perko90

Interesting! I'm working on a system that also opens 1♣ on the exact same hands you do. Although my 1M rebids are semi natural, but often a 4-card suit (thus, 4-4-4-1 hands aren't a problem at all). 1♥ rebid asks for a Kokish style relay to 1♠. The rest is beyond the point of this thread, but maybe I can start a new one.

I've played a lot of weak NT in a 2/1 system. There's a lot of advice already, and I agree with a lot, but disagree with some. First, I've found that weak NT is a big winner. The chance of "going for a number" is way overblown. You'll pick up 5x the tops from doubling 2 lvl contracts that no one else can for every time you take a big loss. Missing 4-4 major fits is real and does happen a fair bit, but probably just as often you keep the opponents out of their fits, too. And then the improvement of other auctions is wonderful. Inverted minor auctions are a dream. And while some have pointed out the difficulties of showing your str NT when the opp's interfere, it isn't so bad usually. Anyway, here's my pointers: 1) especially at MP, don't include 5-card majors in your weak NT openers (unless they're rags - Jxxxx or worse) This creates a bit of a problem w/ 1H-1S auctions, where there can be only 1 range for the 1NT rebid with the other having to bid a 3-card minor, but it's worth this little inconvenience to be "with the field" on your 1M openers. 2) Do NOT play a run-out system where you can't play 1NTx (some of the "pass demands a redouble" systems are like that). BTW, you NEVER get to play 1NTXX - they ALWAYS run! I know; I used to play it! Instead, I recommend XX shows the strong hand right away so opener can wield the ax w/ confidence when 4th hand bids. The key runout bid by responder is Pass = doubt. Opener bids a 5-card suit if they have one or redoubles w/ TWO 4-card suits (starting a scramble) and PASSES with all 4-3-3-3 hands (you'll be happy to be playing 1NTX instead of 2 of your likely 4-3 fit doubled). Heck, 1NTX down 1 NV can even be a very nice score. 3) consider 2-way NMF instead of the vanilla NMF version. Ptr will be looking for slams more often when your 1NT rebid shows 15-17 and you need some tools. But it isn't critical and can wait to be worked in. 4) I definitely recommend playing 15-17 in 4th seat and 3rd seat Vul. A weak NT in 4th seat is surely safe enough, but it's not the best way to reach the right partial. And unlike the earlier seats, it doesn't really preempt the opps because they can bid those 2-suited overcalls more freely and can use DBL as artificial. And yes, the 15-17 NT is more frequent in 4th seat. 5) the recommendation earlier to use short club so that all balanced hands of 15-19 HCPs are opened 1C is a good one. I'd also recommend bumping up the range of 1NT response to 1C to 8-11 or so. Also, having the 1D opener an unbalanced hand w/ 4+ D's is a nice advantage - let's you rebid 1NT w/ a misfit for ptr's M. Like 1D-1S; 1NT with 1-4-4-4 shape. 6) I'm neutral about playing Xfers or not with weak NT (I've done it both ways). But if you're starting out, it's probably easiest to use 'em for the familiarity factor. But if you decide not to play them, I recommend Murray 2D instead of the more popular (but not very useful) "Forcing Stayman." Have fun! They're super fun to play. And you'll get plenty of practice from almost any session.