Conventional Wisdom

[Phil]

(Ignoring Siegmund's thought-provoking study for a moment)

 

Assume matchpoints.

 

What's the CW these days on responding to 1N with a hand less than a invite and 4-4 in the majors? Assume garbage Stayman is in use so you have options over a 2D response.

 

I was always taught to scramble out of 1N with a bust (0-4 HCP). With the 5-7, it's optional and might depends your overall shape or honor dispersion. But with the propensity of opening 1N with a 5cM, it seems you have a big miss with a possible 5-4 lurking.

 

Does vulnerability enter into it? Your opponents vulnerability? Any other considerations?

 

Thanks.

[SteveMoe]

Intriguing question, Phil. Not seen a sim on this point.

 

FWIW I usually let partner play 1N if I have two or more cards that are possible entries. Being able to lead twice toward the big hand is often enough to get a plus score, or a small minus. With any singleton/void I look for a trump fit. I am less likely to scramble NV. With soft values only in the minors I am likely to flip a coin.

 

Not sure if there is a "major suit lead bias" in a 1N contract. Not sure there's a difference between 1st/2nd seat opener and 3rd/4th seat opener. Opponent's are more prone to intervene these days so there is a small inference that there are 4 balanced hands at the table.

 

Doesn't Larry Cohen's data (1 million hands) suggest 1N is a very advantageous contract for the declaring side? Would be great to look at how many of these hands were suitable for garbage stayman...

[fromageGB]

Assume garbage Stayman is in use so you have options over a 2D response.

And what options do you have that enable you to play in 1NT when he has no major?

[Phil]

And what options do you have that enable you to play in 1NT when he has no major?

 

The British humour gets so tiring around here.

[aguahombre]

Justin ventured a very strong opinion recently: to always Stayman with shortness in clubs, whether Zero or 7 points.

 

It wasn't clear what he thought about the cases with 2 or 3 clubs, or whether he even has a crawling Stayman option.

 

We don't have it, so are limited to the only-when-short-in-clubs thing, anyway.

[Cyberyeti]

(Ignoring Siegmund's thought-provoking study for a moment)

 

Assume matchpoints.

 

What's the CW these days on responding to 1N with a hand less than a invite and 4-4 in the majors? Assume garbage Stayman is in use so you have options over a 2D response.

 

I was always taught to scramble out of 1N with a bust (0-4 HCP). With the 5-7, it's optional and might depends your overall shape or honor dispersion. But with the propensity of opening 1N with a 5cM, it seems you have a big miss with a possible 5-4 lurking.

 

Does vulnerability enter into it? Your opponents vulnerability? Any other considerations?

 

Thanks.

 

And does it matter if you're playing weak or strong NT ?

 

We will often scramble out, but you're on a gamble playing weak no trump, are the opps points 13-13 or so where 1N buys the contract, or was there about to be a loud X from the 4th seat in a situation where he doesn't have a suitable hand to X over Stayman or the response. When you scramble, you need the arrangement that over 1N-2♣-2♦-2♥ you always bid 2♠ with 3-2 in the majors.

[fromageGB]

Leave the humour aside for a moment. I was implying that if you have enough strength for 1NT to have a play, say 4/5-7, then it seems a little foolish to try for a major fit that is not there. The CW remains as you were taught. Yes, you have a big miss on a hidden 5-4, and a MP miss on a 5-3, but that is your trade off for better continuations after a major open. Take your medicine.

 

I don't think vulnerability or NT strength has much of a bearing.