New Minor Forcing

..1 - 1 - 1NT - 2 ( NMF)

2 is artificial, showing 11+ points and asking Opener to further describe his hand. Responder is interested in game, usually has a five-card major and is looking for a 3 card fit

Opener's responses to 1-1-1NT-2 , in order of priority, are:

• 2 shows a 4-card suit , DOES NOT DENY 3
• 2 shows 3-card support, 12 to 13- pts , DENIES 4
• 3 shows 3-card support, 13+ to 14+ pts, DENIES 4
• 2NT shows a stopper in the unbid suit, 12 to 13- pts DENIES 3 & 4
• 3NT shows a stopper in the unbid suit, 13+ to 14 pts
• Raise of the new minor Rebid of opener's suit. Natural, denies the ability to make any other bid

Obviously if the bidding goes 1-1-1NT-2 then opener has denied 4 so Responder is only looking for Heart support.

Because first response to New Minor Forcing is to show 4 if you have them , a 2 bid by Responder instead of NMF shows either 5-5 or 5-4 Spades and Hearts (too weak to bid NMF ) Also if Responder bids 3 instead of using NMF then he is 5-5 at least and has 11 HCP or more.

New Minor Forcing is OFF in competition.

If Openers third bid was 2 Responder still doesnt know if opener has 3 card Spade support so a rebid by Responder of 2 is forcing for one round , but only promises invitational strength. Basically this is just a checkback for 3 Spades.

Opener then bids

• 2NT or 3 with a minimum according to Spade length or rebids his minor with no stopper in the other minor.
• With a maximum he bids 3NT or 4 , OR REBIDS his minor with no stopper in other minor.