[OBSugar]

So, when the opponents double my 1NT for penalty, what the heck can I do about it? Taken a couple beatings lately. I imagine there is an escape route that I haven't learned yet?

[kuhchung]

Here is a natural escape sequence that I play in my partnerships.

2C = 5+ clubs, to play
2D = 5+ diamonds, to play
2H = 5+ hearts, to play
2S = 5+ spades, to play
pass = to play
redouble = to play

The 3 level follows the same pattern as the 2 level.

[Hanoi5]

If you're playing a strong notrump (15-17 or stronger) this is not a usual problem. Playing the weak nt you need to have this covered. Usually there is a system based on redoubles and passes that force a redouble.

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Partner bids 2♣ and we can pass with Clubs or bid diamonds, hearts to show diamonds and spades, hearts and clubs (respectively). Or it might just ask partner to bid his longest suit, but then you lose the possibility to show two places to play.

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We can pass partner's redouble or bid clubs, diamonds, hearts or spades to show clubs-diamonds, diamonds-hearts, hearts-spades or spades-clubs.

[helene_t]

I would play system on and rdbl=weak hand with either clubs or diamonds. Opener bids 2♣ which responder can pass (with clubs) or correct (with diamonds).

If responder passes and opener has a 5-card suit, he redoubles. Responder can leave it in if he is happy with 1NTx, otherwise he bids 2♣ which opener passes with five clubs and otherwise opener bids his suit.

If responder bids stayman and it goes
1NT-(x)-2♣
2♦-2♥
this shows a weak hand even if you normally play this sequency as invitational. With an invitational hand, responder would not have used stayman after the double but would have passed.

This way you are able to stay in your system when opps make a double which is not penalty (DONT, for example).

It is not the best way to escape since you won't be able to scramble for a 4-4 fit, but playing strong notrump I wouldn't worry too much about that.

[Hanoi5]

Using the one I mentioned (which is probably better explained somewhere else, and migh have errors) you can play system-on over the double as the escape route uses only the pass and redouble.

[PhantomSac]

Playing strong NT I like for pass to be non forcing since 1N X might just be the best spot (and it puts pressure on third hand sometimes). So I just play:

2C=C+another
2D+D+major
2M=nat

XX=1 minor or both majors

Does not guarantee getting to the best spot but you can show your 2 suiters and you can bid 2M nat which is a good preemptive bid.

[steve2005]

Strong NT is vulnerable to penalty doubles just as Weak NT is. The big problem is when p is weak, you never get to board to take finesses. And since most parnerships haven't discussed escapes they cant scramble efficiently.

You have a few of issues to decide before designing a system.

1) Are you going to play systems on over a penalty double. If you do this means you only have Pass and Redouble to assign extra meaning. Or are you going to use different bids over a penalty double.

2) Are you going to try to play in 1NXX when you think 1N making.

3) Is 1NX a possible place to play.

Once you've decided this you can probably pick your methods from established weak NT methods.

[ggwhiz]

I play pass is not forcing but opener can remove to a 5-card suit (missing out when we were in a making spot) and all 2 level bids are natural (5+ cards). Redouble starts a scramble and we bid 4-card suits up the line after that.

Nothing is perfect but we found this easy to remember in a fairly rare auction.

[aguahombre]

 PhantomSac, on 2015-February-10, 15:08, said:

Playing strong NT I like for pass to be non forcing since 1N X might just be the best spot (and it puts pressure on third hand sometimes). So I just play:

2C=C+another
2D+D+major
2M=nat

XX=1 minor or both majors

Does not guarantee getting to the best spot but you can show your 2 suiters and you can bid 2M nat which is a good preemptive bid.

This works really well. For the most part it is responder, not opener who should do the scrambling.

But, I still like Kuhchung's humor in answer to the OP's actual question.

[kuhchung]

 aguahombre, on 2015-February-10, 17:53, said:

This works really well. For the most part it is responder, not opener who should do the scrambling.

But, I still like Kuhchung's humor in answer to the OP's actual question.

i actually play that

[aguahombre]

 kuhchung, on 2015-February-10, 18:14, said:

i actually play that

I hope so. It means you are normal. The humor was in the profound expression of the obvious.

[OBSugar]

Thanks all for the insights.