Friday, March 12, 2004 4:11 AM
5 NT
PITBULLS:
Ambiguity is
bad for any language and bridge is no exception. In English , where the same
word can have different meanings we resolve it depending on the context in which the word was used. In bridge ,
a “depending on context” bid is 5NT .
Bridge World Standard offers the following:
Five notrump: If an undiscussed but clearly forcing
noncompetitive five-notrump bid might logically be interpreted as more than one
of these alternatives, the priority order of interpretation is
(1) Grand-Slam Force,
(2) choice
of slam,
(3) control-showing bid.
Most experts have the following
agreements with 5NT :
Provided no major suit is agreed, a bid of 5 NT has one of the
following meanings unless part of another agreement.
1. A jump to 5 NT over any balanced
notrump bid, provided no real suit has been shown, invites a grand slam. Partner should bid 6 NT
with a minimum or 7 NT with a tiptop maximum. A suit bid indicates a
good 4+ cards with in-between strength.
2. If a real suit has been shown, a jump to 5 NT is quantitative over any
bid except a natural major-suit bid
asks partner to select a slam from the obvious
alternatives ( depending on context ) , with 6 NT being a possibility.
3. A nonjump
bid of 5 NT over any bid (including a major) has the same
meaning as above, but 6 NT is a possibility only if notrump was previously
bid naturally. Otherwise, partner must choose a suit.
4. A jump bid of 5NT when a fit has been found, is the Grand Slam Force with exceptions noted below .
5. After a 4 or 5-level enemy preempt, whether partner has bid or not,
a bid of 5 NT at your first
turn requests partner to choose an unbid suit (cheapest first if there are 3
unbid) with 4 cards (or 3 cards with an honor). Example:
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
|
|
|
♠3 2 |
This bid would normally be interpreted as a
grand slam force (trump ask), but the need for an unbid-suit takeout is more
important and there is no other way to effect it.
6. A free bid of 5NT when the opponents are
sacrificing is a Q bid showing
first round control in their suit
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
|
|
|
♠ |
7.
After partner opens 4 of a major , 5NT is not the Grand Slam Force but instead ask for quality &
length of the suit. A jump to 7 shows a suit that can play opposite a void. A
return to the major is the death response ( we are too high in six ) . A 6♣ bid after 5NT is an asking bid
with a suit that makes 7 opposite a doubleton. 6♦ by the 5NT bidder says
I have a singleton , 6 of the major a void and 7 of the major a doubleton. A 6♦ bid is also
and asking bid . The 5NT bidder bids 7 with the queen or 3 small and returns to
the major otherwise.
8. In a competitive auction starting at
the 5 level , 5NT says pick a suit. 5♦-X-P-5NT P-?