New Minor Forcing
New Minor Forcing is a convention used after responder bids 1
/
and hears a 1NT rebid by opener. A 
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Opener 1 1NT |
Responder 1 /2 |
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Opener 1 1NT |
Responder 1 /2 |
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Opener 1 1NT |
Responder 1 2 / |
/ is New Minor Forcing. These bids do not necessarily show a real suit; they are simply forcing bids that ask partner to describe his hand.
New Minor Forcing fills the need for the partnership to identify a 5-3 major-suit fit, since opener's 1NT rebid may include 3 cards in responder's suit.
Opener's Rebids
Opener's priorities are:- Bidding a 4-card major
- Showing 3-card support for partner's major
- Bidding no-trumps with a stopper in the unbid suit
- Raising the "new minor" with 4 cards in that suit
- Rebidding his suit if none of the above conditions are met
1. Bidding a 4-card major This is opener's top priority in case a 4-4 fit is available. When both a 4-4 fit and 5-3 fit are available, the 4-4 fit is generally preferred because the 5-card suit can theoretically be cashed to provide discards.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| KJ7 | AT932 | |||||
| AQT7 | K932 | |||||
| A563 | J2 | |||||
| 65 | KT | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 2 (2)4 (4) |
Responder 1 2 (1) 3 (3) Pass |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener's top priority is to bid his 4-card heart suit.
- Responder raises with 4-card support and game-invitational values.
- Opener bids game with a maximum.
2. Showing 3-card support for partner's major With 12-13 points and 3-card support, opener should bid partner's suit at the 2-level. With a good 13-14 points, opener should jump raise.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| JT3 | KQ2 | |||||
| KJT | A7532 | |||||
| A4 | Q32 | |||||
| K9632 | 87 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 2 (2) |
Responder 1 2 (1) Pass (3) |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener shows 3-card support and minimum strength. (He also denies as many as four spades.)
- Responder passes with a minimum opposite a minimum. New Minor Forcing does NOT promise a rebid.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| J73 | KQ2 | |||||
| KQT | A7532 | |||||
| A4 | Q32 | |||||
| A9632 | 87 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 3 (2) |
Responder 1 2 (1) 4 (3) |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener shows 3-card support and maximum strength. (He also denies as many as four spades.)
- Responder continues on to game knowing partner has a maximum.
3. Bidding no-trumps with a stopper in the unbid suit Opener can rebid 2NT (with 12-13 points) or 3NT (with 13-14 points) if he lacks a 4-card major or support for partner's major. A rebid in no-trumps promises a stopper in the unbid suit.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| KT3 | 94 | |||||
| 84 | AJ975 | |||||
| A97 | KQT62 | |||||
| KQ632 | 8 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 2NT (2) Pass (4) |
Responder 1 2 (1) 3 (3) |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener promises a spade stopper with 12-13 points.
- Rebidding the "new minor" shows at least a 4-card suit. With game-forcing values, responder could jump-rebid either of his suits instead.
- Opener passes with a minimum.
4. Raising the "new minor" with 4 cards in that suit This bid occurs when opener cannot bid the other major, raise partner's suit or bid no-trumps.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| Q9 | AT42 | |||||
| 84 | AJ975 | |||||
| A9752 | KQ4 | |||||
| KQ63 | 8 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 3 (2) Pass |
Responder 1 2 (1) 3NT (3) |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Natural, denying a lot of things: four spades, a spade stopper, or heart support.
- Responder is able to bid 3NT with game-going strength and a spade stopper.
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| AKT | 62 | |||||
| 84 | AJ975 | |||||
| A97 | KQ2 | |||||
| KT832 | A87 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 3NT (2) |
Responder 1 2 (1) Pass |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener promises a spade stopper with 13-14 points.
5. Rebidding his suit if none of the above conditions are met This is opener's last resort. He lacks a 4-card major, a stopper in the unbid suit, 3-card support for partner, and he cannot raise the "new minor."
| Opener | Responder | |||||
| K7 | AT932 | |||||
| AJT75 | K6 | |||||
| A63 | JT8 | |||||
| 652 | KT3 | |||||
Opener 1 1NT 2 (2)Pass (4) |
Responder 1 2 (1) 2NT (3) Pass |
- New Minor Forcing.
- Opener has neither 3-card spade support nor a club stopper. He also cannot raise clubs.
- Responder bids no-trumps with a club control. Note that he could bid 3NT with a maximum instead.
- Opener passes with a minimum.