Structure 7G76 Main

Three Notrump Opening

by Richard Pavlicek

In a Nutshell

I never liked the “gambling 3 NT” and I don’t like waiting for 25+ HCP, so I invented my own 3 NT opening. Essentially it’s an ace-asking bid (forcing) based on a strong one-suiter able to win at least 9 tricks. Suit is usually a major because 3 NT is eliminated as a contract, but it could be a minor with extreme shape unsuitable for notrump.

The bid has no upper bounds. Many hands that would normally be opened 2 are better candidates for 3 NT, especially with a major, provided opener has no doubt that his suit should be the final strain.

In Detail

An opening bid of 3 NT is forcing, showing any self-sufficient suit with 9+ playing tricks. If suit is a minor, shape is usually extreme since 3 NT is ruled out as a contract. Strength is typically 11-16 HCP but unlimited; many one-suiters usually opened 2 are better opened 3 NT.

3 NT Pass ?

4
4
4 4
4 NT •
•

• exactly 1 ace, F
no aces (assumed) or 2 aces, F
7+ cards (strong 6), at most 1 ace, NF
3 aces, F to slam

3 NT
? Pass 4 Pass

4
4 4
4 NT
5 5 •

•
strength ask (slam possible)
sign-off
asks which ace (responder bids it)
sign-off

3 NT
4 Pass
Pass 4
? Pass

4
4
4 NT
5 5 5 •
•
•
• nothing extra
something extra
much extra with A
much extra with that ace

Opener then places contract or bids 4 NT to ask which ace.

3 NT
? Pass 4 Pass

4 4
4 NT
5 5
•
real suit, NF
strength ask* (slam possible if aceless)
real suit, NF

*3 steps: nothing, something, much

If responder has 2 aces, he must continue by bidding a non-ace suit to pinpoint locations. Opener then signs off without control in that suit, bids slam, or uses the cheapest available other bid as a 3-step strength ask.

3 NT
? Pass 4 Pass
analogous for 4 response

4 NT
Suit
Blackwood (bid major key)
real suit, NF

Competitive agreements

3 NT Dbl ?

Pass*
Rdbl
Other

no ace, no likely tricks
1 ace + defensive strength
unchanged

*allows stopping in 4 or 4 if opener bids it

3 NT 4 ?
analogous for any overcall

Pass*
Dbl
Cheapest suit
Other suit
Cheapest NT
5 NT jump

nondescript
trump stack, penalty
1 ace
natural, NF
2 aces, F
3 aces, F

*Opener must always compete at 4 level but may elect not to risk 5 level.

Structure 7G76 Main Top Three Notrump Opening