[jocdelevat]

Hi all

My level BIL playing SAYC

just a simple question:
in this auction 1c(or d) pass 1nt what means 1nt in SAYC

I usually after my pard open a minor i respond with 6-9 hcp a 4 card major . If I do not have 4 card major I bid the othe minor if in 5 or support the openning minor with 5 cards however I never respond 1nt.
I play a lot in indy tourneys and happens more then i expect players(level intermediates and sometimes advanced) to bid 1nt after my openning of a minor .
When I see their cards they have 4 card major and sometimes more than 9hcp.
Thing is I saw some intermediates bid the same way and I don't not know from where this come or whats the meanning?

thank you in advance for your advice

[jillybean]

Responding 1nt with a 4 card major is clearly wrong in sayc.
I think 1m - 1nt should show something like 3334/3343

Indys tend not to be particularly good bridge but are hard to give up

[helene_t]

1♣-(pass)-1NT is probably described as 3334 in beginners' books. Advanced players will bid either 1♦ or 1NT with balanced hands without a 4-card major, depending on whether they think a notrump contract is better placed in opener's hand or their own hand. A case for 1NT can be that you want to make it difficult for opps to bid a major suit.

1♦-1NT is 6-10 HCPs without a 4-card major and usually without 4-card diamonds. It need not be balanced. You can have a 6-card clubs, you would need 11(10) HCPs to bid 2♣.

[bid_em_up]

You see this in individuals because:

1) They don't know any better.

2) They know better, but suppress the four card major as a surprise for the defense (forget about partner, I only have to play two boards with them and then will never see them again).

3) NT scores better.

4) They think they can always play the hand better than some random partner sitting across from them, no matter what.

5) They just are making the bid that most likely guarantees them playing the hand.

There are other reasons, but the above are a good general representation of reasons why people bid like this in individuals.

Helene's description of 1m-1N is adequate for what the bid is supposed to mean in SAYC.