Against Weak NT (2)

[adhoc3]

Continuing last thread: http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showtopic=11449 for easy reading.

 

1NT---dbl---pass---

As many pointed out, a fight in dark(or mud) started. It just like a game that everyone holds a flyswatter, watching each other, who start to run away is a fly. When has nothing worth bidding, it’s just fine sitting there holding flyswatter. But when opps equiped with some kind of safe-landing device, what would you do with the following hands:

 

1NT--------dbl--------pass[1]------pass[2]

[1]Forcing to redoule, kind of threat

A1) KQxxx Kxxxx xx x_________B1) QJxxx Kxxxx xx x

A2) KQxx Axxx x xxxx_________B2) KQxx xxxx x xxxx

A3) KJTxx x Axxx xxx__________B3) JTxxx x Axxx xxx

A4) xxx KQTxx Axxx x_________B4) xxx QJTxx Kxxx x

A5) x xx KQxxx KJxxx_________B5) x xx Kxxxx Qxxxx

Group A are nice hands, but not enough FG. Group B are weaker hands, keen on part score. If you pass[2], the bidding probably will goes:

 

1NT--------dbl--------pass[1]------pass[2]

XX*(relay)--pass[3]---2D*---------pass[4] *Edit: as Robert said.

2H(4+)----????[5]----pass---------????[6]

[1]Forcing

*(say D+higher, 44)

[2] Bid something here will be runaway, or ‘to play’. Partner could be not strong enough to bid here[3], or dbl again. [4] When you want to cut in here, a lot of spaces have been consumed. Would be definitely too late to cut in here[6]. When opps bid higher suit after [3], will you still have T/O dbl available?

[Robert]

Hi everyone

 

Good question and some very good example hands. :D

 

What methods are being played? Is 'pass' forcing to a redouble? How did the 2C* reply suddenly become a relay? Wasn't his partner supposed to XX here?

 

[1] A threat against weaker players. The NT pair cannot play 1NT Xed and have to seek out a fit at the two level 'without' a known 8 card fit. The Xing pair should be 'waiting' with open arms. :blink:

 

I play a double as 15+ here, so I respond as 'if' to a 15-17NT(modified somewhat)

I normally play 4 suit transfers, but want to keep the NT bidder on lead if possible.

 

A1 3D=5-5 majors(will bid more)

B1 3D=5-5 majors(will pass next)

 

A2 2C=stayman and show '0-1'

diamonds next

 

B2 2C=stayman(Garbage if 2D-2H next)

 

A3 2S 5+ natural inv. B3 Pass and 2Ss is sign off

 

A4 2H 5+ natural inv. B4 Pass and 2Hs is sign off

 

A5 3H=MSS 0-1 Hs(5-5)

with 5431 use Stayman and

show shortness later

B5 3C=5-5 minors weak

Pass or correct

 

I play TO doubles from both sides of the table whether I opened the 1NT bid or Xed for penatly. This includes 2Hs, the jury is still out on 2SX. At MPs I think that

it should still be takeout, at IMPs it is more dangerous so...?

 

This is against weak NTs. I play Lionel vs strong NTs, so X would have shown

Ss and a lower suit.

 

Regards,

Robert

[awm]

A1) KQxxx Kxxxx xx x_________B1) QJxxx Kxxxx xx x

With both these hands I'd try a 3♦ cue over 2♦. I'd like to bid game in our better major fit, and I'm not particularly interested in defending a minor suit contract.

 

A2) KQxx Axxx x xxxx_________B2) KQxx xxxx x xxxx

Both of these are an easy double of 2♦. Partner can convert if he wants. Otherwise I will raise partner to game on A2 and pass partner's bid on B2 (unless a jump).

 

A3) KJTxx x Axxx xxx__________B3) JTxxx x Axxx xxx

On A3 I will double 2♥ at third turn (takeout) planning to rebid 3♠ if partner bids a minor at the three level. On B3 I will bid 2♠ at second turn, unless my diamond spots merit defending a diamond contract; if the auction's still alive by the time we get to 2♥ on B3 I would double here as well.

 

A4) xxx KQTxx Axxx x_________B4) xxx QJTxx Kxxx x

I'd be very surprised if partner didn't double 2♥ when I hold these hands, which would allow me to defend. There's a good chance that on B4 I'd have tried 2♥ over 2♦ though, especially if my diamond spots are not good enough to convert partner's takeout double of diamonds.

 

A5) x xx KQxxx KJxxx_________B5) x xx Kxxxx Qxxxx

I'm quite surprised partner didn't double 2♣ for takeout. Since he didn't, I'll try 3♣ on B5 when 2♥ comes around to me in balancing seat. I'm not going to double because the spades have to be somewhere (most likely partner's hand) and I think it's more likely partner bids some large number of spades than not. On A5 I will bid 3♥ over 2♥.

 

In most cases my strategy is to reach a good contract of our own, not to "get them" all the time at the risk of exchanging our normal game for +300 or the like. On the other hand, when holding a balanced or three-suited hand type I will often double for takeout and let partner convert it.