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 to search 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 jumping 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- Opener 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 5♠4♣ rebid
Spades or pass)
Note3: NMF here is not standard because here we prioritize 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)
Note: 2♠ in
standard NMF denies stopper in ♠ and
denies support.
2nt <= denies support in ♥ but
shows Spades 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 Analyze 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♠
1NT 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 an Invitation to Game
INVITATION TO GAME
Opener: ♠Axx ♥A10xx ♦KJ9x ♣Jx
Responder: ♠QJxx ♥Jxx ♦AQxxx ♣x
Opener Responder
1♦ 1♠
1nt 3*
=> invitation showing 10-11 hcp
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
(RKB1430)
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♣.
----------------------------------------------------------------
INVITATION TO GAME
O: ♠xx ♥Ax ♦KJ10x ♣KJ108x
R: ♠AQ7xx ♥
KJ6xx ♦xx ♣x
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
1nt 3♥*
=> invitation
pass
* Responder shows 10-11 hcp with 5-5 in the majors.
Opener 3♠ is
sign-off.
Opener should not bid 3nt just prefer the major or pass or big game in a
major
----------------------------------------------------------------
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 denies 4♥ cards
so Responder's
3♥ shows 5-5
and it is GF (12+ hcp)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Examples Using NMF
O: ♠Qxx ♥AJx ♦QJx ♣KJ9x
R: ♠Ax ♥K109xx ♦Kxx ♣Qxx
Opener Responder
1♣
1♥
1nt 2♦ =>
NMF
3♥*
4♥
pass
* maximum with a 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♣
=> GF 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♣
=> GF with 4♣+
4♣*
5♣
* Opener has a weak hand to bid 5♣
so make a game invitation -
Responder with singleton ♦ accepts.
----------------------------------------------------
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 denies 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
=> RKB for ♥
5♠
6♥
pass
* The information of maximum with honor in ♠
is good for Slam after RKB 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 weakness 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 => RKB1430
5♦** 7♣ Opener
has 5♣ cards
* cue bid ** 3 key cards - crisscross 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 bided 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 denies 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 bided
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 ♥ -
no A♣;
4♥ cuebid
- 4♠ cards
and A♥ -
denies 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 ♠, denies
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 denies 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♥,
denies 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
Opener Responder
1♣
1♠
2NT 3♥ =>
5♠-5♥
asking for support 3 cards major - If Opener has control in the minors
and good top honors in both majors he may cuebid in 4♣
as an invitation to slam.
--------------------------------------
Opener Responder
1
1♠
2NT 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
O: ♠xx ♥A10x ♦KJx ♣KJ98x
R: ♠AK7432 ♥Kxx ♦xxx ♣x
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
1nt 3♠ <=
invitation
pass <= 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 honor
-------------------------------------------------
O: ♠Jx ♥AJ10x ♦QJx ♣KJ9x
R: ♠K97432 ♥Kx ♦Axx ♣x
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
1nt 2♦ <=
NMF
2♥
2♠ <=
asking for 2nd top honor
pass invitation or to pass
--------------------------------------------------
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 ♦♦Jx ♣KJ9x
R: ♠K97432 ♥Kx ♦Axx ♣x
Opener Responder
1♣ 1♠
1nt 2 <=
NMF
2nt pass <= no good information
/ / /