Thursday, April 24, 2003 12:07 AM

Hand Evaluation - Systemic ( 1NT responses )

PITBULLS:

In match points , a double partial swing is a disaster . In IMPS , it just hurts to the tune of 6 or 7 IMPS which is quite substantial. As preventative medicine for these type of auctions , established partnerships have some common situations thoroughly discussed. One very common situation is 1♣/♦ pass 1NT so around to you in the balancing . The 1NT responder does not have a 4 card major so usually fits partners minor . These hands are easy to play as you run the 5 card minor & a few outside tricks for your +120 . Meanwhile back at the ranch you can make +140 in the majors but could not get into the auction .

I have very strong feelings that all doubles of NT contracts should be penalty orientated . We do not like bidding their minor in the balancing as natural . If your minor is that good that you can bid it , you may as well double 1NT for the lead ! ♠xx ♥xx ♦xxx ♣AKQ10xx . Why balance 2♣ natural over a 1♣ 1NT auction when you have them booked in your own hand with a club lead ? Also over a club you may have a number of good hands that you cannot bid over a club . Why ? because you have a club opening bid yourself . Double for a club lead quite often results in +200 to +800 . Do not waste a double as a takeout to the majors .

O.K. these leaves only one bid left for the balance to the majors . This is bidding their suit in the balancing . You have ♠KQxx ♥AJ10x ♦x ♣xxxx and should not sell out to their 1NT . You do not want to defend 1NT X so bid their suit as a takeout to the majors . Simple , but you have to be on the same wave length as your established partner.

Another common situation to be discussed is where the opponents bid directly over your forcing 1NT in the “sandwich” position . These overcalls can be troublesome if you have no understandings . Tom Gandolfo taught me a good way of handling these auctions which allow maximum flexibility. The opponents take a risk my entering your auction in the sandwich position. This risk is minimized when the opener bids to get them off the hook .

A	A	x	x
K	K	x	x
x	x
x	x
x

How many times have you heard partner rescue an overcaller by bidding again . They have bid 2♦ vul right into your 10 HCP with 4 trump KQ109 & partner rescues them. Tom’s solution is simple. Opener should double with a defensive hand rather than bidding directly. We will not lose the heart fit because the 1NT bidder will bid 2♥ or something if 2♦ cannot be left in . If opener has a bigger hand say

A	A	x	A
K	x	x	K
J	x		x
x
x

a double is also appropriate . Leave the decision to the 1NT responder on what to do next . With diamonds , responder can convert & take the +800 . With no diamonds , she can bid so you land in the right contract eventually. What if opener has a penalty double of 2♦ ? Well she passes , if responder has appropriate defensive values & a non fit with partner , she doubles. You have them coming & going.

You also have some good inferences when partner has opened a dog . You now know not to compete with your reasonable hand . 1♥ 1NT , the enemy bid 2♦ & it gets raised to 3♦ . You know partner does not have a good hand as she did not double initially . She does not have a penalty double of 3♦ if the opponents are sane , therefore she has a bad hand. Putting your green card on the table is probably a good idea. A double by you is not penalty but shows a very good hand in this auction.