[NipperB]

Where can I find an explanation of a 3M response to 1 notrump showing a singleton and 5-4 minors? Is it exactly as explained in Mike Lawrence's Conventions software?

[TylerE]

Like any convention, it's solely up to you and your partner. The first decision is if you bid the short or long major. Mainly a personal preference thing.

A sample set of respones:

3NT - To play
4m - Preference, some slam interest
4♥ - Strong slam interest in clubs
4♠ - Strong slam interest in diamonds
4NT - At least 4/4 in the minors, slam interest in either minor.
5m - to play

Some alternative ideas:

4m as keycard for the bid minor

Also, playing any of these, 4NT by responder should be 6-key RKCB, with the keys being the 4 A's and the 2 minor suit kings. A sample set of responses.

5♣ - 1/4
5♦ - 0/3
5♥ - 2 or 5, No Q
5♠ - 2 or 5, 1 Q
5NT - 2 or 5, Both Qs

[helene_t]

I think 4 of the other major is to play.

[TylerE]

Not around here. 1NT with a 5 card major is rare, and so the need to play a 4-3 is highly uncommon, so it's not worth having those as to play. Playing a 5 card major common in 1NT would change that, of course.

[david_c]

TylerE, on Mar 4 2008, 07:44 PM, said:

Not around here. 1NT with a 5 card major is rare, and so the need to play a 4-3 is highly uncommon, so it's not worth having those as to play

Wow I totally disagree with that. There are loads of good 4-3 fits that you find with this convention, because the singleton is in the short hand.

[Codo]

One of the main reason to play 5431 is to find exactly these 4-3 fits with weak spots opposite a singelton in the other major so4 in the other major is surely to play.

[the hog]

TylerE, on Mar 5 2008, 01:44 AM, said:

Not around here. 1NT with a 5 card major is rare, and so the need to play a 4-3 is highly uncommon, so it's not worth having those as to play.

I guess you haven't read many of the posts here. i would suggest that most frequent posters play that 1NT can include a 5M. Also agree that one of the main benefits of this s/t showing bid is to find good 4-3 fits.

[NipperW]

Thanks for all of the comments.

You have been very helpful.

NipperW

[han]

Also agree that 4oM HAS to be to play.

(edited to please nitpickers)

[cherdano]

david_c, on Mar 4 2008, 01:00 PM, said:

TylerE, on Mar 4 2008, 07:44 PM, said:

Not around here. 1NT with a 5 card major is rare, and so the need to play a 4-3 is highly uncommon, so it's not worth having those as to play

Wow I totally disagree with that. There are loads of good 4-3 fits that you find with this convention, because the singleton is in the short hand.

Strongly agree with David. (Of course bidding 4M in partner's short suit is a slam try.)

[Trinidad]

TylerE, on Mar 4 2008, 01:44 PM, said:

Not around here. 1NT with a 5 card major is rare, and so the need to play a 4-3 is highly uncommon, so it's not worth having those as to play. Playing a 5 card major common in 1NT would change that, of course.

I would rather say it is the other way around.

1NT-3M to show a (13)(45) pattern is bid to pick the correct game (3NT, 4M or 5m). It is not a slam tool. That means that the need for slam try bids is highly uncommon.

For the few cases where you want to show an exceptionally good hand, you can use the bid of 4 in responder's short major. This is not because you really need a bid for slam tries. It is because there is no sensible other meaning for bidding partner's short major.

With slam going hands, responder will bid differently (I guess starting with Stayman) and take his time in the bidding.

Rik