| Introduction to NMF | Part 2 of 4 |
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Fred E. Ferguson Hilton Head Island, SC |
Systems On | |||||||||||||||||
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Opening notrump bids and rebids are natural when they show a balanced hand and a willingness to play in notrump.1
While it is possible to play natural bids in response to opening notrump bids and rebids, most bidding systems today from the basic Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC) to advanced bidding systems use conventional (system) bids in response to opening notrump bids and some notrump rebids. By using conventions the partnership is better able quantify the shape and size of responder’s hand (minimal, invitational, and forcing), as well as, right side the play of the hand.
Systems On: When playing these system bids in response to notrump bids, it is said that systems are on and when playing bids as natural responses it is said that systems are off.
Most bidding agreements are subject to different usage and interpretations. While use of the conventions (system bids) Stayman and Jacoby Transfers over notrump bidding sequences are fairly standard, some usage may vary. In application, it is imperative to discuss and have a partnership agreement on how you will play Systems On bids.
Notrump Bids: SAYC plays three opening notrump bids where each bid shows a balanced hand and a willingness to play in notrump. An opening bid of 1Nt shows 15 to 17 high card points (hcp); an opening bid of 2Nt shows 20 to 21 hcp; and an opening bid of 3Nt shows 25 to 27 hcp. In addition, most advanced bidding systems today including Advanced Standard American (Std. Am.) incorporate additional notrump ranges to cover all levels of notrump hands. After an opening bid, a rebid of 1Nt shows 12 to 14 hcp and a jump to 2Nt to show 18 to 19 hcp. To show a 22 to 24 hcp hand first open 2♣, as strong and forcing, and then rebid 2Nt. In addition to the points specified, each of these three additional notrump bidding sequences also shows a balanced hand and a willingness to play in notrump.
Responses to Notrump Bidding Sequences:
After Rebid of 1Nt (12-14 hcp): Systems Off Natural Bids and New Minor Forcing – Not covered. 3Nt is to play. 4♣ is Ace asking. (Gerber) 4Nt is natural and invites to 6Nt. (Quantitative)
After 1Nt (15-17 hcp): Systems On 2♣ is asking about 4-card major. (Stayman) 2♦ & 2♥ are transfers. (Jacoby) 2♠ is minor suit relay to 3♣. 3Nt is to play. 4♣ is Ace asking. (Gerber) 4Nt is natural and invites to 6Nt. (Quantitative)
After Jump to 2Nt (18-19 hcp): Systems Off Natural Bids and New Minor Forcing – Not covered. 3Nt is to play. 4♣ is Ace asking. (Gerber) 4Nt is natural and invites to 6Nt. (Quantitative)
After 2Nt (20-21 hcp): Systems On 3♣ is asking about 4-card major. (Stayman) 3♦ & 3♥ are transfers. (Jacoby) 3Nt is to play. 4♣ is Ace asking. (Gerber) 4Nt is natural and invites to 6Nt. (Quantitative)
After 2♣ and rebid 2Nt (22-24 hcp): Systems On Same as responses after 2Nt opening bid.
3Nt (or 2♣ and rebid 3Nt): Systems On 4♣ is asking about 4-card major. (Stayman) 4♦ & 4♥ are transfers. (Jacoby) 4Nt is natural and invites to 6Nt. (Quantitative) 5♣ is Ace asking. (Gerber)
Remember Bridge should be fun!
See American Contract Bridge League (“ACBL”): Standard Yellow Card System Booklet, a.k.a. Standard American Yellow Card ("SAYC") http://www.acbl.org/documentlibrary/play/sayc_book.pdf , April, 2003; Root: Commonsense Bidding (ISBN 0-517-56129-8); and Root & Pavlicek: Modern Bridge Conventions (ISBN 0‑517‑88429-1). Thanks to my friend and partner Marty Nathan for his help and review of this document. New Minor Forcing (NMF) 2 of 4 – Systems On
1 See Notrump Bidding Sequences (NMF 1 of 4). 2 The bid of 2♣ and rebid of 3Nt preserves the opening bid of 3Nt for conventional bids.
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| Fred E. Ferguson | fred@oneNT.com | 843.363.6416 | Hilton Head Island, SC | ||||||||||||||||||
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