Practice on Cuebids
Direct practice for this topic is not mapped yet. Use Cuebids scenarios to build hands for this agreement.
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Systems
Last updated
2026-08-01
What is New Minor Forcing?
New Minor Forcing is most often taught after opener starts with one of a minor, responder bids a major, and opener rebids 1NT. Responder bids the unbid minor artificially to ask for more information.
The main goal is to find delayed three-card support for responder’s major or an unbid four-card major. Responder usually has five cards in the first major when checking for three-card support, or four cards in the other major when searching for a 4-4 fit.
Many partnerships also use New Minor Forcing after 1-1-1NT, choosing an agreed minor as the artificial ask. A similar checkback applies at the three level after a strong 2NT rebid, where the ask is normally game forcing. These additional auctions need explicit agreement.
Responder checks back
- 2 is artificial in New Minor Forcing methods and promises nothing in diamonds.
- Responder asks opener to describe major support and shape.
Opener priorities
Opener usually shows three-card support for responder’s major, an unbid four-card major, or minimum versus maximum strength according to partnership structure.
In one common scheme, opener bids the other major with four cards, raises responder’s major with three-card support, and otherwise makes the cheapest natural bid or 2NT. In that scheme, jumps in the same strains show a maximum 1NT rebid. Other reply priorities and minimum-maximum methods must be agreed.
Maximum with support
- The jump to 3 shows three-card spade support and a maximum in many structures.
- A simple 2 would show the same support with a minimum.
Responder follow-ups
Responder uses New Minor Forcing with a plan: find three-card support, locate a 4-4 major fit, invite game, or set up a game force. After opener answers, responder should place the contract or continue naturally.
Two-Way Checkback methods split invitational and game-forcing hands more cleanly, but they also replace simple New Minor Forcing agreements. Do not mix both methods in the same auction without deciding which takes priority.
- Invitational hands often use NMF to decide between part-score and game.
- Game-forcing hands can use NMF before choosing notrump, a major, or a minor game.
- If responder bids the fourth suit later, define whether it is natural, artificial, or stopper-oriented.
New Minor Forcing examples
The most common use is checking whether opener has delayed support for responder’s major after rebidding 1NT. The same convention can also uncover the other major.
Finding three-card spade support
- 2 is artificial New Minor Forcing.
- Opener's 2 shows delayed three-card support in many methods.
Finding four hearts
- Some structures make opener show an unbid four-card heart suit before three-card spade support.
- Opener's priorities must be agreed.
Responder places notrump
- After opener denies the needed major fit or extra shape, responder can place game in notrump.
- The artificial new minor helped avoid missing a 5-3 major fit.
Responder hand examples
New Minor Forcing needs at least invitational intent in standard methods. Weak hands usually rebid naturally or pass.
Direct rebids stay natural when responder skips the checkback: two of the major is weak and to play, 2NT invites in notrump, and jump rebids of the major are invitational with six cards in most styles.
Classic NMF hand
- After 1 - 1 - 1NT, responder wants to know about three-card spade support.
- Bid the unbid minor as artificial New Minor Forcing.
Natural weak rebid instead
- Responder had enough for 1 but holds only a weak six-card spade suit.
- Rebidding spades naturally is usually better than forcing with the new minor.
Common mistakes
- Treating the new minor as natural.
- Using New Minor Forcing without invitational or better values unless the partnership has a weak option.
- Failing to define opener's priorities with both three-card support and an unbid major.
FAQ
Is New Minor Forcing forcing?
Yes. Standard New Minor Forcing is at least forcing for one round.
Is it the same as Checkback Stayman?
They solve a similar problem. Exact structures differ, especially in two-way checkback methods.
Does New Minor Forcing apply by a passed hand or in competition?
Only by agreement. Most partnerships turn it off after interference, and passed-hand use varies, so discuss both cases.