New Minor Forcing

New Minor Forcing is a convention used after responder bids 1/ and hears a 1NT rebid by opener. A 2 or 2 bid is artificial, showing at least game-invitational values and usually a 5-card major. It says nothing about clubs or diamonds, respectively. New Minor Forcing is used in these sequences:

Opener     1 1NT

Responder     1/ 2!

Opener     1 1NT

Responder     1/ 2!

Opener     1 1NT

Responder     1 2/!

In each auction, 2/ is New Minor Forcing. These bids do not promise a real suit; they are simply forcing bids that ask partner to describe his hand further.

The last auction above is the only one where responder can choose a minor. In their book "Modern Bridge Conventions", Bill Root and Richard Pavlicek recommend bidding the stronger minor to imply a stopper.

New Minor Forcing fulfills the need to identify a 5-3 major-suit fit, since opener's 1NT rebid may include 3 cards in responder's suit. Playing standard methods, responder may be forced to rebid 2NT or 3NT with a 5-card major. Opener is then forced to guess whether responder has a 4- or 5-card suit. By playing New Minor Forcing and giving up the natural minor-suit rebid, players can more easily probe for a major-suit game.

Opener's priorities are:

1. Bidding a 4-card major
2. Showing 3-card support for partner's major
3. Bidding no-trumps with a stopper in the unbid suit
4. Raising the "new minor" with 4 cards in that suit
5. Rebidding his suit if none of the above conditions are met

Note that the examples below illustrate a 12-14 HCP 1NT rebid by opener. If playing a weak 1NT opening bid, then opener's 1NT rebid would show 15-17 HCP, and responder's minimum strength would be revised downward accordingly.

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

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener's top priority is to bid his 4-card heart suit.
3. Responder raises with 4-card support and game-invitational values.
4. 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)

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener shows 3-card support and minimum strength. (He also denies as many as four spades.)
3. 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)

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener shows 3-card support and maximum strength. (He also denies as many as four spades.)
3. 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)

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener promises a spade stopper with 12-13 points.
3. Rebidding the "new minor" shows at least a 4-card suit. With game-forcing values, responder could jump-rebid either of his suits instead.
4. Opener passes with a minimum.

			Opener			Responder
			AKT			62
			84			AJ975
			A97			KQ2
			KT832			A74
			Opener     1 1NT 3NT (2)			Responder     1 2 (1) Pass

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener promises a spade stopper with 13-14 points.

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)

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Natural, denying a lot of things: four spades, a spade stopper, or heart support.
3. Responder is able to bid 3NT with game-going strength and a spade stopper.

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
			963			JT8
			A52			KT3
			Opener     1 1NT 2 (2) Pass (4)			Responder     1 2 (1) 2NT (3)

1. New Minor Forcing.
2. Opener has neither 3-card spade support nor a diamond stopper. He also cannot raise clubs.
3. Responder bids no-trumps with a club control. Note that he could bid 3NT with a maximum instead.
4. Opener passes with a minimum.