[1eyedjack]

Scoring: IMP

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Playing weak (12-14) 1N it went uncontested (South opening):
1N-2C(1)
2D-3C(2)
3D-3N
P
(1) 5 card stayman
(2) Natural, GF, + 4 card Major

Do you agree that 4S is top spot?
If you don't find 4S then 5C seems better than 3N.

At the other table it went (uncontested, South again opening)

1C-1S
1N-3N
P

Any suggestions for a better sequence (a) when playing weak 1N and (b ) playing strong 1N? Would transfer Walsh help you out here?

If you prefer strong 1N then I would still be interested in your opinion about how it should go playing weak 1N (and response structure of your choice). The same "problem" can I think be reconstructed for strong 1N openers by transferring some of North's values to South to bring it in range for 1N opener.

[Free]

Playing strong NT:

1♦ - 2♣
2♦! - 2♠
3♥! - 4♣
4♠

2♦ = any minimum
3♥ = 4th suit

Playing weak NT with HEEMAN:

1NT - 2♥!
2♠ - 3♥!
4♣? - 5♣

2♥ = 4+♠
3♥ = GF 4♠, 5+♣

After 3♥ opener has a problem. He may bid 4♣ (which will lead to 5♣), but he might as well bid 3NT. His ♥ holding is weak, so he should be worried, and he has a 4 card fit for partner's suit.

[1eyedjack]

It is a style issue, but my experience of most expert pairs who are playing a strong-ish 1N opener is that they would open 1C in preference to 1D on this hand.

In favour of 1D is that it is the better minor and you are slightly better placed in a contested auction. In favour of 1C is the opportunity to play TWalsh and the avoidance of a wide range 1N response to 1D. 1C seems to win the day, from what I gather.

Ironically, opening 1D, opposite a singleton, seems to make life easier (on this hand) than opening the suit in which you have a 10 card fit. I cannot help thinking that that should not be the case. But it seems to be easier to expose the Heart weakness if opener gets to bid Diamonds naturally.

There are two main schools of inverted minor raises. One school denies the possession of a 4 card major when making a simple immediate forcing raise of a minor. In the other school a 4 card major is permitted (if responder has enough to game force).

If you open 1C and subscribe to the first school, so it goes 1C-1S-1N (say not playing TWalsh), then you need to have thought through the continuations on this hand type. I generally use methods that allow responder to pattern out with a GF hand, and so would show 4 Spades, singleton Diamond, and at least 5 Clubs. No way to distinguish below 3N between 4-3-1-5 and 4-2-1-6. But more importantly, no way to show that the Hearts are wide open, as you are just showing total values and total shape. I may have to rethink my philosophy on this.

If you open 1C and subscribe to the second school, it starts 1C-2C. , and now you need some well honed continuations. A simple 1C-2C-2N-3S does not help. Responder may have Hearts guarded but there is no way to find out. Perhaps opener should rebid 2D on a balanced hand and reserve 2N for something more narrowly defined.

I don't have a lot of practice playing TWalsh, but the continuations after 1C-1H-1S may be more controlled?

[Codo]

1. 1 NT 2 ♣ 2 ♦ 3 ♣ 3 ♦ 3 ♠ 5 ♣
(3 Diamond is a control, accepting clubs, 3 Spade denies help in Heart)

2. 1 ♦ 2 ♣ 2♦ 2♠ 3 ♣ 3 ♥ 5 ♣

I strongly disagree that most players open 1 Club with 4/4 in the majors. I guess 95% will open 1 Diamond.

[han]

1NT - 2C
2D - 3C
3D - 3S
4S is possible. Getting to 5C is also possible. Getting to 3NT is not.

1D - 2C
2D - 2S
3C - .. Opener won't play in 3NT after this start.

1C - 1S
1NT - some club raise.. may or may not end up in 3NT, depending on the auction.

1m - 1S
2S - .. Now it is easy.