(1x)-p-(p)-? : balance

[kgr]

(1x)-p-(p)-? : balance

We agreed here that bids borrow a King from partner:

- 1NT: 12-14

- DBL: 9+

- DBL and bid NT later: 15-17???

- DBL and bid other suit later: 5-card and 13+ ???

 

- 2x (cue): not in balancing seat we play this as 5-5 in highest suits. Is this still useful in balancing seat?

- 2NT: still usefull to show 2 lowest?

 

(I tried to find an existing treat on this subject but couldn't find it.)

[hotShot]

What are the limits for partner to act in 2nd seat?

 

Opps just missed game and it is very likely they are not in their best fit.

So whenever you act, better be sure to score plus.

 

1♣ - p - p - ?

Now partner would have bid ♦,♥ or ♠ with (4)5+ cards and Y HCP.

If Y can be less than 12 you should not dbl with 9.

 

You should act very solid because most likely opener will benefit more from your reopening.

 

1♠ - p - p - ?

Partner had no 1 level bid left and no 2 level bid he could make.

How strong do you have to be, to have more than combined 20 HCP.

[rbforster]

I don't think it makes sense to play Michaels/Unusual 2NT in balancing. These are usually for weak distributional hands which should happily pass.

 

Here's what I play -

 

takeout bids

X - takeout, could be weak with good shape say 9-10+ pts

cue bid - strong takeout ~17+ and more interested in declaring (doesn't want partner to pass a takeout X)

 

balanced bids

1NT 10-14 bal

X then cheapest NT 15-18 bal

jump to 2NT - 19-22

X then jump in NT - 23-25

 

suit bids

1 of a suit - 5+ suit, limited strength ~9-13

2 of a suit (if 1 not available) - good 5+ suit, about opening hand (similar to direct 2/1 overall)

X, then cheapest suit - 5+ suit and ~14+

X, cue, then suit - very strong single suiter

jump to 2 of a suit - 6+ good suit, ~11-15 (NF intending to make, like a 4th seat "preempt")

jump to 3 of a suit - 7+ good suit, ~16+ (as above)