[ArcLight]

It seems 20-21 is the more common range, though I've seen some use 20-22.

Which range do you use and why? What are the strengths and weaknesses of 20-21 vs 20-22.

It seems 20-21 is rather narrow, and 20-22, while still narrow, fits in better with 15-17.

What are your thoughts?

[inquiry]

I play 2NT as 20 to bad 22. My 2NT range is marked 20-21. I use multi 2D as 23-24 but include good 22 hcp in this range, and a bad 22 is included in the 2NT range. What is a good 22? It never is 4333. It always is Ten rich, a good five card suit is a nice addition, but 4432 with no jacks, and with two tens might make it.

The truth of the matter is that over 2NT your partner generally has to decide rather to bid game or not. that is there is no room to invite. So you need narrow range. So for me, 22 hcp doesn't exits... I treat it as 21 or 23.

Ben

[Free]

That's one sollution, another is to play multi with 22-23, and 2NT with 20-21. When was the last time you got a 24+ HCP hand anyway?

However, 20-22 isn't that bad, responder just needs to evaluate his hand nicely, which might be a problem for some players. Hands with 4 Jacks are not worth the same as a hand with KJx in a suit, you know what I mean. Don't be blind about HCP

[daswallow]

I play benji-acol, so we have 2NT = 19-20 (a bit low, i know!), 2c followed by 2NT = 21-22, and 2d followed by 2NT = 23-24.
Although the direct 2NT is a bit lower than normal, it does allow the balanced hands to be broken down into 2 point ranges. We can also distinguish the very strong game force hands from the 8/9 trick Acol-2 hands.
However, we lose a weak 2 in diamonds (tho shove some of them in with 3d) or whatever else could be used in its place.

[junyi_zhu]

ArcLight, on Nov 29 2004, 02:11 PM, said:

It seems 20-21 is the more common range, though I've seen some use 20-22.

Which range do you use and why? What are the strengths and weaknesses of 20-21 vs 20-22.

It seems 20-21 is rather narrow, and 20-22, while still narrow, fits in better with 15-17.

What are your thoughts?

20 to bad 22 might be the solution. My official range is good 19 to bad 22. Actually you can think it this way, if you want to play 3NT facing only one king, you should probably open 2C. Otherwise, you can open 2NT.

[paulg]

The traditional range in the UK has always been 20-22 HCP.

Although a narrower range would be preferable I haven't noticed any trend to change this. I think we've all got bigger problems to address (like what does a 3♠ response mean)

Cheers

Paul

[luke warm]

rosenkrantz suggested never having a 20 hcp hand.. so 21-22 would be the range, and 20's are downgraded to 19 or upgraded to 21

[Fluffy]

I play 20-21 when playing a forcing 2♦ opening, closest range at high levels is good.

But when I play weak 2♦ opening I play 20-22, and 23+ for GF 2♣ openings.

[inquiry]

luke warm, on Nov 29 2004, 01:26 PM, said:

rosenkrantz suggested never having a 20 hcp hand.. so 21-22 would be the range, and 20's are downgraded to 19 or upgraded to 21

Hey, this is what I do.. but since my 1NT is 14-16, it is better never to have 22 point hand (less common too).

Ben

[Flame]

The problem with 20-22 as opposite to 15-17 you are one level higher and in some suquences you cant invite. transfers/stayman/ or just balance you sometimes have to guess guess.
I still play 20-22 (like 95% in my county) because i didnt cre to change it and because i dont have a good alternative, or more correctly i dont think its importent enough to use 2 bids (with the 2d) maybe thats wrong.

[mila85]

I open 21-22 bal. hands 2♣.
It's possible to stop at 2♥/2♠/3♣/3♦ when my partner is very weak.

Multi can be 23-24(25).
With stronger hands I open also 2♣ and I rebid my 5 card suit. If I don't have one I must rebid 3NT. It's not very nice but when did you last get 26+ HCP to your hand?.....

2NT opening is free.

[KiwiBridge]

Playing Acol, we have 20-22 in the multi, but always has a five card suit, i.e. 5332 shape. Thus 2NT opening is 21-22 flat, followed by Baron, transfers and 3♠ showing 5♠ and 4♥. 20HCP in a flat hand often leads to a bad result, hence the distinction of having a 5 card suit.

[bearmum]

the way we play Precision 2NT is 22-23
as 1♣1♦1nt = 16-19
1♣1♦2NT =20-21
1♣1♦3NT = 24-26 ALL NY bids DENY a 5 card suit BTW

[OrShoham]

Good 19 to 21. Since I play that 4-3-3-3 hands are always downgraded one point, very specific 22 HCP hands can fit into this range as well. Sadly, my multi 2D doesn't feature a strong 2NT option, or I might change my opinion.
With some partners (I try to fit my bidding to other people's system), I play multi with a 20-22 option, and 2NT opening always unusual.

[whereagles]

Playing a souped-up version of 2/1 I bid balanced hands like this: (1st 2nd NV only!)

9-11 = open 1NT
12-14 = open 1C, rebid 1NT
15-17 = open 1D, rebid 1NT
18-19 = open best minor, rebid 2NT
20-bad 22 = open 2NT
good 22-24 = open 2C, rebid 2NT
25-27 = open 2C, rebid 3NT
28+ = never had one... lol