First, determine the suit to play. Then detemine the contract level to play.
The opener has 25-27 HCPs, enough for a game in No Trump without support from the partner.
As soon as the opener bids 3 NT , the partner becomes the "captain" of the partnership. Since the 3 NT opening bid is so specific (25 to 27 HCPs, no 5-card major and balanced), the partner combines the knowledge of its own hand with the opener's hand, and deduces the approximate combined point count range of the partnership. The partner also has a good idea of which suit and contract level the partnership will play. The partner will steer the bidding toward the final contract in one of three paths.
Initial Strategy - The opener's balanced hand will have a 2, 3, and/or a 4-card major suit. The partner will try to determine if there is an 8-card major suit fit with one of those major suits.
• First, Path 1, if the partner has a 5+card major suit, there will be enough cards for the partnership to play a contract in that major suit.
• Second, Path 2, if the partner only has a 4-card major suit, it is still possible to play a major suit contract.
• And last, Path 3, if the partner does not have a 4+card major suit, the partnership will play a No Trump contract or a minor suit contract.
Initial Responses for 3 NT Opening
Path 1:5+card major If the partner has a 5+card major, the partner will use the TRANSFER Convention to identify the suit with the 8-card fit. For details, visit the TRANSFERS (3NT) web page.
Path 2:4-card major If the partner does not have a 5+card major, but does have a 4-card major, the partner will use the STAYMAN Convention to seek an 8-card fit in a major. For details, visit the the STAYMAN (3NT) web page.
Path 3:NO 4+card major If the partner does NOT have a 4+card major, the partner will abandon the search for a major suit contract, and will explore a contract in No Trump or in a minor suit. For details, visit the NO 4-card Major (3NT) web page.
If the partner has 8+ HCPs there are enough combined points for a slam. Bid 4 NT - Blackwood Convention - asking for the number of opener's aces. Visit the web page on Invitation to Slam.