Last Update: 28th August 2015
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COMPETING OVER 1NT OPENINGS II
BOB PATTINSON It was noted in the previous article that Conventional overcalls over 1NT cover various combinations of four hand types:
Of the four conventions examined last time Uniclub came the closest to covering these four hand types by allowing three of these to be shown, single, two and three suited hands, but at the cost of losing the penalty double. Four more conventions are summarised in the table below, with two of these retaining the double for penalties, and all four conventions covering both one and two suited hands.
2♣ = either ♦'s or the majors
Advancer bids:
2♦ to play if single suiter (pass/correct)
2♥/♠ to play if majors, or in 3♦ if not
2NT enquiry with a strong hand
2♦ = either a heart suit or spades plus a minor
Advancer bids:
2♥ to play if ♥'s ( pass/correct)
2♠ to play in spades, (or hearts if necessary) 2NT enquiry with a strong hand
2♥ = ♥'s plus a minor ( 2NT asks for the minor)
2♠ = natural
2NT = minor two suiter ANTI in practice after a 1NT opening
The ambiguity of Anti’s 2♣ and 2♦
interventions can create some problems for the opponents. On
the other hand, these conventional bids allow the opportunity
for lead directing doubles, cue bids in the transfer suit,
and other such conventional bids to be employed by the
opponents. Defences to NT interventions will be examined next
time.
ooOoo
A. SON 74
This convention, developed by Swedish internationals Mats Nilsland and Rolf-Eric Andersson, uses Stayman responses for major and minor suits and transfers normally played over an opening 1NT bid.
Responses over 2C:
This convention is simple in that it follows the normal system used by the vast majority of players when responding to partner’s 1NT opening. The main difference is the willingness to search for 4-3 major suit fits. It is also possible to play in a diamond contract at the two level. The transfer bids ensure the 1NT opener is on lead if the intervening side buy the contract, which may gain a trick in the play. ooOoo
Tornalle Developed
by Torbjorn Gustavsson of Sweden to enter over strong NT
with 6 card one suited hands or 5-5 two suited hands.
When
one of the four possible two way overcalls occur, advancer
assumes that partner holds the single suited hand and accepts
the transfer.
Tornalle in practice after a 1NT opening:
Tornalle
is ideal for more conservative bidders who want to avoid
giving away any penalties. The requirement of 6 cards for one
suited interventions and 5-5 for two suited hands reduces the
chance of penalties. On the other hand, the opportunities for
intervening over 1NT bids are greatly reduced.
This convention does have the advantage of allowing the intervening side to play in the minor suits at the two level. ooOoo
Developed
by Marty Bergen to compete over strong 1NT openings with
distributional hands, this convention aims to reach part score
contracts in the main, seldom game contracts. The original
version is as follows:
Intervenor's responses to the 2NT enquiry Over 2♣ : 2NT
Over 2♦ : 2NT
Minors responses show weak hands, majors strong hands. Over 2♥ : 2NT
Over
the years DONT has become more popular, and many partnerships
now use it as a defence to weak NT as well as strong. The
original requirements have been adjusted to allow more frequent
interference over 1NT openings, examples being:
If
using 4-4 distributions it is important that the four card
suits are of good quality. Note that DONT is like UNICLUB
outlined in the first article, except that in the latter
convention 2♠ shows a 3 suiter with ♠'s, and 2NT a 3 suiter without ♠'s.
DONT in practice after a 1NT opening:
Both hands are from teams, on example 1, 2♠ made, as against 1NT by opener, and on example 2 a similar result occurred. |
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