Hands played at the Palmerston North Bridge Club published here for discussion and question and answer.
Any bidding shown is an actual auction and not necessarily recommended.
Please feel free to participate and make suggestions.
Some play 16-18 or 15-17 as well as the suggested range of 15-18. These are all matters for partnership agreement. The precise range is unlikely to matter too much. I am not sure why most play (so-called) three point ranges for opening 1NT but are happy to play a four-point range for the overcall.
As for whether 1NT is a better descriptor here than double? I think there is a case for double. Sometimes when partner is a passed hand, as here, bidding 1NT with a minimum 15 is aiming at a small target. You need partner to have about 10, close the maximum that a passed hand can have to make a game. Whereas double is more flexible in getting to a part-score.
North south missed out here. They have an excellent part-score and even 3NT makes but is a miracle of perfect cards which is likely to be too difficult to judge in the bidding.
I think south should prefer 3C to pass of 2H on the auction shown. North is likely to be short in diamonds, as is the case although you can't predict the void, and playing a 4-3 heart fit when the long hearts are going to be forced to ruff will be problematic.
Re X or 1NT. I am not sure X is all that more flexible. If pard is 8+ then I think 1NT wins easily as to right level and to right contract (eg if pard jumps in hearts over X it is going to be difficult to find the 4-4 spade fit). Assuming system ON with 1NT, then weak hands can also be catered for with 1 suited majors, or 2 suited majors, or some one suited minors, plus 1NT could easily be the correct place to play
I think 1NT is a better descriptor than x. Over 1NT North can check for a major fit and play clubs if no fit (if system permits), or invite NT game.
ReplyDeleteso how flexible is the range of 1NT overcall 15 -18
ReplyDeleteyes, I think ACOL bibles would agree with that range
ReplyDeleteSome play 16-18 or 15-17 as well as the suggested range of 15-18. These are all matters for partnership agreement. The precise range is unlikely to matter too much. I am not sure why most play (so-called) three point ranges for opening 1NT but are happy to play a four-point range for the overcall.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether 1NT is a better descriptor here than double? I think there is a case for double. Sometimes when partner is a passed hand, as here, bidding 1NT with a minimum 15 is aiming at a small target. You need partner to have about 10, close the maximum that a passed hand can have to make a game. Whereas double is more flexible in getting to a part-score.
North south missed out here. They have an excellent part-score and even 3NT makes but is a miracle of perfect cards which is likely to be too difficult to judge in the bidding.
I think south should prefer 3C to pass of 2H on the auction shown. North is likely to be short in diamonds, as is the case although you can't predict the void, and playing a 4-3 heart fit when the long hearts are going to be forced to ruff will be problematic.
Re X or 1NT. I am not sure X is all that more flexible. If pard is 8+ then I think 1NT wins easily as to right level and to right contract (eg if pard jumps in hearts over X it is going to be difficult to find the 4-4 spade fit). Assuming system ON with 1NT, then weak hands can also be catered for with 1 suited majors, or 2 suited majors, or some one suited minors, plus 1NT could easily be the correct place to play
ReplyDelete