All the No-Trump Bids.

A balanced hand

A hand with no 5 card major, doesn’t have two doubletons, doesn’t have a singleton and doesn’t have a void.

When you have got a balanced hand – bid it like a balanced hand.

Most of the no-trump bids are LIMIT bids.

This means that they have a 3 point range and partner can pass them.

1NT opener

12 – 14 HCPs with a balanced hand.

1NT overcall in next seat

15 – 17 HCPs and at least one stop in opener’s suit. Partner can use Stayman and

transfers to determine a major suit fit.

1NT overcall in last seat (balancing or protecting)

Back to 12-14 or a little less (I play 10-13) Stoppers in opps suit are less important because you are only hoping for 7 tricks.

1NT response to an opening 1 suit bid.

Called the ‘dustbin bid’

This is the only natural (to play) NT bid which doesn’t promise a balanced hand.

6-9 HCPs and doesn’t promise a balanced hand.

It denies a biddable suit (4 cards) above the openers, and denies the 10 point ability to bid at the 2 level.

No-Trump rebids.

1NT = 15-16 HCPs

2NT = 17-18 HCPs

3NT = 19 HCP

2NT Opener = 20=22 HCPs

This should be balanced or semi balanced. It can have a 5 card major. It should not have a singleton or void.

It is safer to have a stop in every suit.

NT bids that may NOT be limit bids.

These are called ‘ Conventional NT bids’

3NT opening

In Acol this is called a ‘gambling’ 3NT. It promises a long solid minor suit with little outside.

Some play it as a balanced 16-18 HCPs in 3^rd or 4^th seat when others have passed. Discuss this with your partner.

4NT as a response to 1NT.

This may be a limit bid showing 16-18 HCPs or may be a conventional bid called the Blackwood convention and asks partner to tell you how many aces are held.

Discuss this with your partner.

4NT bid after a suit has been agreed.

This is always the Blackwood convention

Discuss this with your partner.

Using 5NT bid after using 4NT is the Blackwood convention asking partner how many kings are held.

Discuss this with your partner.

5NT bid without using 4NT is called a Grand Slam Force and asks partner to bid 7 of the agreed suit if holding 2 of the top 3 honours.

Discuss this with your partner.

Note.

There are other conventions which use NT bids. E.G. Roman Key Card Blackwood. Never assume when opps make a bid, that they are using that bid in the same way that you would. Partnerships agree which conventions they wish to use. These agreements if they vary from the simple Acol system must be disclosed to opponents on a convention card which must always be available on the bridge table.

To learn more about conventions go to www.bridgeguys.com