[jillybean]

---

What is your usual opening? Does it change if this is the last hand of a TG and you are trailing by 3imp?

[gszes]

my methods of bidding have something to do with my decision to
open 1c rather that 1n. My hand is shaped in a way that makes it
better if p can become declarer (espcially in NT). Opening 1c and
tailoring my bidding around what p does goes a long way toward
what i hope is "rightsiding" our final contract (which we hope will
be spades or nt).

[mike777]

1nt if 15-17

1c if 1nt is 14-16, plan is to rebid 2nt not 3c.

[ggwhiz]

1♣ against passive opponents, (Americans? )

1nt against aggressive ones (Canadians )

The ugly auctions are when the opps are in 2 of something back to you after pard passes and there are more ugly ones when they come in more easily over 1♣ but at least they are red and I like my defence.

I would still go for 1♣ for gszes reasons and our own constructive bidding and knowing or thinking we only need a small swing. If I knew the opp sitting in my seat it's close enough that I might try to pick the opposite of their choice.

My usual choice at favourable or unfavourable is 1nt.

[jillybean]

This was from a team match last night, trailing 5-8 going into the last board my funky 1nt (swish) opening won the match for us.

Partner held T4, 8643, QJ987,KT.

At the other table the auction went 1♣ (1♠) P (2♠) 3♣ for -1

[PhilKing]

If I opened 1NT partner would have both black kings and four small diamonds.

1♣. I will bid 2♥ over a 1♠ response and 2NT over a red suit. And if the auction gets competitive, bidding our suit sometimes helps.

[Zelandakh]

I am happier treating this hand as 18 balanced than 16 or 17, so 1NT is out. Are you sure it was the 1NT opening that won the match rather than the 3♣ rebid at the other table?

[jillybean]

Absolutely! If I hadn't opened this hand 1nt I would feel inclined to take another bid at the 3 level when the opps got into the action.

I know it's not a great hand to endorse opening 1nt on all 15-17 hands. I receive some criticism for my off shape nt openings that it was nice to post what I believe was a success.

[PhilKing]

jillybean, on 2012-December-04, 09:39, said:

Absolutely! If I hadn't opened this hand 1nt I would feel inclined to take another bid at the 3 level when the opps got into the action.

I know it's not a great hand to endorse opening 1nt on all 15-17 hands. I receive some criticism for my off shape nt openings that it was nice to post what I believe was a success.

I think he means he could have rebid 2NT.

[jillybean]

PhilKing, on 2012-December-04, 09:45, said:

I think he means he could have rebid 2NT.

I wouldn't rebid 2N. You can avoid that problem too, by opening 1nt

[mikeh]

PhilKing, on 2012-December-04, 09:45, said:

I think he means he could have rebid 2NT.

To me, 2N there would show minors, obviously with longer clubs.

I think bidding a natural 2N on this auction caters to a very tiny range of hands.

[PhilKing]

mikeh, on 2012-December-04, 10:08, said:

To me, 2N there would show minors, obviously with longer clubs.

I think bidding a natural 2N on this auction caters to a very tiny range of hands.

Well, the 46 hand is a narrow range as well. Personally, I only play the 46 gadget as an overcaller. I like 2NT as natural (and guaranteeing long clubs) - I can't help it.

[mikeh]

PhilKing, on 2012-December-04, 10:20, said:

Well, the 46 hand is a narrow range as well. Personally, I only play the 46 gadget as an overcaller. I like 2NT as natural - I can't help it.

If I only included 46, I'd be more inclined to agree with you. However, some 5=6 or 5=7 hands are worth opening 1♣ but not, opposite a passing partner, worth 3♦. This only broadens the range modestly, but it does broaden it.

[Phil]

This hand is too good for 1N.

1♣--> 2N for me.

[jillybean]

Phil, on 2012-December-04, 11:57, said:

This hand is too good for 1N.

1♣--> 2N for me.

Hi Phil, why do you upgrade this hand?

[PhilKing]

Don't open 1NT if game has play opposite ♠xxx ♥xxx ♦xxx ♣9xxx

[the hog]

You realise that on a S lead you are cold for 3NT?

[Zelandakh]

jillybean, on 2012-December-04, 19:39, said:

Hi Phil, why do you upgrade this hand?

You have AQ to six plus AQx/Ax on the side! Aces are worth more than 4. Supported queens are good and not worth downgrading. A good six card suit is a huge feature. Why would you not upgrade this hand?

[P_Marlowe]

1C.

It does not matter that im 3 behind, this just means, we only need a minor swing,
e.g. a partial swing / make or go down in a game contract, nothing exceptionnally,
i.e. I am not going crazy.

1C gives me the most room to see, what happens.

With kind regaards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

you won the match, in the end it does not matter, what was the tipping point.

It may well be, that the 1NT opening made it harder fro them to localize there
spade fit.
It may well be, that the opener on the other table did expect to find a partner
hand this strong to remain silent after 1S overcall, and was bidding partners
cards for him, he guessed wrong.

Incidently, it seems 2Sx goes down -???, at least -1, so 1C may have won the
match,if you either remainded silent (AQx in their suit is a warning sign) or if you
would have find the guts to go for blood ..., going for blood could be justified,
if you want to create swings due to the state of match.
But you could only try go for blood, if partner made some noise.

On a more general node:

Ask yourself, why you want to make offshape 1NT openings.

The main reason to do is, a sensible 2nd bid, with the given hand, you have a good
rebid, that tells partner nearly everything about your hand (16-18HCP, 6 good clubs,
no 4 card side suit).
1NT tells partner 15-17HCP, balanced shape, 4 card majors are possible.

Another reason, you want to generate some action, you know, they have problems competing
over a strong NT opening, you lack partnership agreements to have a reasonable chance to find
out, if 6C is on or not.
Those reasons are also valid reasons to go for a 1NT opening bid.

With kind regards
Marlowe