Serious 3NT and Last Train

Further refines the slam range. Is only used when a major is agreed on at the 3lvl or lower and in a game force situation where a slam isn't already ruled out

You can pass serious NT and bid Last train so you can show you have a hand at the low range but not the worst hand but no first or second round controls to bid

If your partner passes serious but then you bid last train it shows the higher range as they have already showed they couldn't bid serious NT so you would need extra values to show any interest

You must always bid controls and don't just bid 3NT or last train to show points

 

Last train can probably be used in a minor situation as well but might need some consideration

 

Examples

If hearts is agreed (assuming in this example that 1h was opened 11-15)

 

 

3♠ - First or second round control no information on points

 

3NT - Serious NT

  • No spade control
  • 13(+)-15 HCP in example of opener in 2/1 would be more like >15(+) HCP
  • rule for other ranges if you are in the top 50% of range your hands you could have you can invoke serious NT

 

 

4♣ - First or Second round control

  • Bypassed Serious NT
  • No spade control
  • Lower range (11-12) not serious about slam partner would need to have a better hand 2/1 is more like 12-15(-) HCP

 

 

4♦ - Last Train

  • No spade or club control
  • Lower range (11-12) not serious but don't have the worst hand in this example
  • Says nothing about a diamond control
    • 4NT - Lackwood
      • Lackwood is only invoked if Last train has been triggered

 

 

4♥ - Worst hand (10-12) and probably flat 2/1 would be 11-12 points

  • Described as “The Pits”

 

4♠ - Kickback RKC

 

 

 

 

If Spades is agreed (assuming opened 11-15)

 

 

3NT - Serious NT

  • 13-15 HCP in example of opener in 2/1 would be more like 15(+)+
  • rule for others if you are in the top 50% of the hands you should invoke serious NT

 

 

4♣ - First or Second round control

  • Lower range (11-12) not serious about slam partner would need to have a better hand

 

 

4♦ - First or Second round control

  • No club control
  • Lower range (11-12) not serious about slam partner would need to have a better hand

 

 

4♥ - Last Train

  • No diamond or club control
  • Lower range (11-12) not serious but don't have the worst hand
  • Says nothing about a heart control
    • 5♣ Lackwood
      • Lackwood is only invoked if last train is used

 

 

4♠ - Worst hand (10-12) and probably flat 2/1 would be 11-12 points

  • Described as “Pits”

 

 

4NT - Kickback RKC

 

If last train hasn't been used any jump shift is exclusion blackwood. Anything above lackwood bid is exclusion blackwood this could be at the 5 lvl

 

With Interference past game 

 

If you are in a major and someone sacrifice in a minor and last train is available at the 5lvl can be used to shows: “interest in slam but can't do it on my own”, that leaves a sign off of 5M and double for possible penalty conversion