Friday, December 05, 2003 12:17 AM

Balancing 3NT Bids

PITBULLS:

The opponents open a pre-empt at the 3 level and it goes pass around to you . Balancing is an art form but there are guidelines . If you are long in their suit and have an opening bid you should just pass and not disturb things. Partner is short in their suit and took no action so passing is an easy decision . What if you have a strong NT and a stopper in there suit ? Should you balance with 3NT ? Well yes and no . If they pre-empt in spades , a double will get you past 3NT so I would balance 3NT with those hands. Over a 3♥ pre-empt , it depends on my spade holding . If I have good spades I double otherwise I balance 3NT.

If they pre-empt in a minor , a 3NT balance is based on playability . This is normally a long other minor and a stopper in their suit. On rare occasions you could have a stack in their suit and are just too strong to pass. A balanced 22 count and you are vul and they are not will bring out a 3NT bid . If they are vul and I am not , I probably will let them play it there and collect +400 the easy way. Over a minor pre-empt , I always double with a flat standard no trump opener rather then bid 3NT in the balancing seat. This double assumes I have appropriate cards in the majors.

O.K. with understandings on what constitutes a 3NT balance , it clarifies suit balances . It goes 3♣ and all pass and partner balances 3♦ vul and you hold Axxx AJ98xx 10x x . You bid 3♥ and partner bids 3NT what next ? O.K. if partner has good long diamonds and a club stopper she would have balanced 3NT based on “playability” so you throw that hand out . Partner is likely to only have one club stopper and a missing diamond card so 3NT is shakey with a club lead. You gave partner an opportunity to bid spades and she failed to do so. Based on these inferences you should retreat to 4♥ as the percentage contract . On this hand it turns out you make +650 despite losing 2 heart tricks and 3NT goes one down.

There are quantitative balances but they should always start out with a double. 3♠-P-P-? and you double and partner bids 4 of a minor . 4NT is to play show points in the 20 + range and too strong to balance 3NT. What if you have a flat 24 HCP in the balancing spot ? The pre-empt gets around to you so you double . Partner bids something at the 3 level so you bid 4NT . This is not Blackwood . A general rule is that you must Q bid their suit to clue partner in on the suit fit before 4NT can be Blackwood. In fact in balancing auctions and especially when minors are bid a good generalization is 4NT can never be Blackwood !!