alt 1nt opening ideas

[slyq]

hi working on precision style system based on

9-12 nt but it seems to be big loser vul

(big winner not vul) looking for a

sensible alt for 1nt as am happy with 1d struct incl

strong 13-15 bal and can pass bal 12

currently using mod 2d multi 2h sht d

weak 2c 8-12 precision

any ideas appreciated

[gwnn]

I heard about 5m+4M weak? It would be illegal almost everywhere though. You can make it 4S+5m weak, making it legal almost everywhere. Not especially preemptive but it's somewhat crazy and for some people that's reason enough.

[rbforster]

Diamonds or minors? With 2C as pass/correct and 2D to play

 

or what about weak with either both majors or both minors?

[Apollo81]

Here's a shocking idea: play it as 15-17 balanced when vulnerable. This will help you in a few ways.

 

1. 1♦-1M-1NT now has a more narrow range, which will result in fewer missed games / down 2NTs.

 

2. You won't have to open 1♣/♦ on 15-17 balanced when the opponents are at favorable, and can screw with you at will. Believe it or not, this makes a big difference.

[jjbrr]

Here's a shocking idea: play it as 15-17 balanced when vulnerable. This will help you in a few ways.

 

1. 1♦-1M-1NT now has a more narrow range, which will result in fewer missed games / down 2NTs.

 

2. You won't have to open 1♣/♦ on 15-17 balanced when the opponents are at favorable, and can screw with you at will. Believe it or not, this makes a big difference.

Call me old-fashioned, but this is really good advice imo.

 

Playing 1NT openers as balanced with a well-defined, narrow point range is winning bridge.

[awm]

With one of my partners, I play a vulnerable 1NT as 19-21. This actually seems pretty effective for a number of reasons.

 

The 16-18 balanced hand is not a real problem in a strong club system. This is the most "normal" strong club hand, and partner can just assume you have it when you open 1♣. If partner can't act over 1♣-interference and opener has 16-18 balanced, then you're not missing much of anything.

 

However, the 19-21 balanced hand is quite annoying. You have just enough extra that you will be tempted to balance in various auctions (say 1♣-2♠-Pass-Pass), yet bidding in these situations is not really safe, especially when you have the wrong shape for a takeout double. Even in constructive auctions, this hand type can be mildly annoying after 1♣-1♦ (you can use kokish relay or something, but not without losses). Meckstroth and Rodwell open 2NT on these hands for some of these reasons, but this obviously has its downsides too (preempting your own side's slam bidding). Opening 1NT with 19-21 balanced gets you out a level lower when partner has garbage, makes it easier to penalize opponents who jump in (usually they don't though) and still gives you plenty of space to find your best game or your slam contract. If you're happy with 1♦ including the 13-15 range, I think 1NT=19-21 is markedly superior to 1NT=16-18.

[slyq]

thanks all appreciate the tips I appreciate the strong nt

advice an was already seriously for all of the above

nentioned in the en i think i will end 8-12 6d or 5d +m

simarlar to 2c this will free up some of mt 1d structure

so I can open some 11-12 s with majors which comes

at least part from mM suggestions or both m/M

[slyq]

amend to 6d or 5d + 4M