pmg Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 Hi all, I want to choose a defense against opps' NT to integrate into my basic sayc. I've read the names of a lot of them, but have no idea which method is best for a beginner/intermediate player. Any ideas, please? Maybe the best thing would be to read *ALL* of them and be able to use the one partner likes more ... but for the time being I prefer to think my partner knows them all and is happy to play the one I know :) And if it's not asking too much, Why do you recommend one convention instead of another?What are the pros and cons of the most used ones? Disclaimer: I do not want to start a war "ASTRO vs CAPP vs CRASH vs DONT vs TRASH vs ... vs ..." (conventions in alphabetical order :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrothgar Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 Comment 1: Learning defense XYZ is probably less important than getting a good feel regarding the types of hands that should interfer over the opponents NT openings. You need to determine (a) What types of hands that you feel comfortable overcalling on(B) What types of hands your partner is going to expect you to overcall on. Once you are able to define what style works best for you, it should be pretty easy to switch between DONT, Cappelleti, Brozel or whatever else parter prefers. The biggest difference in style is probably whether or not a 4432 hand can be considered two suited. I'm perfectly happy playing 4-3 fits at the two level. Accordingly, I'm perfectly happy overcalling on a 4432 hand, particular if I am using an overcall structure like Lionel where partner immediately knows what suits I hold. The second big difference is whether a 5332 hand is worth showing as a single suited hand. I hate 5332s. I can't recall the last time I was willing to overcall a 1NT opening holding one. In any case, most people play some combination of DONT and/or Capp.I'd recommend learning one of these. Hrothgar (who plays Lionel) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inquiry Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 Hi. I am going to make a recommendation for you. Play DONT (disturb opponents notrump). If you don't know dont, I recommend the following link. http://www.bridgeguys.com/Conventions/DONT.html Pay particular attention to the meaning of auctions like... (1NT)-2D-(P)-2NT!!! <<--- Why do I recommend DONT for beginners/Intermediates? you can play any fit at the two level, including 2C or 2D. You probably should not be encouraged to play a system where 1NT-x might get left in very often. DONT is simple to play and easy to remember. And, most important, it is reasonable effective. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 I usually play DONT (against strong NT). Why? Because it's quite agressive and you can bid any 44+ at 2-level (but we don't bid ANY 4-4), a singlesuited hand,... The only disadvantage of DONT is when you have a 5-card major and a 4-card minor. Normally partner will pass your 2X bid, because he has a shortage in a higher suit. This way you can miss a 5-3 or even 5-4 fit major... But that is also an advantage in other cases where opponents still bid. Then your second suit is still unknown and they might even play in your second suit. Another very much played defense against 1NT where I live is multi-landy. That's:Dbl = singlesuiter minor (OR strong in major)2C = 44+M2D = weak-2M2M = 5-card and 4+mI'm not so excited about this one, because the 4-4s are left out (except majors), it's less agressive but more solid. All singlesuiters are available, and the disadvantage of DONT where you have a 5-card M is solved. Also, after a 2D intervention, opponents don't know your suit (but they will normally bid a major from 5-card), and your partner can surprise-pass (advantages of the mini-multi).Some players play 2M-intervention normal overcall (5-card)... Free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishovnbg Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Hi! So many conventions after 1NT exists, because it take too much bidding space both for opps and for p. Main problem is to not miss major fit, where distributional game is possible. For beginner/intermediate player is better to choose convention, where 4 or 5 major is simple shown, to solve problem most easy. I recommend you to learn and play Astro. Later you can to switch to better one, like DONT. Misho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulg Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 For a beginner/int, I think that you should keep it really simple so I suggest: Dbl = penalties, typically a point about the top of their range2C = majors, at least nine cards2D = natural, typically 6-card2H/S = natural, typically 6-card suit It is worth looking at DONT and Capp, not that I recommend them but many will use them against your 1NT. I was always taught that DONT stood for when to use the convention :-) (despite being a follower of Lawrence) As hrothgar says, it is important to know when to bid. Be aggressive against weak NT, have distribution against the strong NT. Cheers paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmg Posted September 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 Thank you for your answers. For the time being I will stick with Landy (as per BridgeBase Basic system) and try Capp/DONT when partner wants to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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