New Minor Forcing
(NMF)
The NMF convention is a important tool to search the Opener's
hand, like Check Back convention, after the follow sequence:
Opener Responder
1 minor 1 major
1nt the
other minor <= artificial bid searchd the hand (NMF)
We can consider this convention integrated in 2/1 system.
In general the use of NMF by Responder is the start of a
possibly Game Force (GF) auction.
To use NMF Responder
need at least an invitation hand
(10-11 hcp), otherwise Responder should:
a) pass in 1nt:
b) sign-off
auction rebidding his suit at level 2
(Opener with 3
cards support should not support Responder);
c) make an invitation in his 6
cards major jumping to level 3
(this means 10-11 hcp
and asking for 3 cards or honor second);
d) bids sign-off in partner's minor with
a simple raise;
e) make a invitation in partner's minor jumpinp to level 3;
f) jumping to game (3nt / 4major / 5 minor / 4nt ...)
Rule#1
NMF establish some priorities in Opener's third bid:
Opener Response
1 minor 1 major
1nt NMF asking for explain Opener's
hand
?
1- Opener bids at level 2 first his 4 cards major suit;
2- Opener support Responder's major with 3 cards;
3- Opener bids 2nt if have stopper in unbid suits;
4- Opener bids other minor suit to show 4-4 in minors;
5- Operner rebid his suit if not satisfies these priorities.
Note1:
NMF is off after any opponent interference
Opener Opponent Responder
Opponent explanation
1
pass 1
pass (1) penalty
double
1nt x(1) 2
<= 5+ cards sign-off - this is
not NMF
Note2:
NMF is off for passed hand (unless agreement was made)
Responder Opener
pass
1
1
1nt
2 <= 5+ cards sign-off (with 54 rebid Spades or pass)
Note3:
NMF here is not standard because here we priorize the
information of a top honor in Responder's
major.
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt
2 <= NMF
?
2 <= 3 cards support but no top
honor (Responder can pass)
2 <= 3 cards support with a top
honor (Hxx)
obs: 2 in standard nmf denies stopper in and denies support.
2nt
<= denies support in but shows spades's stopper
3 <= denies support in and stopper in - shows 4 cards
3 <= denies support
in and stopper in - shows 5 cards
Note4:
Responder
having no Hxx (jxxxx or worst) in his major, should avoid bid game in this suit, even with 13 hcp, because if Opener denies support with top honor he will lose 3 tricks in trump.
Let's Analyse in More Detail Some Sequences
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2
=> NMF
?
=>
2 minimum, support 3 cards without Hxx
(A/K/Q)
=> 2 minimum (12-13-
hcp),
support 3 cards with
Hxx
=>2nt 12–14 hcp, no support, stopper (A/K/QJx)
=> 3 12-14 hcp 5 cards, no support no stopper
=> 3 12-14 hcp 4-4, no support no Spades stopper
=> 3
maximum (13+–14 hcp), 3 with Hxx, no
control in
=> 3
maximum with Hxx and control for Spades
(A or K)
=>3nt 15 hcp and 5431 singleton ,
with 1,5 stopper in .
What is 1,5 stopper? = AJ9, KQx, KJ10
Opener Responder
1 1
1ST 2
=> NMF
?
=> 2 minimum (12-13-hcp)
with 4
cards,
may have support in
=>
2 minimum (12-13-hcp),
support 3 any cards in , no 4 cards
=>2nt 12–14 hcp - no support , stopper (A/K/QJx)
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 5 cards, no support for
no stopper
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 4-4 minors, no support no stopper
=> 3 maximum 4
cards - support for with top honor (A/K/Q)
=> 3
maximum
(13+–14 hcp), 3 cards with a top honor
=>3nt 14-15 hcp - possible 5431 singleton, with 1,5 stopper
Opener Responder
1 1
1ST 2
=>
NMF
?
=> 2 minimum (12-13-
hcp), no
support in
and no stopper in
=> 2 minimum (12-13- hcp),
3 cards without Hxx
=> 2 minimum (12-13-
hcp) with 3 cards
with a top honor in
=>2nt 12–14 hcp, no support in , but with stopper in
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 4-4
in minors, no support for no stopper in
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 5 cards, no
support in and no stopper in
=> 3 maximum
(13+–14 hcp), support Hxx - no control
=> 3 maximum
(13+–14 hcp), support with control for (A
or K)
=>3nt 14-15 hcp and possible 5431 singleton,
with 1,5 stopper
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
=>
NMF
?
