System Summary

System Summary

An advantage of opening 1NT is that it makes opponents' life difficult.

A disadvantage is that we prefer a major suit if we have a fit. So, we have artificial mechanisms:

With a 5+ card major responder uses a transfer.

With a 4-card major responder uses Stayman.

But there is no mechanism to find a fit when responder has a 3-card major.

THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT OPENER DOES NOT HAVE A 5-CARD MAJOR.

It is worth noting that if opener has a 5-card suit, then the most likely number of cards responder has in the suit is three.