Just Bid 3NT: Recognize the Right Auctions

There are some features of a hand that may strongly suggest 3NT as the correct contract. These features include

1. Lots of Quacks (Queens and Jacks)

2. Points in the short suits 

3. Flat hands

Lets look at some examples. 

1. After partner opens 1NT, do you bid 2♣  stayman and look for a 4-4 spade fit?

Simply bidding 3NT is superior to looking for a spade fit. The spade suit is the weakest suit, and the hand is totally balanced 4333. With soft values in all the side suits (lots of Quacks), 3NT is the winner. 

2. What about this one?

This hand has a completely different flavour to the previous one. A small doubleton (no points in the doubleton), nicely textured hearts (QJ10x), and sharp side suit values (Aces and Kings), makes this hand a very stand out hand to bid stayman, or even puppet stayman, as this hand would likely do well in a 5-3 spade fit as well. Simply bidding 3NT would be a big mistake.

3. Is there a concept we can apply to this situation?

You decide to bid game, but do you have any options? In fact bidding 3NT instead of 4♠ is the correct approach. You are communcating to your partner that your hand is balanced, and you have substantial values in the side suits. Also your spade suit is not particularly great. It would be unsurprising to make the nine tricks you need for 3NT from the side suits, while your spade suit is your weakest point. 

Is partner forced to pass 3NT in this sequence? Certainly not, partner will decide what to do. For example, if partner has a highly distributional hand, they will bid on to 4♠ . While if their hand was 4333 or 4432, partner will probably be delighted to pass.

4. Lets move to another common situation. 

The seven card club suit is barely noticeable, the hand looks balanced and looks like it belongs in 3NT. The hand has all the points in the short side suits, while the long club suit is anaemic. 3NT looks like the clear bid.

5. changing the above example slightly, what do you bid here?

Bidding 3♥   looks like a great idea. It emphasises your quality club and heart suits which has lots of potential if partner has a useful hand. It also highlights that your diamonds are weak and short. Partner will know what to do, with strong diamonds (say AKJ) partner will happily bid 3NT, otherwise partner will know to avoid it (for example with Q10x). NB: it doesn't matter that you will not have a 4-4 heart fit, you bid 3♥ anyway  for the purpose of showing your hand thoroughly, highlighting where your points are, putting partner in a position to make a sensible decision. 

In summary

When your points are in your short suits, and your hand is balanced, consider 3NT rather than a suit contract. Lots of queens and jacks in the hand also suggests being in 3NT.

Where to next

• -> Next: After Partner Opens 1NT: Pass or Invite
• -> Related: Weak Stayman: Know When It Helps
• -> Back to Bidding Articles Hub