[jdonn]

I don't disagree with what you said, and I bid 1NT on these hands too. But it's worth noting that 1♠ here made the auction easier since responder could afford to essentially insist upon clubs. But if opener had bid 1NT then responder might have to worry later that opener would be 4333 or 3433, and it would have been harder to figure out the correct minor to establish as trumps. I just try to make a point of staying open minded to the benefits of all approaches (I am not accusing you of failing to do that, just saying it's a great idea for everyone to do).

[the hog]

jdonn, on Apr 22 2007, 01:21 PM, said:

I don't disagree with what you said, and I bid 1NT on these hands too. But it's worth noting that 1♠ here made the auction easier since responder could afford to essentially insist upon clubs. But if opener had bid 1NT then responder might have to worry later that opener would be 4333 or 3433, and it would have been harder to figure out the correct minor to establish as trumps. I just try to make a point of staying open minded to the benefits of all approaches (I am not accusing you of failing to do that, just saying it's a great idea for everyone to do).

Fair comment. It could be worse still if opener opened 1C on a 4-3-3-3 shape and then rebid 1S. Some players do....

[mike777]

I do not understand..if you are opening on junk what is your point you are making?

If you want to open on junk...ok...but your point?

[helene_t]

jillybean2, on Apr 22 2007, 05:03 AM, said:

I don't understand the benefit of not showing the 4 card suit after 1m:1m other than giving opps less information but would be happy to hear the rationale.

When the auctions starts
1♣-1♦
responder is unlikely to have a weak hand with a 4-card major. Think about it:
- Opener is unlikely to have a four-card diamonds because she would usually open 1♦ with 4-4 minors and maybe even with 4-5. Therefore, responder should not bid 1♦ to show a 4-card diamonds if she has something more interesting to say, like a 4-card in a major.
- If responder has a 5-card diamonds, she won't be able to tell if opener has 3-card support. If opener rebids 1NT she will know that opener has diamond tolerance (and if 1NT denies a 4-card major, opener is very likely to have 3-card support). She could rebid a 5-card diamonds, especially if she's very weak so that 1NT may be unplayable. But how often does that happen? If you have a diamonds fit, opps rate to have a major suit fit. They probably already entered the auction, otherwise they will.

Therefore, it has very little costs to agree that opener rebids 1NT with all balanced hands. The advantages, on the other hand, are obvious, as Ron pointed out.

When the auction starts
1m-1♥
it is less clear if opener should bypass spades, since 1♥ certainly does not deny a a weak hand with a four-card spades. And it's relevant to look for a spades fit because opps will probably not be able to outbid us. Personally, I prefer to bypass spades here, but I'm less rigorous about it. I will not normally bypass with a weak doubleton in the unbid minor. Some prefer never, or almost never, to bypass. Some would bypass with 4333 but not with a doubleton.