You open 1NT in bridge with a balanced hand of 15 to 17 high-card points in 2/1 Game Force and Standard American, or 12 to 14 in Acol. Because the range is so narrow, partner can add the points and usually choose the final contract right away.
Lesson 12 covered openings in a suit, which show a wide range of 12 to 21 points. 1NT is the opposite: the most exact opening in bridge.
Which Hands Open 1NT?
A 1NT opening needs two things:
- The right strength. 15 to 17 HCP in 2/1 Game Force, Standard American and SAYC. Acol players use a weak notrump of 12 to 14. Some partnerships use other ranges (14 to 16 is also seen), so it is always written on the convention card.
- A balanced shape. No void, no singleton and at most one doubleton: 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2 or 5-3-3-2.
A five-card minor in a 5-3-3-2 hand is fine. A five-card major is allowed by most 2/1 and Standard American players today, though some prefer to open the major. Agree it with your partner. You can see what a 1NT opening shows in every system, including the Acol weak notrump.
Some example hands, all in 2/1 Game Force:
| Hand | HCP | Opening |
|---|---|---|
| ♠K J 4 ♥A Q 6 ♦K 10 8 5 ♣Q J 3 | 16 | 1NT |
| ♠A Q 7 3 ♥K 5 ♦K J 4 ♣Q 10 8 6 | 15 | 1NT |
| ♠A K 5 ♥Q J 4 3 ♦A J 6 ♣K 9 2 | 18 | 1♣, then rebid 2NT: too strong for 1NT, and no five-card suit |
| ♠K 9 8 6 4 2 ♥A K ♦K Q 4 ♣7 3 | 15 | 1♠: six spades is not balanced |
The third hand shows what happens just above the range. With 18 or 19 balanced you open one of a suit and jump in notrump on your next bid.
Partner Takes Charge
After a 1NT opening, responder knows opener's strength within three points and knows the shape is balanced. So responder becomes the captain: responder decides where the contract goes, and opener mostly answers questions.
The math is simple. Responder adds their own points to 15-17 and compares with 25 for game:
| Responder's HCP | Combined | Action (balanced hand, no four-card major) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 7 | 15 to 24 | Pass |
| 8 to 9 | 23 to 26 | 2NT: invites game |
| 10 to 15 | 25 to 32 | 3NT |
| 16 to 17 | 31 to 34 | 4NT: invites slam |
After a 2NT invitation, opener passes with a minimum (15) and bids 3NT with 16 or 17. Hands with a four- or five-card major use the two most popular conventions in bridge, Stayman and transfers. They are the subject of the next lesson, and you can read ahead in our pages on Stayman and Jacoby transfers.
Rule of ThumbOpposite 1NT, responder is captain. Add your points to 15-17: below 25 combined, stop low; 25 or more, bid game.
Opening 2NT
A balanced hand that is too strong for 1NT and for a one-level rebid opens 2NT: 20 to 21 HCP in 2/1 Game Force, Standard American and SAYC. Many Acol players use 20 to 22. The shape rules are the same as for 1NT.
Responder now needs very little for game: with about 4 or 5 points, the combined total reaches 25, so responder bids 3NT. With fewer, responder passes. Stayman and transfers work over 2NT too, one level higher.
The full ladder for balanced hands in 2/1 Game Force looks like this:
| Balanced HCP | Plan |
|---|---|
| 12 to 14 | Open one of a suit, rebid 1NT |
| 15 to 17 | Open 1NT |
| 18 to 19 | Open one of a suit, rebid 2NT |
| 20 to 21 | Open 2NT |
| 22 and up | Open 2♣, rebid in notrump |
Watch It in a Deal
South opens 1NT and North, with 11 points, bids game.
South plays 3NT. West leads the spade jack.
South has ♠K Q 5 ♥A J 4 ♦K 10 6 3 ♣A 9 2: 17 HCP and a 3-3-4-3 shape, so 1NT. North holds 11 HCP and a flat hand with no four-card major. North adds 11 to 15-17 and gets 26 to 28: enough for game, not enough for slam. North bids 3NT directly. One question, one answer, and the auction is over in two bids.
West leads the ♠J. South counts seven top tricks: three spades, one heart and three clubs. The diamonds supply the rest once the ♦A is knocked out. With best play South makes ten tricks.
Compare that with a one-of-a-suit opening, where North would have to ask several questions to find out South's strength. That is the value of 1NT: the narrow range does the work.
The Habit to Keep
With a balanced hand, check the 1NT range first, before you think about suits. If you are in range, open 1NT and let partner take over. As responder, add before you bid: your points plus 15-17, then compare with 25.
To drill the ranges, bid some random deals in BridgeDummy's Bidding Room. You can choose 2/1 Game Force or SAYC to practice the 15-17 notrump, or Acol to try the weak notrump, and see how the robots answer.
Practice: Opening 1NT
Partner opens 1NT (15 to 17). Your call?
You hold ♠K 8 4 ♥Q J 5 ♦Q 9 7 3 ♣J 6 2: 9 HCP, balanced, no four-card major. What do you bid?
Next Lesson
Previous: Lesson 12: Opening One of a Suit. Next: Lesson 14: Stayman and Transfers, how to find a major-suit fit after 1NT.