Serious 3NT Serious 3NT Serious 3NT is a contract bridge bidding convention. It is used in game-forcing auctions where a major suit has been agreed upon. 1–2 if using 2/1 Game Forcing or 2–3 (Agreeing spades) The next bid indicates suitability for slam: Since Spades are the agreed 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
Bidding box placed over the bidding cards attaching to the box base. A bridge auction consists of a sequence of "calls" (a bid, pass, double, or redouble) made by each player in turn, until it is concluded by a sequence of three consecutive passes. With the transition from auction bridge to modern contract bridge, the bidding has become more complex, and conventional auctions often last through several rounds of bidding. Such long auctions are hard to memorize and review. In addition, oral bidding causes noise in tournament halls, and auctions can be easily overheard at the other tables. Bidding boxes were invented