How to Bid a No Trump Bridge Hand (Lesson 3)

In this article we will explore the 1 NT (No Trump) bid. There is no suit to be named with this bid. The term is self-explanatory. The opening bid of One No Trump is as precise a bid in the game of Bridge as you will find. Your partner and the opponents are both privvy to this information, and they will bid or compete in the auction accordingly. 1 NT must meet these prerequisites:

a. 16 to 18 HCP (High Card Points)
b. No five-card Major suit
c. No voids or singletons
d. At least three suits stopped

There is NO veering from the basic requirments, unless you and your partner agree to the 15 to 17 HCP point range. There are many possible responses to 1 NT, which are reviewed in another of my articles.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lit and ventilated room
• A card-sized table
• Pens/pencils and paper for score sheets
• 2 decks of standard playing cards
• Four players

No Trump Bidding - Opening on the One Level

1. POINT REQUIREMENT
   
   You need at least 16 (but not more than 18) High Card Points to open (or overcall) with one no trump. Some players prefer to lower the range slightly with 15 to 17 HCP. This allows a few more opportunities to open with the 1 NT bid, however, the responses will be changed.

2. MAJOR SUIT RESTRICTION
   
   You must NOT bid 1 NT if you hold a Five-card Spade or Heart suit. You may have one or two major suits; that is fine. Suit contracts are generally safer, and a major suit should not be "hidden."

3. DISTRIBUTION
   
   The 1 NT hand must NOT have a void or singleton in ANY suit. The reason for this is straightforward. If you have a "hole" (no stopper) in a suit, and the opponents get the lead, they may be able to run this suit and defeat your contract. Partner can't always be counted on to have a stoppper in your void or singleton suit.

4. DOUBLETONS
   
   The no trump hand may have one (and not more than one) doubleton in any suit. (A doubleton is a two-card holding.) It is highly preferred that you have a "stopper" (Ace and one small, or King and one small) in your doubleton suit. There are those who take chances with no trump bids and weak doubletons. I do not recommend this for beginners.

5. HCP DISTRIBUTION
   
   Three suits of the no trump bid must contain most of the high cards. In other words, you cannot have more than one 3 or 4 card "unstopped" suit. Those who choose to bid one no trump with TWO weak suits will be on the road to defeated NT contracts more often than not.

6. NT WITH FIVE-CARD MINOR SUIT
   
   It is perfectly acceptable to bid 1 NT, with a five-card Club or Diamond suit. This does stretch the shape of the no trump hand, however, the minor suit may set up for four or more tricks if the card lie is favorable.

7. OPENING BID OF 2 NO TRUMP
   
   The 2 NT hand is a real powerhouse! It must contain 22 to 24 HCP, with the same restrictions about no major suit and no voids or singletons. When you are dealt a 2 NT hand, you are very close to having "Game" (3 NT) all by yourself, and you want to explore possibilities, depending on partner's response.

8. OPENING BID OF THREE NO TRUMP
   
   When you are fortunate enough to hold 25 to 27 HCP all by yourself, you have hit the jackpot! "Game" is almost a certainty, and you might have the opportunity to probe for "Slam" (a six-level bid), if partner has some well-placed high cards! We discuss bidding "Conventions" in another article.

Tips & Warnings

• The one No Trump bid promises a good hand, and is the first step in reaching a possible game (3 NT or 4 of a Major suit).
• Suit contracts are easier to play; NT contracts require precise technique.
• Refer to one of the previously mentioned beginner Bridge books; familiarize yourself with the Standard Notrump bidding systems
• Do not veer from any bidding agreements you have made with partner.
• Never suppress a five-card major suit during the bidding phase.