Contract Bridge
Register
Advertisement

One notrump (1NT) is a bid in bridge which specifies a contract for the partnership to take 7 tricks without a trump suit. It's a partscore contract in duplicate bridge, but becomes a game contract when redoubled.

As an opening[]

Main article: /opening

As an opening, 1NT promises a balanced hand and a range of normally not more than 3 HCPs. It is a limit bid.

As a response[]

A response of 1NT to partner's one of a major opening limits the responder's hand to 6-9 points and denies holding any biddable four-card major. It does not promise a balanced hand after one of a major opening. However, in 2/1 game forcing, the range becomes 6-11 points and it is forcing for one round.

After a one of a minor opening, 1NT normally shows a balanced hand or semi-balanced hand. Depending on partnership agreement this may or may not deny 4-card suits biddable at the 1-level. A common treatment of the sequence 1 - 1NT is to show 8-10 point with an exact 3=3=3=4 shape showing 4 clubs, and bid the 4-card suit under all other circumstances.

As an overcall[]

A direct overcall of 1NT is usually 15-17 HCPs with a stopper in the opened suit.

A balancing overcall of 1NT shows a lower and wider range of balanced hands (usually 10-15 HCPs).

With a passed hand, a 1NT overcall is unusual, showing 5-5 in the lowest unbid suits.

In later bidding[]

  • The sequence 1X - 1Y - 1NT specifies a balanced hand with point range outside the 1NT opening. For example, it shows 12-14 HCPs if 1NT is 15-17 HCPs, and 15-17 HCPs if 1NT is 12-14 HCPs.
  • After a passed responder and a balancing overcall, such as 1X - (/) - / - (1Y) - 1NT, it shows 18-19 HCPs, and a stopper in the opponent's suit.
Bids

1-1-1-1-1NT
2-2-2-2-2NT
3-3-3-3-3NT
4-4-4-4-4NT
5-5-5-5-5NT
6-6-6-6-6NT
7-7-7-7-7NT

Advertisement