Hello.

First things first, core players for league please try to go for every game, be it postponed or not. Walkover isn't a good thing not only on our score but our reputation. Not very nice right make people go down all the way then end up do nothing. I already stated at the very start that this thing will last for one year through your exams and stuff, and if you can't commit then don't join. If you want to play then gotta play throughout. Postpone as many times as you want but don't give a walkover. If you wanna know when we're due to play, check http://www.bridgeleague.net/.

Anyway, I promised I'll post something educational, so here it is.

NEW MINOR FORCING or NMF

Background: Essentially, this convention allows you to find 5-3 or 6-2 major fits after opener rebids a minimum 1NT or 2X where X is the suit opened.

Problems without NMF: Suppose you hold an 11 point hand with 5card H and the auction goes 1D-1H-1NT. How are you going to bid? 2H shows 6-9points, while 3H promises 6+ H. Another scenario. You hold a 15point hand with 6+ H and the auction goes the same way. No way you can gameforce and show your hearts at the same time.

Meaning of NMF: Opener does not have to know what responder has, only answer accordingly. Usage of NMF will show at least an invitational hand (10-12points) with one 5+ major. Does not promise anything in the new minor suit.

Examples of NMF: Alertable. 1C-1S-1NT-2D!/1D-1S-2D-3C!/1C-1H-2C-2D!
Note - If NMF takes you to the 3 level then you need to have a gameforcing hand at least.
-Responder MUST respond at level 1.
-There is no NMF for opener. 1H-1NT-2C is not NMF.
-There is no NMF for minors. E.g. 1C-1D-1NT- You don't NMF to show 5+ Ds. It's only for majors. 2H/2S will be a reverse hand, very strong and probably 6-5 D-H/S
-1H-1S-1NT- Either 2C or 2D can be used as NMF but tie down with your partner what does each mean. Recommends: Use one as NMF and the other as natural or undefine it. OR Use both as NMF but bid your better minor. I.e. if you bid 2C as NMF your clubs are better than diamonds but no specific rules to what clubs you must hold.

Priorities of responses to NMF:
1) Show 3card major support for p's major.
2) Show your other 4card major.
3) Rebid NT to show none of 1 & 2. Balanced. Doesn't need a stopper in the artificial suit.
4) Bid the NMF suit to gameforce, which is rare.
5) Rebid your own suit if longer/no better bid

1,2 & 3 will usually cover everything. Don't show unnecessary information unless the first three options are absolutely unsuitable.

Since your hand is limited to 12-15, NMF also allows opener to distinguish between the lower and upper ranges. When choosing any of the above options, if you bid it at the lowest level, it shows 12-13 points while if you jump a level it shows 14-15 and gameforcing, since partner should have 10+ at least. E.g. 1D-1S-1NT-2C!- 2S will show exactly 3 (you would have supported 2S if you had 4, or opened 1S if you had 5.) carded spades 12-13 while 3S will show 14-15 with 3card spades. A little hard to use this if NMF is at level 3.

Other variations of NMF: 1C-1H-2NT-3D!/ 1H-1S-2NT-3C!/ 1D-1S-2NT-3C!
These will be gameforcing.

Responders dilemma solved:
How to show -
4H4S: Bid 1H if p did not bid 1S the problem is solved.
5S4H invitational: Bid 1S and NMF. If p did not do either 1/2 (above) major fit is out.
5S4H GF: Similar. Just that you jump to 3NT.
5H4S invitational: Bid 1H and NMF. P already denies 4card spade.
5H4S GF: Same. Just that you jump to 3NT if no major fit.
5S5H invitational: Bid 1S and jump shift 3H. No NMF here.
5S5H GF: Bid 1S and NMF. If p denies any 3card S and 4card H bid Hs again to show 5-5.
6+ any major: NMF and rebid the major again if p denies 3cards. Lowest level invitational, jump a level gameforcing.

Special cases: 1C-1H-2NT-?
2NT can contain 4card spades and is gameforcing.
3C-support (rare)
3D-NMF, 5+ H
3H-6+ H
3S-at least 4-4 in majors.
4C-slam interest in clubs
4D-6+diamonds slam interest?
4H/S-to play

1C-1S-2NT-?
3C-support, rare
3D-NMF, 5+ S
3H-at least 5-4 S-H (with 4-4 bid 1H first)
3S-6+ S

Alright I'm done. Try to digest bit by bit.