1M or 1NT opening?

[cnszsun]

I know many people will open 1NT, rather than 1M with 5-3-3-2 balanced hand.

I find it's useful especially in 2/1 system, because you always have the following bidding process if you open 1M with a 5332 and 15-17hcp hand:

1M - 1NT

2x - 2M

2NT- P

You have to play 2NT, rather than 1NT if your partner has only 6-7hcp; or 5-2 fit 2M which maynot be better than 1NT.

What i want to know is:

1) Do you always open 1NT with such hand or Do you have other specific requirements for your decision?

2) Do you use puppet stayman at the same time so that your partner has chance to find your possible 5 cards major, or just hide it?

[the hog]

1) Do you always open 1NT with such hand or Do you have other specific requirements for your decision?

2) Do you use puppet stayman at the same time so that your partner has chance to find your possible 5 cards major, or just hide it?

 

1) We always open 5332 with 1N if in the NT range. (Even some 5422s, though this is rare.)

 

2). No, we relay with strong hands, else hide the 5M.

 

Ron

[irdoz]

Here's a few reasons to open 1nt sometimes with 5M...

 

1. It's more likely the strong hand will be declarer

2. When partner has a minimum hand (but still enough for a forcing 1nt response) it keeps the bidding a level lower as they will pass 1nt

3. After 1h-2h with a balanced 17 you will often invite game by bidding 2nt anyway... only to go off in 3h (particularly when construcive raises go through forcing 1nt).

 

In deciding whether to open 5-3-3-2 15-17 1nt or 1M

 

a) I tend to make a judgement based on the hand..

 

For example Axx Axxxx Axx Kx looks like a hand to play in a suit whereas..

 

QJ9 QJ10xx AQx Kx looks like a 1nt hand.

 

;) If the hand doesn't scream 1nt or 1M then I use the following rule of thumb..

With 17 open 1M and rebid 2nt over 1nt

With (14)15-16 I open 1nt

With (14)15 and hearts I open 1h and rebid 1nt over a 1s response

 

 

I don't play puppet over 1nt.

[inquiry]

I typical open 1NT, and no, I don't use puppet stayman over 1NT (but do over natural 2NT type bids).

 

Ben

[luis]

I hate 1NT with 5 card majors unless the major suit is really very bad (Jxxxx, or Txxxx or worst)

[flytoox]

I remembered i read somewhere that when you open 1N with 5-card major, u shold also have 3-card in another major. This is because otherwise u may play 5-2 fit major while there is another 5-3 fit major.

 

Another issue, if your major suit quality is good, then consider NT. if it is bad, then should open suit, as it will provide more tricks in suit contract.

 

 

fly

[Trpltrbl]

1) Do you always open 1NT with such hand or Do you have other specific requirements for your decision?

 

2) Do you use puppet stayman at the same time so that your partner has chance to find your possible 5 cards major, or just hide it?

1) I open, when I play 15-17 NT, 1 NT with a bad 5 card M or a very good 5 card M. Something like Jxxxx or AKQ10x.

 

2) I do use use puppetstayman over most of my NT openers, except 10-12 NT.

 

Mike ;)

[Free]

Yes I always open 1NT with a 5 card Major, just to show the HCP range. The biggest problem (which doesn't acure much) is when you have a doubleton in the other Major, and partner just transfers. Then you might play in a 5-2 fit while a 5-3 fit is available. Nevertheless, I still open with a 5-2-3-3 or a 2-5-3-3.

 

And yes, I use Puppet Stayman, but as 3C-bid. 2C is still reserved as relay to ask the entire shape, which can also find the 5 card (but it gives away too much info when no slam ambition). 2C also contains garbage stayman.

 

To find a possible 5-3 fit in the Major opener has, we use the 2NT trf bid for D, to show partner D or FG with 5-3 Major. This way, partner can descide to play 3NT or 4M, whatever he likes the most. The scheme goes as follows:

 

1NT - 2NT   Trf D or FG with 5-3M
3m* - 3M    3M-5OM

* 3C promisses a tophonour D
 3D promisses no tophonour D

 

This way, we never miss our 5-3 fit in a Major when playing game, but sometimes in a partscore...

[the hog]

So Luis, what do you bid with

Kx

AKxxx

QTx

KJx

Over 1H - 1S if you are playing 2/1?

 

To bid 1N is ok if you are playing a wide range NT with checkback, but if you aren't....

[cnszsun]

Another issue, if your major suit quality is good, then consider NT. if it is bad, then should open suit, as it will provide more tricks in suit contract.

 

I see there are some different opinions on how major suit quality influences the opening decision.

Personaly, i think bad major suit quality is not suitable for suit contract because you can't avoid your trump losers, but if your are in NT contract, maybe you can get enough tricks from other suits.

[luke warm]

playing 15-17 nt i almost always open 1nt when the shape is suitable, regardless of where the 5 card suit is.. and yes, i play puppet over 1nt (when i can find someone who will)

[Free]

(when i can find someone who will)

Yeah, but you want to play 1NT 10-13 :D :D

[luke warm]

(when i can find someone who will)

Yeah, but you want to play 1NT 10-13 :P :D

i'd rather, yup :)