1NT overcall conventions need tuning

[Lord Molyb]

Gib had something like ♠ T ♥ 9xxxx ♦ 7xx ♣ Jxxx in fourth chair and the bidding goes (1♥) - 1NT - (dbl) to it. What does it do? It transfers to hearts!

[manudude03]

To be honest, I don't think this is that much of an issue. At least dummy might be able to score a ruff or 2 for entries. Any chance of teaching the Gib basic Helvic or something though?

[Lord Molyb]

I held ♥Kx and a 4-4-3-2 shape, how am I supposed to get ruffs?

edit: ^and that's likely to occur, too.

[Stephen Tu]

I held ♥Kx and a 4-4-3-2 shape, how am I supposed to get ruffs?

edit: ^and that's likely to occur, too.

 

He said ruffs in *dummy*. The hand with 5 hearts and stiff spade is dummy after transferring. You are likely able to ruff spades to get to dummy for transportation.

 

Also, it's not impossible to get club ruffs in the 1nt overcalling hand. Hands with Kx, Ax of hearts and 4432 have the usually superior alternative of doubling, instead of bidding 1nt. So hearts could reasonably be 5530, and your best fit despite the bad break.

 

So running to hearts doesn't seem totally horrible. The more debatable thing is why does it play transfers here. It ought to be able to run to a minor. I forget if it plays rdbl forces 2c on this sequence or not.

[Antrax]

I think XX is "long minor", so presumably it's transfer to ♣ and then it can correct to ♦.

[Lord Molyb]

I think XX is "long minor", so presumably it's transfer to ♣ and then it can correct to ♦.

It is.

[georgi]

Thanks for reporting this.

 

It would be worked on for next version to be avoided as much as possible partner to drop in trouble 1NT overcaller in exposed major via transfer. Espesically if that's the contract which is about to stay.

[cherdano]

I held ♥Kx and a 4-4-3-2 shape

Sounds like a takeout double to me...