2007-09-16 02:40

Hand Evaluation – Systemic ( 2NT after a Minor )

PITBULLS:

Defining a 2NT response to a minor opening has been debated for eons . Should we have it invitational or should we have it forcing to game ? Since we play a Q bid in competition , our Jacoby 2NT , our godfather “new suit 2NT “ by responder as limit raise or better, we have decided the direct 2NT response to a minor can also convey the same message. A 2NT response to a minor is a limit raise or better up to a maximum of 15 HCP. We had a fix hand held by opener though. If we had a flat opening hand with 12-13 HCP’s , we did not have an escape from a 2NT response as it was a one round force, we had to carry on to 3NT . This involved playing the cards like Meckwell in a 23 HCP game.

Tom Gandolfo came up with a nice fix for the above dilemma. Why not play jumping to 2NT by responder as a balanced hand limit raise or better but with a minimum of 4 cards for partner’s minor ? This treatment immediately takes all balanced hands out of the inverted minor structure in that HCP range A 5-3-3-2 with 5 of openers minor would still be a 2NT response ( softer values ) . This understanding also allows an additional escape hatch to 3 of your minor by opener on a 4 card minor suit. Think about it ! This means that after a 1♣ opening bid , when holding a flat hand in the limit raise + HCP range without 4 or more clubs , responder can always manufacture a 1♦ bid on a 3 card suit or bid a 4 card major. If you have 4 or more of partner’s clubs with a balanced 11+ to 15 HCP’s , you can now bid 2NT.

After a 1♦ opener there is only one fix hand type , that is very rare. If you have a balanced hand without a 4 card major , nor 4 diamonds , you must have 4 or more clubs, by the law of 13 cards. This means with a balanced 12 –15 HCP’s , you may have to bid 2♣ after a 1♦ opener rather than 2NT ( no 4 card ♦ fit ) . This 2♣ bid conserves bidding room , so not a huge inconvenience. The Kokish treatment of 1♦-2♣ kicks in , so you should have no problems. The only fix hand is specifically a 4-3-3-3 with 10-11 HCP’s & 4♣. This is no loss as a 1NT bid describes this very bad hand type quite nicely.

Partner will never hold a balanced hand for an inverted minor unless she is past the 15 HCP upper limit for the 2NT range or “all controls” . This information is very helpful for minor slams. Good systemic bids for getting to minor slams are gold. An inverted minor should only be chosen with a 5-3-3-2 in this variable HCP range when the nature of the HCP’s is all controls. Two different bids for the same hand pattern & HCP range but soft values vrs controls . I like it !!

Sometimes with huge hands for partner’s minor , you make an inverted minor in lieu of a 4 card major. You can still find your 4-4 major suit , if slam is not in the cards. We just use the Kokish understanding that responder is responsible for finding 4-4 major suit fits. Responders major suit bid is a natural suit after openers 2NT or 3 of the agreed minor rebid.