[erki_]

I have played MOSCITO for some time now and decided to change some things. Relays after 1NT opening are always slow and giving too much information about openers hand, so I have learned Heeman and Keri (partially). Now I have to make a decision which one to take and which one to leave. Since I have'nt played them in real-life situations yet, I'm asking for your opininon. Which one of these methods is better (or is it strictly matter of taste)?

Second question is about escaping from weak 1NT doubled. Is it useful or necessary when playing MPs? I know that you should not be happy when you get occasional -300s or -500s at IMPs, but MPs are whole different story.

[Free]

It's probably a matter of style, but I like the possibilities, simplicity and symmetry of Heeman a lot! Then again, I never played keri, so I can't really compare the methods.

[Gerben42]

I've not played either of them but I would go for the simpler method: Heeman. Or my own method, Hitchhiker, which is yet simpler

Hitchhiker after a weak NT

About escaping, I'd like to use both Pass and Redouble as natural. Pass forcing Redouble gives the opponents two opportunities to escape when their Double was incorrectly timed. Other bids are natural, but 2m may be psyching (and is alerted as such) with shortness in the bid suit and at least two other suits.

[hrothgar]

Few comments here:

1. I agree with your instincts. I've never much liked playing relays over 1NT openings and rebids. You've wrong sided one of the most likely contracts. If you ahve two balanced hands opposite one another you (often) prefer to use natural bidding to relays. If you have an unbalanced opposite a balanced hand its often better that the balanced hand asks and the unbalanced hand shows.

2. I think that you need to consider more than just the 1NT opening. I prefer to use the same NT modules over both the weak NT opening in 1st/2nd, the intermediate 1NT opening in 3rd/4th, and a NT rebid by the strong club opener in auctions like

1♣ - 1♥
1NT

or

1♣ - 1♠
1NT

3. In answer to your question. I think that all NT structures (largely) boil down to a matter of taste. Personally, I'm fond of both the Scanian NT responses and Keri. I don't have an informed opinion regarding Heeman.

[DrTodd13]

When playing weak NTs, I like to play something that I was told are called "Hyashi runouts."
P = forces XX, to play or if responder bids again it shows non-touching suits
XX = forces 2♣. all single-suiters starts this way
2♣-2♥ = touching suits