[eagles123]

Matchpoints

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2/1 15-17 NT

is it close

thanks

Eagles

[gszes]

it is this kind of hand that drives directors crazy when opps complain "he only had 14". It might be best for all concerned and any ruling body in general to include the provision that all NT ranges include min- to max+ (15- to 17+) and make the game more one of judgement than nitpicking. We can put this on our CC but that kind of thing will often get overlooked especially if a pair arrives just in time. The number of times responder will bid 6/7 something :knowing: you have at least 15 hcp will crop up a couple of times a year so the slight expansion of range is anything but horrific. How about those 15 counts that look like dreck QJ AQ32 Q43 KJ32. How many downgrade that 15 count and open 1c instead? Again it is a matter of judgement.

[wank]

I'd open 1d but i wouldn't complain if p opened 1nt

[manudude03]

I would open 1NT, but I'd feel a lot happier if that ♠K was the ♣K.

[Phil]

At MPs red I'm not upgrading.

[jogs]

wank, on 2016-April-06, 17:12, said:

I'd open 1d but i wouldn't complain if p opened 1nt

You wouldn't complain, but would opponents complain after they misdefend?

[hrothgar]

I think that this is a clear 1NT.

All your points are Aces and Kings and you have an AK in your longest suit.

[hrothgar]

jogs, on 2016-April-06, 17:33, said:

You wouldn't complain, but would opponents complain after they misdefend?

Why should I care?

[nige1]

eagles123, on 2016-April-06, 16:31, said:

Matchpoints
2/1 15-17 NT
is it close
thanks

---

Close but I rank

• 1N = BAL 14+-17- HCP. Pre-emptive. IMO, 14 HCP in aces and kings with a good 5-card suit is quite enough. (I agree with gszes the law should mandate that you should declare the "actual HCP range that you use" rather than prevaricate with a so-called "upgrade" ranges).
• 1♦ = NAT. Lead-directional. You don't have much in the way of tenaces, to protect.

[akwoo]

The odd thing about this hand is that, if you have agreed to open 1N on balanced hands in range with a 5 card major, and the diamonds and hearts were switched, I don't think there would be many votes for 1N.

[MrAce]

eagles123, on 2016-April-06, 16:31, said:

Matchpoints

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2/1 15-17 NT

is it close

thanks

Eagles

You have 14 hcp, with a good 5 card suit and all prime cards. Only thing missing is the spot cards. I would not mind whichever pd prefers to open.
I would open 1 NT. With 3-2 majors it has sort of preemptive effect on LHO. Especially at MP.

[WesleyC]

akwoo, on 2016-April-06, 20:51, said:

The odd thing about this hand is that, if you have agreed to open 1N on balanced hands in range with a 5 card major, and the diamonds and hearts were switched, I don't think there would be many votes for 1N.

Really? Both look like clear 1NT opening to me, especially if you play 1M - 1NT as less than 100% forcing.

[rmnka447]

I'm more in the 1 ♦ camp although I'd have no problem if someone opened 1 NT I wouldn't be critical.

However, in any follow up bidding, I not apt to be turning down any invites and may be a bit more pushy than usual.

[helene_t]

1♦ but close. The hand is better than 14 for a suit contract, but I will raise if partner responds 1♥ so that's ok.

[billw55]

wank, on 2016-April-06, 17:12, said:

I'd open 1d but i wouldn't complain if p opened 1nt

Same for me. The high cards are good quality, but no spots and no incentive to get into our NT system.

[jogs]

hrothgar, on 2016-April-06, 18:14, said:

Why should I care?

This happens too often. BIT, 1NT. Then you know it is likely a 14 HCP 5332 NT.

[hrothgar]

jogs, on 2016-April-07, 07:06, said:

This happens too often. BIT, 1NT. Then you know it is likely a 14 HCP 5332 NT.

or a 4153 hand
or maybe a 6322
or very rarely a 7222
Then there was the time it was a 6331 with a stiff king
Or there are the times that its a balanced 8 count

(Then there's the really weird stuff)

Simply put, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

[ggwhiz]

1nt is hardly a hanging offence even though I voted obvious but I much prefer 1♦ with the lack of body cards.

Aces and Kings are better for suit play and notrump plays much better if pard happens to bid it.

I also have an advantage in that if I rebid 1nt and partner checks back with 2♣ I can super accept to show my shape and upper range.

[kenberg]

I am one of the 1D openers and, for me, it is not close. This means that I would not have to think twice about it, but I don't mean that anyone who opens it 1NT is clearly wrong. I am simply certain of what I would do. And I would not call a director if an opponent opened this 1NT when their card said 15-17.

About the director call. Any bridge book that you read tells you that evaluating a hand involves more than counting high card points. Assuming that we believe this, then we should allow the opening bidder to do more than count high card points. I open it 1D. If you want to open it 1NT, go ahead.

[jogs]

hrothgar, on 2016-April-07, 08:11, said:

or a 4153 hand
or maybe a 6322
or very rarely a 7222
Then there was the time it was a 6331 with a stiff king
Or there are the times that its a balanced 8 count

(Then there's the really weird stuff)

Simply put, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Oft shape NT is usually 2NT openers. Haven't seen opponents opening 1NT with a singleton very often.
But BIT then 1NT is almost always oft shape or out of range.