[Hanoi5]

The sequence:

1M 1NT
2NT

is used by many partnerships to show a balanced 18-19 HCP hand, reserving

1M 1NT
3NT

to show a solid 6-card Major suit with 16-18 HCP.

However, some people play the first sequence as showing a balanced hand with a strong no-trump range (which wasn't opened as 1NT because of the 5-card Major) and the second one for bal. 18-19 HCP. Is there any downside to playing this way? Is there a standard way of playing it? What does one way have over the other in terms of reaching bad contracts? Is the second version I described 'unplayable'?

[P_Marlowe]

System?

Meaning of 1NT, is it forcing, semi-forcing, nonforcing?

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Hanoi5]

I assumed 2/1 GF system which needs a forcing No Trump structure.

[han]

Yes there are the obvious downsides.

[Hanoi5]

So obvious you can't even mention them?

[jdonn]

Hanoi5, on Nov 21 2008, 10:55 AM, said:

So obvious you can't even mention them?

Responder doesn't get to show his hand. What shows a limit raise? What if he is very weak with a long minor, or a little stronger? What if he has 5 hearts and doesn't know if opener has 3?

[Hanoi5]

Quote

Responder doesn't get to show his hand. What shows a limit raise?

Bidding 4 of the Major.

Quote

What if he is very weak with a long minor, or a little stronger?

You'll have to define a little stronger, but if he's weak he can jolly well bid his minor being non-forcing.

Quote

What if he has 5 hearts and doesn't know if opener has 3?

As Hearts are very important let's say 3m after 2NT is sign off but not 3♥, which would show the 10-12 hand with at least 5 hearts.

[jdonn]

I meant over 3NT, if 3NT shows 18-19. It looks like you think I meant over 2NT?

[Hanoi5]

Over 3NT responder can pass. Any other bid at the 4 level would be forward going, meaning 10+.

[cherdano]

Hanoi5, on Nov 21 2008, 09:55 AM, said:

So obvious you can't even mention them?

How about
- you can't show the hand with a solid major and 16-18 in the style you suggest, and
- you might be too high with 15-17 opposite 6 hcp in 2NT?
Are these obvious enough?

[jdonn]

Hanoi5, on Nov 21 2008, 01:08 PM, said:

Over 3NT responder can pass. Any other bid at the 4 level would be forward going, meaning 10+.

Why do I feel like this is going in circles a little.

You ask what are the downsides to playing a 3NT rebid is 18-19 balanced. Say the auction goes 1♠ 1NT 3NT.

- Responder can't show both a very weak hand with a minor, and a hand with a minor that might make game or slam.
- Responder can't search for a heart fit.
- Responder can't show a limit raise in spades abd a very weak raise where he meant to bid 1NT then 2♠.

And those are just problems over the 3NT rebid itself. Cherdano lists other obvious problems.

[InTime]

The 3NT rebid is a very space consuming bid. It should therefore be reserved to show a specific hand whatever you and you partner should agree on. After this bid, it is up to responder to place the final contract.

What I have seen Richie Reisig training the juniors on BBO is that:
1m/1M - 1Any
3NT is describing a solid 6-card suit (minor or major) 18-19 pts.
Regards