Wednesday, July 31, 2002 3:58 AM

Tactics - Disturbing our NT Counter Measures

PITBULLS:

    In the opinion of Mike Lawrence one of the nastiest things to deal with in Bridge is when the opponents are trying to wreck your NT sequences . Understandings are essential and there are many ways to counter their notrump defenses . Some counter measures suggest negative doubles at the 2 level . I can not stomach that idea as forcing the NT hand to re-open is scary and penalty doubles after a NT opening is very natural and it works ! I have analyzed many complicated counter measures on the net and I do not see the advantages to such artificiality ( lots of relays and transfers ) Finally I looked at the Bridge World understandings ( below ) and they seem to cover the bases well enough . Tom & I play Rubinsohl and D.S.I.P. double understandings but you still need more treatments.

Opponents double 1NT 

      xx of an artificial x is strength-showing,

    Over a   penalty x of 1NT  system is not on 
     Over a non-penalty x of 1NT  system is still on 

      xx of a penalty double is defined by the partnership ( punitive or runout etc ) Tom & play as single suit runout

Opponents overcall  our 1NT

 Lebensohl or Rubinsohl after two-level overcalls of one notrump.

Lebensohl or Rubinsohl applies over artificiality, regardless,
                 -   Suppose for example 2♥ means EITHER spades
                  OR clubs and diamonds Lebonsohl is still on

A leap to 3NT over a 2 suited bid shows no stopper in the lower ranking suit

                     2♦  ( both majors )

 ex  1NT                                    3NT ( no heart stopper )

 Assign meanings to bidding the suits that the artificial overcall is showing (unless playing Rubinsohl )

             - A bid in a suit shown by the artificial defense is at
                least a game invitation, forcing to two notrump, Staymanish ?

             - Showing the other two suits ?

             - If the 2 suits shown by the overcaller are not bid then assign meanings to

                bidding the lower ranking one and another meaning to the higher ranking one

             - a relay with partnership defined sequences ?

2♥  ( shows spades and a minor )

 1NT                                                              2♠ ( Stayman for hearts and forcing to 2NT )

 Assign meanings to a direct bid of the artificial suit

              - natural and forcing - Lebonsohl if you want to compete

 Assign a meaning to a direct bid of a natural suit

              - If minor then Stayman

              - If major then strong 2 suiter with the other major ? 

 Negative doubles after one-notrump opening, at the three level.

 x of a natural bid is for penalties or D.S.I.P. ,

 x of an artificial bid suggests a penalty x of the escape with the exception that a double of artificial 2♣ is Stayman

Lebonsohl or Rubinsohl if their artificial bid is your suit and  you do not have forcing to game values 

 After a penalty suggestion, the partnership may not
         pass below two notrump i.e. forcing passes ,

  After a penalty suggestion:  new-suit bids are forcing;
         raises and two notrump are nonforcing,     

   Bids in suits not indicated (although possibly bid)
         have the same meanings they would have had if the
         intervention had been natural,

2♠  ( spades & a minor )

 ex   1NT                                             3H forcing and natural    ( double would show spades or HCP's )

Anyway ,  the opponents who try to wreak havoc over your NT do not have to have suggested defenses . Its up to you to fight terrorist tactics with sound partnership understandings. Using their bids as a stepping stone to clarify your auction is the best counter measure.  Comments ? Suggestions ?