Chilli: simple universal bridge bidding: neutral three of a major

Cooperative suit scanning stops at 3. A bid of 3 or 3 has one of three meanings:

if the bid is a raise, it is a fit bid
if the bid cannot be natural, it is an impossible suit bid
otherwise it is a forcing suit-setter.

A direct raise of one or two of a major is a pre-emptive fit bid – better hands with support use 2NT. Continuations are discussed in fit auctions.

	West	North	East	South
			1	pass
	3

At least five hearts, and values for two at most; a stronger hand would bid 2NT.

If the 3 or 3 bidder has previously denied the suit and partner has never shown it, then it cannot be natural, and it is an impossible suit bid. For instance:

West	North	East	South
		1	pass
2	pass	2NT	pass
3	pass	3	pass
3

Responder denied spades when he bid 2

, and partner has never shown spades, so this cannot be natural. It's an impossible suit bid.

An impossible suit bid below 3NT shows an empty suit – a holding with no top honour. It initially suggests 3NT if partner can provide sufficient guard, although it might be a preparation for greater things.

But if the bid can be natural and is not a raise, it is a forcing suit-setter, making the auction fit and typically showing a good six-card suit ('self-agreement') but sometimes showing delayed support for partner. A suit-setter used before it is necessary to do so shows a solid suit or (if delayed a round) a solid suit missing an honour.

	West	North	East	South
			1	pass
	3

Shows at least

AKQJxx, and makes the auction fit with hearts as trumps.

West	North	East	South
		1	pass
1	pass	2	pass
2	pass	3	pass
3

Sets hearts with less than a solid suit.

A forcing suit-setter can sometimes be used to give delayed support to a suit, typically setting a Moysian fit:

	West	North	East	South
K95			1	pass	AQ72
83	2	pass	3	pass	94
AK10754	3	pass	3	pass	83
A6	3				KQ843

was an impossible suit bid, as the bidder has denied it and partner has not shown it. 3

is not impossible because partner has already shown spades, and it is therefore a forcing suit-setter. With four-card support, responder would have raised 1

immediately, and with five spades, opener would have bid 2

rather than 3

. So here responder – unable to prop up hearts for 3NT – is settling a four-three spade fit.

NEXT: neutral four of a minor

Neutral three of a major

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