3-1 Majors over 1NT

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rod
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3-1 Majors over 1NT

Post by rod »

When partner opens 1NT and you have values for game, the normal approach is to look for an 8-card major suit fit, and failing that settle for 3NT.

However some hands beg for more care. A common case is 3-1 in the majors and 4-5 in the minors. Either major might have the singleton, and either minor the 5-card suit. When opener doesn't have much in your singleton suit it is very likely right to play game in a minor or in a 4-3 major fit. A slam might also be possible.

I wrote an article about this on the Bridge Winners site and got some great feedback. Expert Kit Woolsey in particular gave some advice that was simple and practical, which I paraphrase below:

1NT   3    game force, 3-1-5-4 or 3-1-4-5 pattern
      3♠    game force, 1-3-5-4 or 1-3-4-5 pattern

Follow-up bids are natural or common sense. Bidding 4 of a minor establishes trumps and allows some room for slam exploration (if you play Optional Minorwood then this is that). You can cue-bid the singleton to ask for partner's longer minor. You can bid partner's 3-card major to vote for a contract there.
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