Historically (after you open, say 1 ♦ and partner responds, say 1 ♠):
| 1 NT = 15-16; |
| 2 NT = 17-18; |
| 3 NT = 19. |
However, the 3 NT rebid is very clumsy: you have no room to investigate alternative games. Far better for 1 ♦ -1 ♠-3 NT to show a gambling hand based on a trick source eg;
|
♠ Q |
♠ K |
(for what else would you rebid with these hands — a non-forcing 3♦ ?). Further, in the modern era of responding light given any excuse, do you really want to jump to 2 NT holding a 17-count and get overboard with 17 facing 5/6 points?
Here are the modern Notrump rebid ranges for the aspiring player (after eg 1 -1 ♠):
| 1 NT: | 15-17 (a really good 17 can upgrade to 2 NT). |
| 2 NT: | 18-19. |
| 3 NT: | Gambling based on a trick source (see above hands). |
Exercise: 1 ♣-1 ♥ -?
| Hand i) | Hand ii) | Hand iii) |
|
♠ A J |
♠ A K Q |
♠ A 2 |
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North Deals None Vul |
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| West | North | East | South |
| 1 ♣ | Pass | 1 ♥ | |
| Pass | 2 NT | Pass | 3 ♣ |
| Pass | 3 ♥ | Pass | 4 ♥ |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 4 ♥ by South |
| Lead: ♠ 10 |
| Made 4 |
3 NT would have lost four diamond tricks and the ace of hearts — the defence would have time to switch to diamonds, even if they didn’t lead a diamond initially.
In 4 ♥ , declarer won West’s ♠ 10 lead with ♠ Q and correctly crossed to ♣ Q, to lead ♥ 2 towards ♥ Q (key play). In this way, West was restricted to just one trick. He elected to play♥ J but declarer won dummy’s ♥ Q and led back to ♥ 10 and ♥ A. The defence cashed two diamonds but declarer ruffed the third, cashed ♥ K drawing ♥ 9 and claimed ten tricks and game made.
Note that if declarer led ♥ Q from dummy to West’s ♥ A, he’d likely lead to ♥ 10 next and lose to ♥ J.