid 3♦.

If South makes either bid North should not let the Opponents play unless they are at the 6 level. They have too much offence and no defence. They should be bidding quickly to the 5 level and competing to the 6 level if forced. They are deliberately bidding more than they think they can make in order to stop the Opponents from bidding and making their game.

What does West do? They have options also.

West should bid 3♠ if they are allowed to. This is a forcing bid. West does not intend to play in ♠ because they have a nice ♥ fit but West wants Partner to know where their values lie in case the auction gets a little out of control. West knows that their side has the majors and the Opponents probably have the minors. The bidding could escalate quickly! Plus on the off chance East is on lead West wants a ♠ lead.

If West does not choose to bid 3♠ they should at least bid 4♥. Game should easily make.

If West bids 3♠ originally then East should be raising ♠. They have got four card support and a nice hand! However if their Partner bids ♥ then East should just "Pass". (This is why a thinking West would have bid 3♠ originally -- it helps Partner decide what to do.)

West is stuck if North does bid to the 6 level. West knows they probably won't take 12 tricks so will probably have to Double the Opponents but they won't be very happy with the result. This contract might even make on a bad day!

The Result?

On this hand North/South can take 10 tricks in either minor but East/West can take 11 tricks in either major. So it is good for North/South to compete to the 6 level. They should get Doubled and go down 2 but that is minus 300 versus minus 450 for letting the Opponents make 5 of a major.

That was probably a little confusing with all the ifs so let's go over the auctions depending on the approach taken.

Auction 1 -- South bids 4NT to show both minors:

If Partner thinks you are asking for Aces this is NOT a GOOD bid!

But even if Partner knows you have the minors I don't think South is strong enough for a leap to 4NT right away. Not when they can overcall their lovely suit at the 3 level. But some people might do it. West should certainly support East's suit since they cannot now show their own suit -- the bidding is too high! North knows they have a double fit in each minor and won't be sure just what is going on so they will bid one of the minors. West should Double just in case it is their hand but shouldn't be too surprised if this contract makes. West doesn't have too many minor suit tricks and their own Ace might not cash. Partner might not get a trick at all.

N	E	S	W
	2♥	4NT	5♥
6♣ or 6♦	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Pass

Auction 2 -- South bids 3♦ and West bids 3♠

Over 2♥ South should definitely bid 3♦. They've got a strong suit. West can bid 3♠ and support ♥ later on. West is expecting the Opponents to bid more ♦ so this bid might help Partner decide what to do in the bidding. North will leap to 5♦ to show a weak hand with lots of trump. That'll take up room in the Opponent's bidding. East with four ♠ and a SEVEN! card ♥ suit should be raising to 5♠. Will South bid 6♦? They might with little defence and a weak Partner. But if South does not bid 6♦ then North should for sure. They have no defence and a Partner who could not Double 5♠. Again it will be up to West who will just Double and hope this goes down.

N	E	S	W
	2♥	3♦	3♠
5♦	5♠	Pass	Pass
6♦	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Pass

Auction 3 -- South bids 3♦ and West bids 4♥

Over 2♥ South should definitely bid 3♦. They've got a strong suit. West is sure game will make and so they bid 4♥. North will bid 5♦ but now this bid might show values. East should "Pass" and leave things up to their partner. South will "Pass". West should now bid 5♥. They've got a good chance of making this if East has a good suit. North with no defence might just bid 6♦. Again it will be up to West who will just Double and hope this goes down.

N	E	S	W
	2♥	3♦	4♥
5♦	Pass	Pass	5♥
6♦	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Pass

Question: North is bidding quite a bit with very few values. Would they really do that in real life?

I don't know if they would. People do get scared of the 6 level. Note that I do NOT think North is thinking they are making this contract. But I do think that I would make this bid along with all my partner's. We do it as a SACRIFICE. Yes we are going down but we are hoping that we in going down we are giving the Opponents fewer points then we would have if we had let them play their contract. Heck, no one really knows what is going on and what will make and what will not. But North has ZERO defence and knows that they are not getting too many ♦ suit tricks. Maybe they will push the Opponents too high? Maybe this might only go down 1 or 2? Who knows.

