Friday, January 26, 2007 4:05 PM

Hand Evaluation - Serious 3NT ( Hearts )

PITBULLS:

The following is a quote from Fred Gittleman in his original article on the “serious 3NT”. “When hearts is agreed at the three level, opener must bid 3♠ when he has a control in spades. Any other bid would deny a spade control ( 3NT would be Serious with no spade control).” In effect , in this one situation you can be making a “serious slam try” by bidding 3♠. I suggest that in this one auction only ( hearts agreed ) , a serious 3NT bid by responder after the 3♠ bid have a specialized meaning. I feel 3NT in this auction should show very good hearts. Why ? because 3♠ is ambiguous as to strength. It could be just a courtesy or a strong hand. A strong hand because partner could have serious slam interest but she is just not allowed to bid 3NT as she has a spade control.

A serious 3NT is a Q bid which must follow the “up the line” principle of Q bids. NT is higher ranking than spades therefore as in all Q bidding theory , failure to Q bid in a lower ranking suit ( spades ) denies a control in that suit. Therefore , when hearts are agreed and partner Q bids 3♠ , care must be taken. Partner could have a serious slam try so not just bidding spades as a courtesy. When she retreats to the trump suit at the first opportunity , the 3♠ bid was probably a courtesy.

It is hard to grasp the concept that 3NT is just a Q bid as in standard American bidding. You need this bid or else you could not Q bid as a courtesy. There is no HCP standard for a serious 3NT Q bid. It is just a hand that is too strong for courtesy Q bid taking into consideration the bidding of both hands. Quoting Meckwell “If you fail to bid serious 3NT when you have the opportunity and cue-bid instead, that carries the following message: "Partner, I do not have serious slam interest, but I am cue-bidding in case you do." This understanding takes away the Standard American notion that you should Q bid with a good hand. When you have slam intentions , the serious 3NT Q bid is used instead.

My partner & I had a hand last night. ♠AKxxx ♥987x ♦QJ ♣AK . I opened 1♠ , partner bid 2♦ followed by 2♥ by me. Partner raised to 3♥. I would love to bid the “serious 3NT” signaling my slam intentions but I cannot as that would deny a spade control. So I bid 3♠ , partner has ♠Jx ♥AQJ10 ♦AKxxx ♣xx . I think the correct bid is a serious 3NT saying I have excellent trump. When you do not have excellent trump , just make a courtesy Q bid of 4♦ so partner may be clued into a trump problem.

In our system after a 2NT opening when you accept the transfer , it shows a major fit. This style leaves the door open for a serious 3NT bid & a spade Q bid by responder. Same rules apply as 3NT would deny a spade control but shows serious slam interest.

2NT-P-3♦-P

3♥-P-3NT serious slam try , no spade control

2NT-P-3♥-P

3♠-P-3NT-P

I suggest that in both these auctions , the serious 3NT should suggest good trump by responder. A direct Q bid could pin point weakness in trump. When you have both good trump & a Q bid , always bid 3NT first.

The “serious 3NT” Q bid is such an important Q bid in our auctions with a major fit now , I do not know how we bid slams before. I think slams were just a random stroke of good or bad luck before.