Sandwich Notrump: Compete with Both Unbid Suits

When your opponents open the bidding and responder bids a new suit at the one level, you’re sitting there with length in both unbid suits. How do you show both suits at once without consuming tons of bidding space? Enter the Sandwich Notrump—one of bridge’s most descriptive competitive tools.

What Is Sandwich Notrump?

The Sandwich Notrump is a conventional 1NT overcall that shows both unbid suits, typically 5-5 or better. It gets its name from the “sandwich position”—you’re making the call after opener’s partner has responded, sandwiched between the two opponents.

Here’s the classic auction where it applies:

LHO - Partner - RHO - You
1♣️ - Pass - 1♠️ - 1NT

Your 1NT bid shows both unbid suits—in this case, ♥️ hearts and ♦️ diamonds—at least 5-5 distribution.

The beauty of this convention is efficiency. Instead of overcalling one suit and hoping to show the other later (if you even get another chance), you describe your entire hand in one bid. Partner immediately knows you have length in both unbid suits and can choose the better fit.

When Does Sandwich Notrump Apply?

Sandwich Notrump specifically applies after this auction pattern:

1X - Pass - 1Y - 1NT

The key requirements:

Opener bids one of a suit (not 1NT)
Partner passes
Responder bids one of a different suit (not a raise, not 1NT)
You bid 1NT

This is different from other situations where 1NT might mean something else:

After 1♣️ - Pass - Pass - 1NT: This is balancing with a notrump hand, not Sandwich.

After 1♥️ - Pass - 1NT - 1NT: Can’t happen—responder already bid 1NT.

After 1♦️ - 1♠️ - 2♦️ - 2NT: This would be Unusual Notrump (direct position), not Sandwich.

The “sandwich” specifically refers to being caught between opener and responder after they’ve each bid a suit.

Requirements for Sandwich Notrump

Don’t just bid Sandwich Notrump because you have cards in the unbid suits. You need:

Distribution: 5-5 Minimum

At least five cards in each unbid suit. Some players stretch with 5-4 in a pinch, but that’s asking for trouble. With 5-5, you’re on solid ground. With 6-5 or better, you’re in great shape—partner can usually pick a decent spot.

Strength: 6-12 HCP Typically

This isn’t a strong bid. You’re competing, not inviting game. Most Sandwich Notrump bids are in the 8-11 HCP range. With 13+ HCP and 5-5 in the unbid suits, you’d typically start with a takeout double or overcall your better suit, planning to bid the other one.

Quality: Decent Suits

While you don’t need two aces and kings, you want playable suits. KJ765 and QJ874 is fine. 87532 and J8642 is not. Remember, partner might have to choose between your suits with equal length—you don’t want both to be garbage.

Vulnerability Matters

White vs. red? Be aggressive. Red vs. white? Exercise caution. The Law of Total Tricks usually protects you with 5-5 distribution, but you don’t want to go for -800 when they can’t make game.

Partner’s Responses

When partner hears your Sandwich 1NT, life is simple: pick a suit. With equal length, pick the stronger one or the one that offers better game prospects.

Simple Preference: 2♦️/2♥️

Shows 2-3 cards in the suit, no special strength. Just picking a spot. You’ll pass and play there.

Jump Preference: 3♦️/3♥️

Shows 4+ card support and invitational values (10-11 points). You’re inviting game despite the opponents’ bidding. With extras (maximum high cards, 6-5 shape), you can accept. Otherwise, pass.

Cue Bid: 2♠️ (Opponent’s Suit)

Shows game interest with good support for at least one of your suits. You bid your better suit at the three level, and partner picks the final contract. This is rare but useful when partner has a powerhouse opposite your minimum.

2NT or Higher

Generally played as natural or as pick-a-slam, depending on partnership agreements. These sequences don’t come up often—if partner has that much, opponents probably don’t belong in the auction.

Passing 1NT

Don’t. Just don’t. Your 1NT is artificial showing two suits, not natural. Partner must bid something, even with a weak hand. The pass would leave you in 1NT when you might not have a single stopper.

Sandwich Notrump vs. Unusual 2NT

Bridge players often confuse these two conventions. Here’s the key distinction:

Sandwich Notrump: 1NT in the passout seat after both opponents bid at the one level. Shows the two unbid suits, 5-5.

Unusual 2NT: 2NT overcall in direct seat after an opening bid. Shows the two lowest unbid suits, 5-5.

Example distinctions:

After 1♠️ - 2NT: Unusual Notrump showing ♣️ clubs and ♦️ diamonds
After 1♠️ - Pass - 1NT - 2NT: Also Unusual, showing ♣️ clubs and ♦️ diamonds
After 1♠️ - Pass - 2♣️ - 2NT: Unusual, showing ♥️ hearts and ♦️ diamonds

After 1♣️ - Pass - 1♠️ - 1NT: Sandwich Notrump showing ♥️ hearts and ♦️ diamonds
After 1♦️ - Pass - 1♥️ - 1NT: Sandwich showing ♠️ spades and ♣️ clubs

Another key difference: Unusual 2NT is typically a bit stronger (8-12 or 14+, avoiding the 13 HCP range where you’d double). Sandwich 1NT can be lighter since you’re at the one level.

