Is this a weak NT opener?

[kenrexford]

I find it curious that this hand evaluates better than KJT KJT KJT QTxx.

3X3.33=10

 

14-10=4 (adjust 1)

 

14-1=13

 

13+(.25X4)=14

 

Yep. Technically worse.

[EricK]

Add one more vote for 1NT.

 

Regarding the people who are counting it as 15 or so points because Aces are undervalued: I thought that this really only applied in suit contracts, and that for NT, something like the fifths count (A=4, K=2.8, Q=1.8, J=1, T=0.4) was more accurate.

[NickRW]

That's right.

 

Nick

[kenrexford]

Add one more vote for 1NT.

 

Regarding the people who are counting it as 15 or so points because Aces are undervalued: I thought that this really only applied in suit contracts, and that for NT, something like the fifths count (A=4, K=2.8, Q=1.8, J=1, T=0.4) was more accurate.

Well, this is sort of a suit contract problem, in a sense.

 

I've said this before, and I believe it to be accurate. Notrump contracts some in two forms -- clouds and T's. A "cloud" notrump contract is one where you have a bunch of junk everywhere and somehow end up with some number of tricks after a long, defensive battle. The KJ10-KJ10-KJ10-Q10xx is a classic "cloud" holding.

 

The "T" form is one where you hope to beat the opponents to getting your tricks before them. When the 1NT opening is enhanced because of the stem of the "T," meaning a trick source, you want Aces and the hand plays more "suitlike."

 

The actual hand has a "T" in the diamond suit. Opposite KQx in diamonds, and the third side Ace, you are up to 8 tricks on a mere 21. Add another King, and you have 24 but 9 tricks. Hence, in a sense, the length in diamonds created two extra tricks that were pure tricks because of the purity of the T.