Nat NT overcalls in the trap

[wank]

After 1x p 1y what NT range is it popular to play these days? I'm not interested in playing some 2 suited take-out. I only ask because I've always considered it standard to play it pretty strong, around 17-19, but I observed a good player overcalling it on a terrible 15 count - I wouldn't even have overcalled 1NT directly on the hand in question.

 

With the modern penchant for filthy openings and even filthier responses, I understand the desire to get in the auction in situations which in the past would have been considered too dangerous.

[gnasher]

I think it's still 15-18, with a few more of the 15s excluded than in second seat.

[MFA]

I agree with gnasher.

 

I have been wondering lately if 15-18 really is the right interval for a NT-overcall in direct position. Perhaps it is too conservative. Perhaps one should lower it by appr. 1 point.

Thin openings (and thin responses) might be shifting the correct weighting between safety and aggression. We are more likely than in the old days to get stolen from, and we are harder to double in 1NT because opener might be thin in responder's view. Getting sensible in to the auction tends to carry such dividends, even with the more balanced hands. Just a thought.

[nigel_k]

Agree with gnasher, just make your normal overcall. If you're the nervous type it can be a bit stronger, but I wouldn't increase the range by more than 1 HCP.

[dake50]

Are you intending 1NT overcall to bind other bids not to be bal 15-17?

Then get on your NT response scheme --save memory with same responses.

 

Or to show stops and little interest in the unbid major?

This clarifies T/O dbl --that's worthwhile.

 

Either choice begs 'what is left for reopening'?

Another critical partition: immediate act vs delayed act. Which hands which way.

[the hog]

I would say, "Look at the hand". There are 15-17 point hands that are rubbish, and then there are hands with a source of tricks. I would overcall on the latter; then even if you do get hit, it won't be too bad.

[655321]

15-18 for me. I know you said you are not interested in it, but if you are not willing to overcall with the 15-16 balanced it seems to me you would get more value out of the bid by playing it as a 2 suiter instead.

[MarkDean]

I agree with gnasher.

 

I have been wondering lately if 15-18 really is the right interval for a NT-overcall in direct position. Perhaps it is too conservative. Perhaps one should lower it by appr. 1 point.

Thin openings (and thin responses) might be shifting the correct weighting between safety and aggression. We are more likely than in the old days to get stolen from, and we are harder to double in 1NT because opener might be thin in responder's view. Getting sensible in to the auction tends to carry such dividends, even with the more balanced hands. Just a thought.

Back in my young and crazy days, I played 13-16 1NT overcalls NV for a while. It actually worked reasonably well when it came up, but the problem was that you then had to double with 17 balanced.

[JLOGIC]

I play it as 16-19.

[Fluffy]

I agree with gnasher.

 

I have been wondering lately if 15-18 really is the right interval for a NT-overcall in direct position. Perhaps it is too conservative. Perhaps one should lower it by appr. 1 point.

Thin openings (and thin responses) might be shifting the correct weighting between safety and aggression. We are more likely than in the old days to get stolen from, and we are harder to double in 1NT because opener might be thin in responder's view. Getting sensible in to the auction tends to carry such dividends, even with the more balanced hands. Just a thought.

I like this idea, and I believe it will be an advantage for the 14-16 hands that overcall 1NT in second, however the 17-18 hands and 19-20 hands are losing big then having to be big more agressively.

 

About the sandwich overcall I have started to play it strong for about a year, but hasn't come up yet even once :).

[benlessard]

16-19, not afraid to pass with many 16. Ive had my share of juicy penalty over 1NT overcall that im convinced that people overcall too lightly here.

[lmilne]

haha, I played 17-20 for a while, weak-tight right?

 

16-19 seems about right for my slightly less conservative self these days.

[scrote]

I think you should do it with 15 because the times when you have gameish values the hand plays better when the high cards are more balanced between you and dummy.

You go for a number when you don't have a decent runout suit (which is reasonably unlikely bearing in mind they've bid their suits) not because you're a jack light.