When you open either 3
or 3
as a preemptive minor your opponents often find it
presents a problem for them because of the level of the bidding, but they still have the rest of the 3-level to find a major.
But suppose you opens 3NT, which is alerted by your partner as a preemptive minor in either clubs or diamonds?
Life just got a little more difficult for them because now they have to start looking for their major suit fit at the 4-level.
3NT: A Preemptive Minor Suit
The system agreement is that this opening bid promises at least a 7-card minor headed by either the ace or king, or sometimes a longer suit headed by the queen-jack-ten. Partner may pass or decide the hand would be better played in the minor. If he bids 4
the opener will either pass or correct to diamonds.
-
An opening bid of 3NT shows a preemptive minor with at least a 7-card broken suit
A popular agreement is the Gambling 3NT bid which shows a solid minor, but invariably the hand is played from the wrong side of the table. With this method you will open 3
or 3 with a solid
suit and let your partner bid 3NT if that's a contract that can make from his side. (Yes, I know... the problem is
the same with both methods, but I like this one better.)