Friday, February 06, 2004 2:43 PM

Balancing 1NT

PITBULLS:

An often misunderstood sequence is the balancing 1NT bid . The bid should be under a strong NT bid in the 10-14 HCP range . The bid is a “balance” and the only reason we are bidding in the first place is that partner probably has too many cards in the opponents suit to take initial action. The 1NT balance does not need a stopper in the opponents suit as partner is assumed to have one for not bidding initially.

Maurice introduced me to a very nice bid in these auctions . He suggests using a transfer into the opponents suit as a check back for a stopper. If no stopper , the 1NT balancer just accepts the transfer to the opponents suit .We can scramble into a fit after that by bidding the lowest ranking suit. With a stopper and a minimum , the balancer bids 2NT and with a stopper and a maximum he bids 3NT . Therefore the transfer to openers suit is an invite to a game somewhere . An excellent understanding !!

You can further the transfer idea by defining other bids as transfers also to get the opener on lead . Stayman is not possible as that is a transfer to diamonds. With the majors , partner would have chosen to double rather then balance 1NT anyway. Over a club opener and around to a balancing 1NT , 2 ♠ is the checkback for a stopper and 3♣ is bid without one and the scrambling starts.

In order for the NT balancing structure to work , it is handy to have the 2NT balance in the 18-19 HCP range with a stopper. Transfers apply here also but not of the “check back” variety. The strong NT is shown in the balancing spot by doubling first and then an immediate NT bid.

1♠-p-p-DBL p-2♥-p-2NT 15-17 HCP’s.

You hold xx Axx J1098x AQx in the balancing spot and the opponents open 1♠ and passed around to you . You balance 1NT and partner bids 2H . You accept the transfer as you do not have a spade stopper. Partner bids 3♦ and you take a shot and pound it to 5♦ . Opener has AKQJ10 of spades and the diamond king so you get +600 and they are in 3NT down one at the other table J.

xxxx Kx AQxx KJ10