Questions about bidding a new suit over a Pre-empt

I have a few questions from my latest games:

A) I opened with a preemptive bid. Partner bid a new suit. Is this bid forcing?
Go to Answer 1A

B) If it is, how should I bid? Do I raise partner's suit one level if I have support for my partner's suit (3+ cards?)? If I don't have support, do I bid NT or rebid my own long suit one level up?
Go to Answer 1B

C) If bidding a new suit is not forcing, how should my partner bid with a very good hand?
Go to Answer 1C

D) If my partner does not have a very good hand but prefers to play in a different suit than mine, how do they bid?
Go to Answer 1D

Heidi's Answer to 1A

Question 1A) I opened with a preemptive bid. Partner bid a new suit. Is this bid forcing?

Answer to 1A: In Standard American, a new suit by Responder after Partner makes a pre-emptive bid is FORCING. That means that Opener MUST bid again if Responder bids a new suit. Note that the pre-emptive bid could be at the two level or even the three level!

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

North MUST bid!

N	E	S	W
3♥	Pass	3♠	Pass
???

North MUST bid!

However...

You and your Partner can agree to play it non-forcing (totally up to you) but then you MUST ALERT the Opponents!

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

North can Pass BUT North must say "ALERT" as soon as South puts the 2♠ bid down on the table. If the Opponents ask North why they alerted, North should say "The 2♠ bid was non-forcing. I am allowed to Pass."

N	E	S	W
3♥	Pass	3♠	Pass
???

North can Pass BUT North must say "ALERT" as soon as South puts the 3♠ bid down on the table. If the Opponents ask North why they alerted, North should say "The 3♠ bid was non-forcing. I am allowed to Pass."

Right now most of us are playing online. Online you must self alert. So South, when they make the 2♠ bid (or 3♠ bid), needs to tell the Opponents that the bid is non-forcing. Note that this information does NOT go to their Partner. Their Partner is already supposed to know!

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Heidi's Answer to 1B

Question 1B: If a new suit is forcing, how should I bid? Do I raise partner's suit one level if I have support for my partner's suit (3+ cards?)? If I don't have support, do I bid NT or rebid my own long suit one level up?

Answer to 1B: You can do all the above!

You can raise Partner with three cards in their suit. You can even raise Partner if you have a doubleton honour in their suit if you don't have anything better to say! You can bid another four card suit. You can bid NT with a maximumish balanced hand. If you've got nothing else to say just rebid your suit.

Let's see some examples:

Example 1:
Take this hand which is North:
♠963
♥AQJ982
♦73
♣T2

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

On this hand you can raise Partner's ♠ suit because you have three card support.

Example 2:
Take this hand which is North:
♠K3
♥AQ8642
♦873
♣T2

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

With this hand I would probably just raise to 3♠ because I have a doubleton honour in my Partner's suit and Partner could easily have six ♠. Plus rebid options are not that good.

Example 3:
Take this hand which is North:
♠3
♥AJT982
♦K873
♣T2

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

With this hand I would bid 3♦ to suggest another place to play.

Example 4:
Take this hand which is North:
♠3
♥QJT982
♦QJ3
♣QJ2

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

With this hand I would probably bid 2NT to suggest both minors being stopped. I hate to do that with a singleton but I am maximum for my weak 2 bid and Partner did bid that ♠ suit.

Example 5:
Take this hand which is North:
♠83
♥KQT982
♦63
♣762

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

With this hand I would just rebid my suit. 3♥. I've got nothing else to show them.

Example 6:
Trickier one! Take this hand which is North:
♠3
♥KQT986
♦6432
♣T2

N	E	S	W
2♥	Pass	2♠	Pass
???