Example Auctions with Full Hands

Example 1: Classic Sandwich

West - North - East - South
1♣️ - Pass - 1♠️ - 1NT
Pass - 2♥️ - Pass - Pass
Pass

South’s Hand:

♠️ 7 4
♥️ K J 8 6 5
♦️ A Q 9 7 4
♣️ 3

Perfect Sandwich shape: 5-5 in the unbid suits (♥️/♦️), 9 HCP. North chooses hearts with three-card support, and you play 2♥️. Even if it goes down one, opponents likely make 2♠️ or 3♣️, so you’ve pushed them around or found your own playable spot.

Example 2: Invitational Jump

West - North - East - South
1♦️ - Pass - 1♥️ - 1NT
Pass - 3♠️ - Pass - Pass
Pass

South’s Hand:

♠️ A Q J 7 5
♥️ 4
♦️ 8 2
♣️ K Q 10 8 6

North’s Hand:

♠️ K 9 6 4
♥️ 9 6
♦️ K J 7
♣️ A 7 5 4

South shows ♠️ spades and ♣️ clubs. North has 11 HCP with four spades and four clubs—perfect. The jump to 3♠️ invites game. With minimum values and only five spades, South passes. 3♠️ makes comfortably while opponents can make 2♥️.

Example 3: Wrong Vulnerability

West - North - East - South
1♣️ - Pass - 1♠️ - Pass

South’s Hand:

♠️ 4
♥️ Q 10 8 6 4
♦️ J 9 7 5 3
♣️ 7 2

This is 5-5 in the unbid suits, but look at the quality. Both suits are terrible, you only have 4 HCP, and if you’re vulnerable while they’re not, the risk-reward is awful. Pass and defend. Sometimes discretion beats system.

Example 4: Maximum Sandwich

West - North - East - South
1♦️ - Pass - 1♥️ - 1NT
Pass - 2♠️ - Pass - 3♣️
Pass - 4♠️ - Pass - Pass
Pass

South’s Hand:

♠️ K Q J 7 6
♥️ 5
♦️ 9 4
♣️ A Q J 8 5

North’s Hand:

♠️ A 10 9 4
♥️ K 8 3
♦️ K Q 8
♣️ K 6 3

South has a maximum Sandwich: 12 HCP, excellent suits, 5-5 shape. North cue-bids 2♠️ (the opponent’s suit) showing game interest. South bids 3♣️, showing five clubs but suggesting spades is better (with equal or better clubs, you’d bid 3♠️). North, with four spades and game values, bids 4♠️. It makes on the nose—ten tricks.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Bidding Sandwich with 5-4

You have five hearts and four diamonds after 1♣️ - Pass - 1♠️. Don’t bid 1NT. Overcall 2♥️ instead. Sandwich promises 5-5. Fudging this gets partner into bad contracts.

Mistake 2: Confusing It with Natural 1NT

This happens when partnerships haven’t discussed the convention. Partner thinks you have 15-18 balanced and passes. You’re in 1NT with 9 HCP and two five-card suits. Disaster. Discuss Sandwich Notrump explicitly with partners.

Mistake 3: Too Strong

You have 14 HCP with 5-5 in the unbid suits. Don’t bid Sandwich 1NT—that shows a competitive hand, not an opening hand. Start with a takeout double, then bid your suits to show extras.

Mistake 4: Terrible Suits

5-5 distribution doesn’t mean automatic action. J8643 and 97542 is begging for a penalty double. Show some restraint.

Mistake 5: Wrong Auction

After 1♥️ - Pass - 2♣️ - 1NT, you’re bidding natural notrump (or possibly Unusual, depending on agreements), not Sandwich. Sandwich requires both opponents to bid at the one level.

Partnership Agreements

Before using Sandwich Notrump, nail down these partnership agreements:

Range

Agree on high card strength. Most play 6-12 HCP, with the sweet spot at 8-11. Clarify what you do with stronger hands (usually takeout double).

Distribution

5-5 minimum or will you stretch with 5-4? Be on the same page. Most experts play strict 5-5.

Responses

Are jumps invitational? Is a cue bid game-forcing or just invitational? What does 2NT mean? Discuss these before they come up at the table.

When It’s “On”

Does Sandwich apply in all one-level auctions, or do you turn it off in certain situations? Some partnerships exclude it after 1♣️ - Pass - 1♦️ (too little space) or play it only non-vulnerable. Define your scope.

Defense

If opponents play Sandwich, how do you defend? Double of 1NT for penalty? Pass-or-correct responses mean you might double their forced response for penalty. Know your counter-strategy.

The Bottom Line

Sandwich Notrump is a scalpel, not a hammer. Use it when you have 5-5 in the unbid suits, decent values, and a competitive edge. It solves the age-old problem of two-suited hands in competition—showing both suits immediately without consuming bidding space or risking getting shut out.

Master this tool, discuss it thoroughly with your partners, and you’ll find yourself competing more effectively when opponents open and respond. Just remember: you need the distribution, the values, and the judgment to know when to sandwich and when to fold.

Now get out there and start jamming up their auctions with both your suits at once.