[jillybean]

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[Cyberyeti]

I'm opening 1♦ and rebidding 1N like I'm 2443, but I play a weak NT, I would not OPEN a strong NT

[jillybean]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-August-23, 08:44, said:

I'm opening 1♦ and rebidding 1N like I'm 2443, but I play a weak NT, I would not OPEN a strong NT

Fair enough, what is your plan playing strong nt?

[mike777]

1D, over 1S response will reverse into hearts.

[jillybean]

I am NOT reversing with K,AJ,QJ,AJ and a singleton in partners suit.

I love this game.

[mike777]

Why not, not gf, I can stop low
But understand opening 1NT

[fred]

If I was asked to construct an ideal hand for opening a (strong) 1NT with a singleton, it would look a lot like this hand (and, not that it really matters, but the vulnerability is ideal).

I honestly wouldn't even consider any alternatives and would bet that a clear majority of today's top players would agree.

Sounds like you opened 1NT, Jilly. If so, very good judgment IMO

[mw64ahw]

No opening of NT for me with a singleton.
The singleton has some value opposite partner's 1♠, but its moot whether this is strong enough for a reverse.
Playing my esoteric unbalanced ♦ a NT bid shows short ♠ and 3/4♥ after partner's 1♥ (either/both Majors)

[jillybean]

fred, on 2026-August-23, 09:43, said:

If I was asked to construct an ideal hand for opening a (strong) 1NT with a singleton, it would look a lot like this hand (and, not that it really matters, but the vulnerability is ideal).

I honestly wouldn't even consider any alternatives and would bet that a clear majority of today's top players would agree.

Sounds like you opened 1NT, Jilly. If so, very good judgment IMO

It would be very tacky to upvote this reply, wouldn't it? Let's see how many 1NT'ers reveal themselves now.

I'll leave it here for now — it's game day, I'll pick this up again later.

[apollo1201]

Hard not to open 1NT on this one.

Alternative is opening 1D followed, probably, by 2C over 1S (or 1NT). If you play 1D - 2H as weak(ish) 5S + 4H, you could be easier with opening 1D, though.

[mycroft]

If you open 1NT, well, listen to Fred.

When your partner puts you in 4♠ on a texas (or 2♠ on a near-yarb) and it goes wrong, you stepped out. Accept the L for when you choose to step out and it's wrong and get on to the next hand. You'll be right in many more cases, if a top-class expert is to be believed :-).

I hate opening 1NT on a major singleton, because, well, the previous paragraph. But even I might do it on this one.

[pescetom]

I cannot imagine an opening other than 1NT, both because of my superior systems there and the difficulty of any rebid over 1D if partner lacks hearts.
After many years of similar agreements, I cheerfully accept the occasional spades disaster.

Glad to see myself in such noble company for once

[johnu]

jillybean, on 2026-August-23, 10:59, said:

It would be very tacky to upvote this reply, wouldn't it? Let's see how many 1NT'ers reveal themselves now.

An opening strong 1NT is a lousy bid with this hand. However, it's more accurate and descriptive than opening 1♦ and almost every continuation, so that's my opening bid. For those worried about partner bidding spades, a singleton spade honor like ♠K will usually play about as well or better than ♠xx so I don't worry about having a singleton honor.

[jillybean]

I ran a little poll at the club today, and 3 players opened 1♦, 4 opened 1nt
I was surprised at the number who do open 1nt

As we bridge players tend to be, the naysayers were quite vocal about the question.
"70% of the time it backfires, 30% of the time you get away with it"
"only a silly ass would open 1nt"


The yeasayers;
"Of course, you can't bid this hand if you open anything else"
"1nt, I don't like the singleton spade but when partner texas's to 4♠, at least my singleton is hidden"

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Let us start with 1♦, partner will make a game forcing bid showing clubs.
If you raise clubs - how would your partner proceed shape or controls..?

[mike777]

Rebid 2H, not 3C.

[jillybean]

mike777, on 2026-August-23, 18:23, said:

Rebid 2H, not 3C.

Your partner has shown a gf hand with 5+ clubs
If you do bid 2♥ partner rmay bid 2N

[mike777]

3C over 2NT

[jillybean]

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