=> 2
minimum
(12-13- hcp),
no support in and no stopper in
=> 2 minimum with 4 cards and can have support
for
=> 2 minimum any 3 cards in
=>2nt 12–14 hcp, no support for , with stopper in
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 4-4
in minors, no support for , no stopper in
=> 3 12-14 hcp - 5 cards, no support for and no stopper in
=> 3
maximum with 4 cards and support to
with Hxx
=> 3
maximum (13+–14 hcp)
and support to with Hxx
=>3nt 14-15 hcp and possible 5431 singleton,
with 1,5 stopper
SPECIAL SIGN-OFF IN 3
Opener Responder
1
1major
1nt 3 <= Q9xx xx KJ10xx x or 9x J10xx AK10xxx x
pass
Note5: Playing Walsh after 1 we bid first the major and so
after 1nt
we only can bid Diamonds sign-off at level 3 because 2 is nmf.
What is a Game Force (GF) and What is a
Invitation Game
INVITATION TO GAME
Opener:
Axx
A10xx KJ9x Jx
Responder: QJxx
Jxx AQxxx x
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 3* => invitation
pass
* Responder shows 10-11 hcp with support 4+ cards.
Opener with minimum need pass.
So here Responder don't use NMF because there are
only 4 cards
and no strength to GF - just for invitation
--------------------------------------------------------------
GAME FORCE
O:
xx
AQxx K9xxx Ax
R: KQ9x
Kxx AQxx x
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2*
<= NMF
2
3 <= GF
4**
4nt (RKC1430)
5
6
pass
* before support Opener in
suit Responder
need bid nmf to create a GF
continuation
** if Opener has KJx he
should bid 3nt, so
here 4 shows A.
----------------------------------------------------------------
O:
xx
Ax KJ10x KJ108xR:
AQ7xx
KJ6xx xx xOpener Responder
1
11nt 3
* => invitationpass
* Responder shows 10-11 hcp with 5-5 in the majors
Opener 3
is sign-off.Opener should not bid 3nt.
----------------------------------------------------------------
GAME
FORCE (GF)
O:
xx
A1x KJ10x KJ108x
R: AQJxx
KJ10xx Qx x
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2 => NMF
2nt 3 => GF showing 5-5
4 pass
Opener in NMF denie 4 cards so Responder's
3 shows 5-5 and it is GF (12+ hcp)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Examples Using NMF
O:Qxx
AJx QJx KJ9xR:
Ax
K109xx Kxx QxxOpener Responder
1
1
1nt 2
=> NMF3
*
4pass
* maximum with top honor in
------------------------------------------------------
O:
Qxx
J7x KJx AJ9x
R: Kx
Q8xxx Axx Qxx
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 => NMF
2* pass
* minimum, no top honor in
so
with a suit Q8xxx no good chance to make 4.
-----------------------------------------------------------
O:
Qxx
AJxx Qx KJ9x
R: K109xx
Kx x AQxxx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
=>
NMF
2
3 => FG with 4+
3*
4
pass
*Open first priority is bid his major 4 cards then
second priority is support
3
cards with minimum.
With maximum Opener bid 3 after
Responder's NMF showing
both.
----------------------------------------------------------
O:
Qx
AJxx Qxx KJ9x
R: K109x
Kxx x AQxxx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2 =>
NMF (need for FG)
2 3 => FG with 4+
4* 5
* Opener has a weak hand to bid 5
so make a game invitation -
Responder with singleton
accept.
----------------------------------------------------
O:
Kx
xx AQJxx Kx
R: Ax
KJ109x 10xx AQx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
=>
NMF
2nt* 3nt
* minimum with stopper in
and
no support
in so 3nt is a good contract to
game.
------------------------------------------------------------
O:
xx
Ax AQxxx K10x
R: x
KJ109x K10xx AJx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt* 2 => NMF
3
5
*After denie stop in
and 3 cards support
in
showing 5 cards Responder jump to
game
------------------------------------------------------------
O:
Axx
AQxx KJ9x xx
R: KQ9xx
KJxx AQx x
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2 => NMF
3* 4nt => RKC for
5
6
pass
* The information of maximum with honor in
is good for Slam after rkc
showing trump's Queen.
-------------------------------------------------------------
O:
10xx
AJx AQ9xx Jx
R: J98xx
Qx xx AKQ
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
=> NMF
2
3*
pass
*support in not define honor, so 3 is an invitation
asking for
honors in and with no honor Opener
pass.
---------------------------------------------------------------
O:
x
AJ10 A109x KQJ10x
R: KQ9xx
Kx Qxx Axx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
=> NMF
3nt*
pass
*singleton spades weaknees Responder's hand
possible
5431, so Responder should pass.
