Bidding
Robert Todd
(545) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT in ...

After partner opens 1NT, we have a good structure for using our bids efficiently to describe our hand to partner. But when the opponents interfere in our auction, we lose some of this valuable bidding space and need to change our approach in order to deal with their interference.

(545) NT Bidding: Responding to 1NT in Competition - Lebensohl
Bidding
Robert Todd
(544) NT Bidding: Transfer Landy+ vs. Weak 1NT ...

When the opponents open the bidding with a weak 1NT we need a good method for dealing with their unusual opening bid. The most common range for a weak NT is 12-14 points, but we define 1NT to be weak if the range does not contain 16 points. When constructing a system to allow us to bid over these weak 1NT openings we need to take a different approach than bidding over a strong 1NT opening. We frequently may have a powerful enough hand to be interested in exploring game when the opponents open a weak 1NT. Thus, we construct our bidding system to allow us to explore game and make constructive bids, not just be destructive.

(544) NT Bidding: Transfer Landy+ vs. Weak 1NT Openings
Bidding
Robert Todd
(543) NT Bidding: Penalty Double Systems vs. NT ...

When the opponents are playing a “Weak 1NT” opening bid (for example, 12-14 points), we need to bid only when we have a decently valued hand. We tend to bid with hands that would normally have overcalled at the 2-level, hands with about opening values. Here we are primarily bidding constructively because when the opponents open a “Weak 1NT” our side may still have game. If we bid destructively (with only shape and without much strength) then if partner has values, they may push the auction too high. It is common to use a different bidding system against the opponents’ Weak 1NT opening bid than the one you use against a strong 1NT opening. These systems usually contain a penalty double that allows us to show a very good hand as well, and thus penalize the opponents when partner also has some values.

(543) NT Bidding: Penalty Double Systems vs. NT Openings
Bidding
Robert Todd
(542) NT Bidding: Woolsey

There are many artificial systems for competing over the opponent’s 1NT opening bid. Systems like DONT or Meckwell are built around finding a fit and competing in the bidding as efficiently as possible – allowing us to show all our suits at the 2-level. One downside of playing DONT or Meckwell is when we show a 2-suited hand (like a Major + minor) then we do not know which suit is longer (either one could be a 5-card or 4-card suit). This can lead to missing a Major suit fit. There is another system, called Woolsey (named after its creator Kit Woolsey, one of the top bidding theorists) that is focused on finding Major suit fits while allowing us to compete as cheaply as possible. Let’s see how this system works.

(542) NT Bidding: Woolsey
Bidding
Robert Todd
(541) NT Bidding: DONT and Meckwell

It is time to look at some more common auctions  -- our NT Openings and their NT Openings.  We'll start with some ways of attacking their NT Opening bids... DONT and Meckwell... Bidding Stystems that allow us to be extremely active!

(541) NT Bidding: DONT and Meckwell

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(543) NT Bidding: Penalty Double Systems vs. NT Openings

(543) NT Bidding: Penalty Double Systems vs. NT Openings

When the opponents are playing a “Weak 1NT” opening bid (for example, 12-14 points), we need to bid only when we have a decently valued hand. We tend to bid with hands that would normally have overcalled at the 2-level, hands with about opening values. Here we are primarily bidding constructively because when the opponents open a “Weak 1NT” our side may still have game. If we bid destructively (with only shape and without much strength) then if partner has values, they may push the auction too high. It is common to use a different bidding system against the opponents’ Weak 1NT opening bid than the one you use against a strong 1NT opening. These systems usually contain a penalty double that allows us to show a very good hand as well, and thus penalize the opponents when partner also has some values.

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(537) Slam Bidding: Responding to 4NT Keycard with a Void

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(537) Slam Bidding: Responding to 4NT Keycard with a Void

When partner bids 4NT as Keycard in our established fit, a void in a side suit can be useful. We may still be able to make a slam if we are missing two Aces/Keycards if the void is in a suit of one of those missing side Aces. We need a way to tell partner about this void if we haven’t already done so earlier in the auction.

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(536) Slam Bidding: Dealing with Interference Over Ace-Asking Bids

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(536) Slam Bidding: Dealing with Interference Over Ace-Asking Bids

On some highly distributional hands when we ask for Keycards (or Aces) using 4NT, the opponents choose to bid over our 4NT bid in an effort to obstruct our communication and “get in the way”. We should be prepared for this type of interference and have agreements for how to communicate with partner (show our number of Keycards or Aces) in this situation. Here we look at how to do this.

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(535) Slam Bidding: 5NT Choice of Slams

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(535) Slam Bidding: 5NT Choice of Slams

5NT is not a common bid. We most frequently use it in Ace-asking auctions to ask for Kings. We now have another use of a 5NT bid in Grand Slam Force. But trying for a grand slam is a rare occurrence and we would like to use 5NT (specially a jump to 5NT) for another more frequently useful purpose. The modern approach is to play a jump to 5NT as a “choice of slams” to help up find the best small slam. Let’s see how this works.

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

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(520) NT Auctions: Opponents' Doubles of Our Stayman and Transfers

When we open a NT and partner uses an artificial conventional responses, like Stayman or Transfers, then the opponents might double as lead directing. We want to use this double against them. Here we discuss our options for bidding after this double.