[paulg]

♠AQxx
♥Axxx
♦KQx
♣Kx

The bidding goes (1♥) Pass (Pass) to you (IMPs, Love All)

What general advice do you give to your mentee about this bidding situation?

And, if this is not in the range for a notrump bid so you are forced to double, what is your plan for continuing over a 2♣ response from partner. (You can alter the hand appropriately so it is between a 1N and 2N bid for you).

Paul

[TylerE]

X->NT

So 2NT over 2♣. Will not be embarassed if partner raises this.

[RichMor]

A balancing 2NT bid shows this hand type and general strength - 18-19 HCP.

[ArtK78]

No, a balancing 2NT shows more than this. It is my experience that 2NT in balancing seat shows about 20-22.

I would double and bid notrump at the appropriate level. It is actually a slight underbid.

[RichMor]

Art,

From the BWS site:
<<
In reopening-position, a one-notrump overcall shows 10-14 (by a passed hand, 10 to a maximum non-opening), a two-notrump overcall 18-19, regardless of the suit opened.
>>

[paulg]

The BWS solves this problem well by ensuring that only a single range for 1NT would double and then rebid notrumps.

In my UK experience, the fourth suit 2NT is slightly stronger leaving a 15-18 (19) range that is fine over a 1-level response to the double but awkward over a 2-level response.

This is a nice 18 count so I would not worry about reopening with 2NT, but there are many others I'm sure I'd worry about. Personally I play a reopening 1NT as 12-16 although, of course, this has its own issues.

Paul

[jdonn]

I would double and bid notrump, I have always played 2NT is better than this. If BWS says it's the other way around then what the hell do I know. Obviously you simply need an agreement. Of course if you double you might just luck out and have partner bid spades anyway, so it seems like the thing to do if you aren't sure what you play.

I now see they play a different 1NT range than I do, so naturally they would have a different 2NT range. I think it borders on the unplayable to have to double and bid notrump with 15 over a major (well not really since it doesn't come up much) and that their system is clearly inferior.

[ArtK78]

RichMor, on Nov 4 2008, 10:59 AM, said:

Art,

From the BWS site:
<<
In reopening-position, a one-notrump overcall shows 10-14 (by a passed hand, 10 to a maximum non-opening), a two-notrump overcall 18-19, regardless of the suit opened.
>>

That may be, but I don't play it that way and I don't know anyone who does.

As jdonn said, "what the hell do I know?"

[FrancesHinden]

jdonn, on Nov 4 2008, 05:31 PM, said:

I would double and bid notrump, I have always played 2NT is better than this. If BWS says it's the other way around then what the hell do I know. Obviously you simply need an agreement. Of course if you double you might just luck out and have partner bid spades anyway, so it seems like the thing to do if you aren't sure what you play.

I now see they play a different 1NT range than I do, so naturally they would have a different 2NT range. I think it borders on the unplayable to have to double and bid notrump with 15 over a major (well not really since it doesn't come up much) and that their system is clearly inferior.

Yeah, me too. I've always played an immediate 1NT as about 11-15 (ish), an immediate 2NT as 19-21, and double-then-bid NT as 16-18.

So on this hand I double then bid 2NT. Yes, it's not fun having to bid 2NT over 2C from partner, but to look on the bright side
- RHO couldn't respond
- LHO couldn't act over my double. Yes, LHO looking at a balanced 18-count could pass smoothly when I reopen and wait to see if I'm going to bid NT next, but generally they don't.

[han]

Agree with Donn, just show a balanced 18 in whatever way you have agreed to do this.

[jdonn]

I play 1NT 11-14 over a minor, 12-16 over a major. I have not yet lost a swing due to my inability to declare the hand on a balanced 10 count, but when I do I promise to post it.

[whereagles]

seems like a textbook balancing 2NT, regardless of how strong you play it

[kenrexford]

jdonn, on Nov 4 2008, 02:04 PM, said:

I play 1NT 11-14 over a minor, 12-16 over a major. I have not yet lost a swing due to my inability to declare the hand on a balanced 10 count, but when I do I promise to post it.

I'm likeing this floating 1NT range the more I hear about it. However, I have heard that the maximum for a balancing 1NT floats at about 17 for 1♠ openings, 16 for 1♥, 15 for 1♦, and 14 for 1♣, perhaps -1 on each for "aggressive" style.

Either way, this hand is just right for X...NT.

[hatchett]

I also like to play a balancing 1NT as slightly stronger after a one major opening. This hand is a clear double and 2NT rebid.

[Edmunte1]

I think it depends of your agreements. My agreements are 1NT=11-16-, x+NT=17-19, jump NT=20-22. I think that playing a method in which the bid that takes more bidding space shows a stronger hand it's easier to remember.