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Opening 1NT

Opening 1NT is a very helpful and specific bid. In the Standard system, it means you have 15-17 HCP and a balanced hand.

Watch the video to learn about:

What a is a balanced hand
What a 1NT opening bid means
How to respond to a 1NT opening bid

After you watch the video, go ahead and try playing these lesson hands. Hints will guide you through the auctions.

Beginners' Course Standard - Opening 1NT in Bridge

Play

Review what you've learned by answering the questions below.

Question 1: Choose your opening bid.

♠KQ6 ♥AT87 ♦Q732 ♣A7

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1NT - You have 15-17 HCP and a balanced hand.

Question 2: Choose your opening bid.

♠87 ♥KQ5 ♦Q983 ♣AQ84

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1♦ - With 13 HCP and no 5-card major, open your best minor.

Question 3: Choose your opening bid.

♠AJ693 ♥AT3 ♦A54 ♣64

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1♠ - 13 HCP and a five card major, open 1♠.

Question 4: Choose your opening bid.

♠A9 ♥AJT73 ♦K76 ♣962

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1♥ - Bid your longest suit. 1NT would deny five hearts.

Question 5: Choose your opening bid.

♠A9863 ♥AKQT ♦64 ♣A2

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1♠ - Open your longest suit. Your hand is not balanced.

Question 6: Choose your opening bid.

♠K7 ♥Q87 ♦AQJT8 ♣K52

Pass

1♣

1♦

1♥

1♠

1NT

1NT - 15-17 HCP and a balanced hand.

Question 7: What do you respond if partner opens 1NT?

♠K76 ♥JT87 ♦Q732 ♣87

Pass

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

2NT

Pass - 6 HCP is not enough to bid game as partner's maximum is 17 HCP.

Question 8: What do you respond if partner opens 1♥?

♠K76 ♥JT87 ♦Q732 ♣87

Pass

1NT

2♥

3♥

3NT

2♥ - You have a fit and enough for game if partner has 18 or 19 HCP.

Explain in your own words the difference between a 1NT opening bid and a 1♥ opening bid.

1♥ promises anywhere between 12-19 HCP. It also could be any shape. All you know is that there are at least 5 hearts.

1NT is a balanced hand with 15-17 HCP and is much more specific.

Why do you always pass as responder after partner’s 1NT opening, when you have a balanced hand and 7 HCP?

Because 1NT has 17 HCP at the most so there cannot be enough for game.

Ready to continue to the next lesson?

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Opening 1NT

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