[ThymePuns]

Was kibitzing a rubber game and they had a disagreement over the meaning of:

1♣--(1♥)--1NT

Both players were SAYC. Responder thought it showed 6-10 points, but opener expected more. Responder had 6 and neither had hearts and they went down 4 in 3NT.

My assumption is it shows at least 1 stopper, preferably 2, in hearts, a balanced hand with no support for opener's suit, and 8 or more points. Without a fit and no heart stoppers, 1NT might already be too high.

What do you think? It seems like either way it's not a very useful bid and there might be a better conventional meaning (maybe Lebensohl to show a weak hand with a long suit).

[the hog]

I play it as about 8-10 with a stopper with a pick up pd.
In real partnerships I play it as a transfer to C, with 2C t/f to Ds etc.

[HeavyDluxe]

I just looked at 'The Book' at the ACBL site. Unless I'm blind, this particular auction isn't outlined.

1x - (dbl) - 1NT is, however, and implies 6-10pt balanced hand. The OKBridge mashup of SAYC says something similar, fwiw.

[han]

I would expect an expert partner to have about 8-11, maybe a good 7. And a stopper of course.

[Codo]

yes surely around 8-10 and a stopper, at least one.

[jdonn]

Yup 8-10 plus and minus a little bit.

I always giggle a little when people say they prefer 2 stoppers for a bid like this. Because of course you do. Just like I prefer 17 over 15 when I open 1NT.

[Fluffy]

It doesn't have to be balanced at all.

1NT shows a hand that wills to play 1NT if partner doesn't have extras

[Viren169]

Hi,

I think 1N should be constructive with about 7-11 with a stop.
Anything less, perhaps a pass is best, and wait for pd to reopen.

BR
Viren

[ThymePuns]

jdonn, on Dec 16 2008, 04:14 AM, said:

Yup 8-10 plus and minus a little bit.

I always giggle a little when people say they prefer 2 stoppers for a bid like this. Because of course you do. Just like I prefer 17 over 15 when I open 1NT.

I mean with less than 2, I'd expect a hand on the high side.