[Gerben42]

In 4th seat, the most frequent 3-point 1NT range is 14 to 16 HCP (assuming normal agressiveness, facing light openers it may be 15 to 17). On the other hand if you have a weak NT hand you might want to open it if you have 1NT available, but have to pass if you have to start with 1♣, fearing opponents may get in cheap again.

[cherdano]

I voted same range as other seats. In my opinions such micro-optimizations are a waste of time until you have are playing professionally in a long-term partnership.

[MickyB]

I believe that the best structures in 3rd seat, and possibly 4th, open four-card majors on hands too weak to look for game without a fit. This allows P:1♠, 1NT to be on any balanced hand without support.

So, if you open flat 12s but not usually flat 11s in first+second seats, you might open 1M on 13 counts (playing 1NT with 13 opposite 11 isn't the end of the world IMO) and thus play a 14-16 NT.

I've just switched to Polish Club, so now I've less reason to open four-card majors in 3rd+4th. Instinctively, separating hands with interest in 3NT from those that haven't seems beneficial to me, even playing five-card majors, but I'm struggling to explain why. Maybe it is so I can choose to open flat rubbish in third seat without getting partner excited.

[helene_t]

Agree with Micky. If I play 13-15 or stronger in 1st seat I will play that in all seats. If playing 12-14 or weaker in 1st/2nd I will play correspondingly stronger in 3rd/4th.

[Cascade]

I've had a few years experience now of weak 1NT first and second seat and strong 1NT third and fourth seat and I really like it.

We play four-card majors and weak 1NT in 1st and 2nd (actually mini-1NT when not vulnerable). Our four-card majors are really more like five-card majors since we open the lower of two four-card suits in a strong (15-17) balanced hand.

In third and fourth seat we switch to a more aggressive four-card major style opening the major when 4-4 in two suits and play a strong 1NT.

The main advantage of the third and fourth seat openings is that when partner is a passed hand and we have a minimum balanced hand then the aim for our side is usually to get to the right part-score. A weak 1NT opening makes that aim difficult when 1NT is not our best spot.

In response to the 1Major openings we bid 1NT with up to 11 hcp in a balanced or nearly balanced hand without a fit. A 2/1 by a passed hand is 6-9 hcp with a long suit and is not forcing.

[skjaeran]

In natural methods I prefer 15-17 throughout. In a strong ♣ system I played for several years till 18 years ago, we also played 15-17NT and 5cM in all seats. At MP we tried out 4cM, 12-14NT in 1st and 2nd seat and 15-17 in 3rd and 4th seat. Seemed to work fine for us.

[neilkaz]

cherdano, on Aug 9 2007, 03:58 AM, said:

I voted same range as other seats. In my opinions such micro-optimizations are a waste of time until you have are playing professionally in a long-term partnership.

Complete agreement from me !

[pbleighton]

This is a meaningless question when you divorce it from the system being played.

Peter

[Gerben42]

A standard system like 2/1 or so.

[pbleighton]

Quote

A standard system like 2/1 or so.

In that case, I would stick to 15-17 (or 14-16, or 15+-18, or whatever). I've played systems where the 4th seat had a different range (or vul/not vul), and once in a while there will be a mixup, wiping out whatever advantage we were looking to gain, as Cherdano said.

Peter

[Fluffy]

I don't play 3 point ranges, and they depend on the suit opened, 9-12 for a minor, and 11-14 for a major.

[skjaeran]

Fluffy, on Aug 11 2007, 12:29 AM, said:

I don't play 3 point ranges, and they depend on the suit opened, 9-12 for a minor, and 11-14 for a major.

Huh? I guess you got this one wrong. There's no suit opened. You're OPENING 1NT in 4th seat, not balancing. (I almost did the same myself. )

[Fluffy]

Oooops

I play just 15-17 as anyone else I know.