--------------------------------------------------------------
O:
x
AJ9 A109x KQJxx
R: A9xxx
Kx Kx A1098
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2 => NMF
3nt
4 =>
support in Clubs
4*
4nt => RKC1430
5** 7 Opener has 5 cards
* cue bid ** 3 key cards criss-cross play
--------------------------------------------------------------
You can
use NMF also in level 3 after Opener jump to 2nt
NMF is used by Responder at level 3 asking for support in his 5th major
cards bid at level 1, or when have also
5-4 or
4-4,
but not
when
Responder have 5-5 in the major or a 6 cards in a major.
Opener Responder
1 1
2nt 3
=> NMF
? After 3
NMF Opener bids:
3 showing support in with
3 cards and can also have 4 cards,
that will be bidded if Responder bids 3nt that shows 4-4;
3 showing 4
cards and denying 3 cards support;
3nt to play -
no 3 cards in and no 4 cards;
4 cuebid - 4 cards
and
A must have
1º or 2º control in ;
4 cuebid - 4 cards
and A must have 1º or 2º
control in no A;
4 support of 4
cards and deny
1º or 2º control in ;
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opener Responder
1
1
2nt 3
=>
NMF
? After 3
NMF
Opener bids:
3 showing 4 cards and can have 3 cards
that will be bidded
if Responder bids 3nt showing only 5 cards;
3 support with 3 cards and
denying 4 cards;
4 support with 4 and
denying
1º and
2º control in ;
3nt to play, no
support for
and
no 4 cards;
4 cuebid - 4
cards and
A
with
1º or 2º control in ;
4 cuebid - 4 cards
and A with 1º
or 2º control in -
deny A;
4 cuebid - 4 cards
and
A - deny A and A;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opener Responder
1
1
2nt 3
=> NMF
? After 3
NMF Opener bids:
3 with 3 cards
denying 4 cards, but can have 4, so
if Responder bids 3nt this means Responder has
4-4;
3 with 4
cards, denying support 3 cards;
3nt to play -
deny 3 cards and 4 cards;
4 cuebid, 4
cards and
A and has
1º or 2º control in ;
4 cuebid, 4 cards
and A and has 1º
or 2º control in
, no A;
4 support 4
cards, and has
1º or 2º control in ,
deny A A;
Opener Responder
1 1
2nt 3
=>
NMF
? After 3 NMF
Opener bids:
3 shows 4 cards and may have support 3 cards that will be
bided if Responder bids 3nt showing has 4-4;
3 support 3 cards and
deny 4 cards;
3nt to play, no support
3 cards and no 4 cards;
4 cue bid - 4 cards and
A,
must has
1º or 2º control in ;
4 cue bid - 4
cards and A, must has
1º or 2º control in ; no A
4 cue bid - 4 cards
and A, deny A A;
4 support -4 cards
and deny
1º and 2º control in ;
When Responder has 5-5 in the majors he doesn't use NMF
1
1
2ST 3
=> 5-5 asking for support 3 cards major
--------------------------------------
Opener
Responder
1 1
2ST 3
=> 5-5
asking for support 3 cards major
How Responder bids with 6 cards in a Major and 10-11 hcp?
1- If the 6
cards suit have good top cards (AQJxxx / AKxxxx / KQ109xx)
Responder can jump to level 3 asking for 2 cards
support and maximum,
when suit is weak like Q10xxxx or Kxxxxx try NMF to
find information
xx
A10x KJx KJ98xR:
AK7432
Kxx xxx xOpener Responder
1
11nt 3
<= invitationpass <= minimum, no support
-------------------------------------------------
O:
Qx
AJ10x QJx KJ9x
R:
AJ10432
Kxx Kxx x
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 3 <= invitation
4 <= maximum, honor
support
-------------------------------------------------
O:
xx
A10x KJx KJ98x
R:
AJ7432
Kxx Qxx x
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 <= NMF
2nt
3 <= invitation
pass <= minimum, no hono
-------------------------------------------------
O:
Jx
AJ10x QJx KJ9x
R:
K97432
Kx Axx x
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 <= NMF
2 2 <= ask for top honor
pass
invitation
--------------------------------------------------
O:
Axx
A10xx KJxx Q9
R:
Q107432
Kxx Qx Ax
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 <= NMF
3*
4
pass
* Opener shows 4 cards and
3 cards support with a top
honor.
--------------------------------------------------
O:
Jx
AJ10 QJx KJ9x
R:
K97432
Kx Axx x
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 <= NMF
2nt
pass <= no good information
/ / /