Gerben42 Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 In 4th seat, the most frequent 3-point 1NT range is 14 to 16 HCP (assuming normal agressiveness, facing light openers it may be 15 to 17). On the other hand if you have a weak NT hand you might want to open it if you have 1NT available, but have to pass if you have to start with 1♣, fearing opponents may get in cheap again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherdano Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 I voted same range as other seats. In my opinions such micro-optimizations are a waste of time until you have are playing professionally in a long-term partnership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickyB Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 I believe that the best structures in 3rd seat, and possibly 4th, open four-card majors on hands too weak to look for game without a fit. This allows P:1♠, 1NT to be on any balanced hand without support. So, if you open flat 12s but not usually flat 11s in first+second seats, you might open 1M on 13 counts (playing 1NT with 13 opposite 11 isn't the end of the world IMO) and thus play a 14-16 NT. I've just switched to Polish Club, so now I've less reason to open four-card majors in 3rd+4th. Instinctively, separating hands with interest in 3NT from those that haven't seems beneficial to me, even playing five-card majors, but I'm struggling to explain why. Maybe it is so I can choose to open flat rubbish in third seat without getting partner excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helene_t Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Agree with Micky. If I play 13-15 or stronger in 1st seat I will play that in all seats. If playing 12-14 or weaker in 1st/2nd I will play correspondingly stronger in 3rd/4th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cascade Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 I've had a few years experience now of weak 1NT first and second seat and strong 1NT third and fourth seat and I really like it. We play four-card majors and weak 1NT in 1st and 2nd (actually mini-1NT when not vulnerable). Our four-card majors are really more like five-card majors since we open the lower of two four-card suits in a strong (15-17) balanced hand. In third and fourth seat we switch to a more aggressive four-card major style opening the major when 4-4 in two suits and play a strong 1NT. The main advantage of the third and fourth seat openings is that when partner is a passed hand and we have a minimum balanced hand then the aim for our side is usually to get to the right part-score. A weak 1NT opening makes that aim difficult when 1NT is not our best spot. In response to the 1Major openings we bid 1NT with up to 11 hcp in a balanced or nearly balanced hand without a fit. A 2/1 by a passed hand is 6-9 hcp with a long suit and is not forcing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skjaeran Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 In natural methods I prefer 15-17 throughout. In a strong ♣ system I played for several years till 18 years ago, we also played 15-17NT and 5cM in all seats. At MP we tried out 4cM, 12-14NT in 1st and 2nd seat and 15-17 in 3rd and 4th seat. Seemed to work fine for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilkaz Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 I voted same range as other seats. In my opinions such micro-optimizations are a waste of time until you have are playing professionally in a long-term partnership. Complete agreement from me ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbleighton Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 This is a meaningless question when you divorce it from the system being played. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerben42 Posted August 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 A standard system like 2/1 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbleighton Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 A standard system like 2/1 or so. In that case, I would stick to 15-17 (or 14-16, or 15+-18, or whatever). I've played systems where the 4th seat had a different range (or vul/not vul), and once in a while there will be a mixup, wiping out whatever advantage we were looking to gain, as Cherdano said. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffy Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 I don't play 3 point ranges, and they depend on the suit opened, 9-12 for a minor, and 11-14 for a major. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skjaeran Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I don't play 3 point ranges, and they depend on the suit opened, 9-12 for a minor, and 11-14 for a major. Huh? I guess you got this one wrong. There's no suit opened. You're OPENING 1NT in 4th seat, not balancing. (I almost did the same myself. :) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffy Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Oooops I play just 15-17 as anyone else I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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