With this hand I would probably ignore my ♦ suit. That might encourage Partner to bid 3NT thinking I had the ♦ covered. I am very weak also. I think I'd just rebid 3♥ on this one.

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Heidi's Answer to 1C

Question 1C) If bidding a new suit is not forcing, how should my partner bid with a very good hand?

Answer to 1C: GOT ME!!! I play a new suit forcing. I have no idea what people do if they don't play it forcing and they have a good hand. Maybe they just leap to game. Who knows?

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Heidi's Answer to 1D

Question 1D) If my partner does not have a very good hand but prefers to play in a different suit than mine, how do they bid?

Answer to 1D: They don't. They "Pass" and let you play in yours.

Generally if you are weak and Partner is weak the Opponents step in and start to bid because they have the values. If you have no fit and no points this is a GOOD thing for you! But if you don't have values and you play a new suit as forcing you CANNOT bid. You just get into trouble most of the time.

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Question for Heidi

Hi Heidi,

Can one use Michael's with a strong hand?

If I have a strong hand with 5-5 Major-Minor distribution that fits the Michael's convention, should I still bid Michael's? Like this hand below:

All non-vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠2 ♥KQJ87 ♦A8 ♣AK742
West ♠AKQ9753 ♥A4 ♦Q53 ♣3		East ♠64 ♥53 ♦KJT932 ♣986
	South ♠JT8 ♥T962 ♦76 ♣QJT5

West opens the bidding 1♠. Can North bid 2♠?

Heidi's Answer

The Michaels convention is a direct cuebid of the Opponent's suit. It shows a distributional two suited hand.

So if my RHO opens 1 of a minor and I bid 2 of that same minor I am showing at least five cards in both majors.

If my RHO opens 1 of a major and I bid 2 of that same major I am showing at least five cards in the OTHER major along with a undisclosed minor suit holding of at least five cards.

What is the point count required to make this bid?

Totally dependent on partnership agreement. Some people will make this bid on not much at all as a kind of "preempt". Others think it should be more constructive. Some play something called "Mini-Max" that says they are either really weak or really strong. In any case you can definitely make this bid with a strong hand so Michaels is an option on this hand for sure.

Would I bid 2♠ on this hand?

Sure, I'm good with that as long as you are prepared to raise Partner's 3♥ response to 4♥ to show your big hand.

Partner could have nothing but if they have a fit and have one nice card for you the partnership should be able to make a game.

Now it all depends on whether or not West will let you play it there. You can bet they are going to bid at least 3♠. Will they bid 4♠? Unclear. But I wouldn't let you play in 4♥ with the West hand. Not when I am not vulnerable.

Hand 7 -- 1NT vs 1 Spade

This is chapter 7 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the seventh hand I generated:

	North ♠74 ♥J76 ♦762 ♣K8742
West ♠KQ9 ♥82 ♦QT843 ♣QJT		East ♠852 ♥AK953 ♦K95 ♣65
	South ♠AJT63 ♥QT4 ♦AJ ♣A93

Dealer is South and everyone is vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
2♥ makes by E/W
1NT can make by E/W
2♦ makes by E/W
1♠ makes by N/S
2♣ makes by N/S

Analysis

If South opens up 1NT, West will pass and North will pass. Will East come in?

If East does not come to then South will play in 1NT and go down.

If South opens 1♠, again West and North will pass. Will East come in?

If East does not come to then South will play in 1♠ and make.

What if East decides to come in?

What happens then?

If South has opened 1NT and East makes a bid to show a single suited hand then North will probably want to show their ♠ suit. I'm sure they will do that on the other hands (sometimes they need to!) so now they are going to because 2♠ will not make.

If South has opened 1♠ and East bids 2♥ then South no longer needs to show their ♠ suit. They should wait and see if North can raise. (North can't.)

So this one I think is better to open 1♠ because if East does not bid you are better off playing in ♠ and if East does bid you won't need to show your suit (and get too high!) because you already have shown it.

To see the table where all the hands are listed click HERE!