The CONFIT Convention

Provided by Neil H. Timm

When opening 1NT*/2NT quantitative NT bids are commonly used to invite slam by using HCP count where 33-36 HCP is used for a small slam and 37+HCP for a grand slam.

For example over 2NT:

• 4NT shows 12 HCP (inviting 6NT).
• 6NT shows 13-15 HCP.
• 5NT shows 16 HCP (inviting 7NT).
• 7NT shows 17+ HCP.

For example over 1NT*:

• 4NT shows 17 HCP (inviting 6NT).
• 6NT shows 18-20 HCP.
• 5NT shows 21 HCP (inviting 7NT).
• 7NT shows 22+ HCP.

These bids ask your partner to evaluate the aggregate strength of their hand and requires significant judgment since they depend on points and not controls where an Ace = 2 controls and King = 1 control are used to take tricks. A better option is to use the CONtrol and FIT (CONFIT) convention to evaluate whether or not a slam is possible.

The name was derived from CONFI, which stands for CONtrols FIt devised by Dr. George Rosenkranz to bid slams with two balanced hands. (“Bridge World Magazine”, January 1975). A balanced hand is defined as 4333, 4432, 5332 or even 5422 shape.

The CONFIT Convention

To initiate the convention over 1NT* (15-17) or 2NT (20-21) requires a minimum of 17 and 12 HCP, respectively or around 33HCP or a minimum of 10 out of 12 controls are needed for slam. Because 2*/3 over 1NT/2NT are used by many to initiate puppet/muppet Stayman the CONTROL convention is initiated by the bid of 2*/3*. The responses are:

For 1NT - 2* - ?

• 2* = at most 4 controls
• 2* = 5 controls
• 2NT* = 6 controls
• 3* = 7 controls
• 3* = 8+controls

For 2NT - 3* - ?

• 3* = at most 6 controls
• 3* = 7 controls
• 3NT* = 8+controls

Where * = alert since none of the bids are natural.

If the partnership has less than 10 controls one sings-off in 3NT. If the control total is 10 or more, one may bid the cheapest biddable 4-card suit headed by at least one of the top three honors or make a jump suit bid in a suit with 2 of the top 3 honors.

Over 1NT* many partnerships use 2 as Stayman and 3* as puppet/muppet Stayman. If you do, then 3* = CONFIT bid may be used over both 1NT*/2NT.

A disadvantage of the convention is that it gives up the Jacoby transfer bids of 2*/3* as transfers to hearts. HOWEVER, playing 2/1 the convention may be used over strong 2 bids to evaluate controls. That is 2 = CONFIT and is NOT alerted.

The CONFIT convention may also be employed using the sequence:

1 - 1 - 1NT - 2*= CONFIT

• 3* = at most 4 controls
• 3* = 5 controls
• 3* = 6 controls
• 3* = 7 controls
• 3NT* = 8 controls

Or perhaps the sequence:

1/1 - 1/1 - 2NT - 3* = CONFIT

Where the bid of 2NT=16-18 HCP and the control responses are:

• 3* = 6 at most 6 controls
• 3* = 7 controls
• 3NT* = 8+controls

The CONFIT Convention is a powerful new convention to evaluate slam in either NT or a suit contract. For example suppose:

Opener Q92 AK4 J102 AKJ2

Responder AK Q53 AK864 763

1 - 1 - 2NT - 3*= CONFIT - 3*= 6 controls - 6NT

Example 1 – Finding a suit

Opener KQ9 KQ6 J752 A83

Responder AJ542 A874 A QJ8

1NT* [15-17] - 2 = CONFIT
2 = 4 controls - 2 = 4+ card suit with 1 top honor
2NT* = SSGT - 3 = no shortness
4 = to play - 4NT = 1430
5 = 1/4 - 5 = queen ask
6

Example 2 – Bidding 6NT

Opener 75 AK76 K86 AJ72

Responder AKJ108 Q5 A73 Q43

1NT*[15-17] - 2 = CONFIT
2NT = 6 controls - 3 = 4+ card suit with 2 of top 3 honors
3NT = to play - 4 = Gerber
5 = 2 aces - 5 = king ask
5 = 2 kings - 6NT

Not playing CONFIT the bidding may go

1NT*[15-17] - 2* = transfer to spades
2NT - denies 3 spades - 3NT

Missing the slam – some may instead bid 4NT instead of 2 with 16 HCP, but Most would pass with a minimum and still miss the slam.

Can CONFIT be played with weak NT; yes an example follows.

Example 3 – Weak NT

Opener KJ42 K54 76 AQ64

Responder AQ973 AQ2 AQ J8

1NT[12-14] - 2 = CONFIT
2 = 4 controls - 3 = double jump 2 of top 3 controls
4NT = 1430 - 5 = 0/3
5 = queen ask - 6

Example 4 - 2NT opening

Opener A75 AKJ4 AKJ3 65

Responder K82 Q1072 Q82 AQ8

2NT [20-21] - 3* = CONFIT
3NT* = 8+ controls - 4 = Gerber since 8+3 = 11 controls
4NT= 3 aces - 5 = King ask
5 = 2 Kings - 6NT
Pass - Pass

Example 5 - 2 opening

Opener AKQ AKQ AK732 KQ

Responder J52 10865 65 AJ52

2 - 2* = CONFIT
2*= at most 4 - 4 = Gerber
4 = 1 ace - 6NT

The complete deal follows where West Leads - Q

	J52
	10865
	65
	AJ52
6		1098743
J932		74
QJ10984		void
83		109764
	AKQ
	AKQ
	AK732
	KQ

David Bird (2009, p119), “Somehow we landed in Six Notrump”, Master Point Press. In Bird the bidding went 2 -2 - 2NT - 6NT.