1S vs 2NT

[Hanoi5]

Yesterday, playing MP's, at unfavorable vulnerability, my partner faced this hand:

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sakqj7hkq6dkj2cj3&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=p]133|200[/hv]

 

Playing 12-20 1-level openings, 20-21 2NT opening (with puppet stayman), what would you open and why?

[aguahombre]

Everyone seems to like NT openings, here. I didn't see the club Jack, and would open 1S. Sue me. Predict it will be easier to get to the right suit slam if there is one; 2NT is a slam killer, much more so than opening 1M is a game killer.

[mike777]

I will try 2nt and live with those issues rather than 1s and trying to find a rebid.

[Phil]

2N. Responses to 2N have gotten better over the years, so its not the slam killer it used to be.

 

And are we really in better shape for slam investigation after 1♠ - 1N??

[blackshoe]

2N.

[the hog]

2NT for me also. This expresses the nature of the hand - strength and point count.

[jjbrr]

2N. Slam killer? seriously?

[jjbrr]

2N. Slam killer? seriously?

 

What I meant to say is show your work.

[CSGibson]

2N wtp.

 

As for why...2N shows a balanced 20-21, and does not preclude getting to spades when it is right. That is what I have, so I bid it.

[Statto]

2NT, we are playing puppet Stayman for this 0.08% reason.

[aguahombre]

2N. Slam killer? seriously?

What I meant to say is show your work.

I can't; there is no work. And, I totally expected everyone else to open 2NT. This one just seems too suit oriented in three different strains. There aint no guarantees, so I offered an alternate thought. You might not be as happy with the final result any time partner has whatever else and XXX of or XX or X of clubs.

[Cthulhu D]

How much is the field protection worth to must feature in the decision making here to I would have thought? 1S seems much better if you're in hunting mode? (thought it might just wrong side 3NT).

[mike777]

field protection?

 

Hunting mode?

 

 

geez I am just trying to cut down on silly bids...and silly plays.....

[jjbrr]

field protection?

 

Hunting mode?

 

 

geez I am just trying to cut down on silly bids...and silly plays.....

 

yup.

 

zia, though

[Cthulhu D]

field protection?

 

Hunting mode?

 

 

geez I am just trying to cut down on silly bids...and silly plays.....

 

Lol, doing what I think everyone else is going to do is (part of) my protection against silly bids ;)

[SimonFa]

You might not be as happy with the final result any time partner has whatever else and XXX of or XX or X of clubs.

 

I'd certainly be unhappy if partner has XX or X in clubs and didn't look for a suit fit, even with a Yarborough. With XXX in Clubs and a Yarborough I'm hoping the eithe 4-4 or blocked.

[mgoetze]

When you are responding to 2NT with a 3352 Yarborough you will be really happy if you are playing Puppet Stayman. ;)

[Phil]

When you are responding to 2NT with a 3352 Yarborough you will be really happy if you are playing Puppet Stayman. ;)

 

Even happier that I'm playing my stuff.

[rmnka447]

2 NT describes your strength and distribution. Since the partnership is playing Puppet Stayman, a 5-3 Spade fit won't be lost.

 

I don't think 1 ♠ is right. If the remaining 20 HCP are split pretty evenly, partner is likely to respond 1 NT wrongsiding the contract versus most of the rest of the field. Even if 2 NT or 3 NT go down, the result rates to be no worse than Ave- as most of the field figure to also open this hand 2 NT. It's also just possible that 1 ♠ might be passed out and does no better trickwise than NT. Opening 1 ♠ might also preclude you from finding a 5-3 ♥ game that would be child's play to find after a 2 NT bid (say partner had something like ♠ xx ♥ Axxxx ♦ Qxxx ♣ x).

[Avoidance]

Ask Zia

[the_dude]

I'm not sure why I'm playing puppet stayman if I don't open 2NT with this.

 

Also .. 2NT is only a slam killer if you have A) a good 5+ card suit that might not be found out, and B) significantly more playing strength in said suit than 20-21 would indicate. I don't believe either of these conditions apply to this hand.