August 8, 2003 5:40 PM

1NT Structure Revisited

PITBULLS:

Vish , my partner of years ago , has a NT structure different then played around here but still covering all the bases. It still boils down to defining special meanings to 2S , 2NT , Stayman and jumps. Vish has the following meanings

Scrambles:

1NT-2C-2D-2H Pass with 3; with 2, remove to 2S with 3 Spades.

1NT-2C-2H-2S Pass with 3, remove to 2NT

1NT-2C-2D-2S is invt. 5=4, not a scramble. 1NT-2D-2H-2S is 4=5 invt.

1NT-3C,3D Invt.

1NT-2NT Relay to 3C to sign off in minor. Over 3C, 3H/3S is splinter with clubs to resolve decision to play 3NT or club contract. This is how to show the forcing to game club hands that need a fit and non duplication of value for 5 or 6 clubs.

1NT-3H/3S Companion hand to above, splinter with diamonds. This is the single suited diamond hand that allows you to find 5D or 3NT.

1NT-2NT-3C-3NT both minors, nf

1NT-2C-2Any- 3C/3D strong 5-4 hand

Smolen

The 2S bid is the best bid in the system as it covers all slam hands whether major or minor. No contortions with transfers or special sequences to show slam hands. KCB at a low level and slam tries starting at the 3 level.

1NT-2S asks if opener is min. or max. To be used with either an invt. hand w/o major, or with any single suited hand with slam possibility. Opener can only rebid 2NT (min.) or 3C (max.). Over either response, responder bids his suit (1NT-2S-3C-4C is awkward but playable). Opener responds RKC with better than xx support but skips 3NT in his response. 3NT is reserved to show xx in responders suit. (4C after 3NT is RKC). The 2S bid is quite useful since it establishes slam interest at a low level.

Corollary: 1NT-4NT is now free to be used to explore balanced hand slam exploration. Decent 4-card suits bid up the line over 4NT, opener knows his overall strength is not relevant since no 2S. Auction forcing to 5NT.