Responding to 1NT

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠T75
♥KQ4
♦A984
♣AK5

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. (You play 15-17 1NT opening bids.) Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

You have 16 HCP (High Card Points) and Partner has opened the bidding 1NT. Your correct bid is 4NT.

4NT is QUANTITATIVE. You are asking Partner whether or not they are MINIMUM (15) or MAXIMUM (17) for their bid.

This is all you need to know.

If Partner has 17 HCP you want to be in a small slam. Together the partnership has 33 HCP and that's all you need to make a small slam. (Well, for a good shot at making a small slam!)

However if Partner has 15 HCP you DON'T want to be in a small slam. Together the partnership will have only 31 HCP and that's not QUITE enough to make a small slam. If you had a longer suit maybe...but you don't.

Asking for Aces WON'T help here. The Partner ship could have all four Aces but be missing two Kings and a Queen/Jack combination! That's not good. (Bidding 4♣ over 1NT would be Gerber -- asking Partner how many Aces they have.)