View source for Serious 3NT

{{Main|Contract bridge|Bidding system|Bridge convention|Glossary of contract bridge terms}}

'''Serious 3NT''' is a contract bridge bidding convention. It is used in game-forcing auctions where a [[major suit]] has been agreed upon.

1{{Spades}}–2{{Clubs}} if using [[2/1 Game Forcing]] or 2{{Spades}}–3{{Spades}} (Agreeing spades)

The next bid indicates suitability for slam:
* 3NT: strong (Serious 3NT)
* 4{{Clubs}}/4{{Diams}}/4{{Hearts}}: [[cuebid]], but not strong (non-serious).
* 4{{spades}}: truly minimum.

Since Spades are the agreed [[Trump (card games)|trump]] suit, Three No Trump is not usually the best contract. Using Serious Three No Trump, a bid of Three No Trump says "I am
Serious about slam", i.e. "I have a good hand". Bypassing bidding Three No Trump says "I am not Serious about Slam". Examples shown in the above auction.

If one player bypasses 3NT with a [[Cuebid]] (and is 'not serious'), then a [[Cuebid]] by partner indicates that he is serious. Note that in the example auction above, if the strong hand is next (after the 3{{Spades}} bid), he can differentiate between a strong hand, a weak hand that has a control (in case partner is strong) or a minimum hand.

Serious Three No Trump was devised by and named by [[Eric Rodwell]].<ref>Various articles in the [[American Contract Bridge League]] Bulletin (magazine). Convention cards submitted to the [[World Bridge Federation]].</ref>

==Frivolous 3NT==
Some partnerships reverse the meaning of 3NT in this situation. A weak hand bids 3NT to indicate no additional strength. This has the effect that a weak hand will not pinpoint a control for the defense.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{WPCBIndex}}

[[Category:Bridge conventions]]