Tuesday, January 11, 2005 2:40 AM

Defense Vrs NT

PITBULLS:

Everyone has their toy over strong or weak NT’s . The toy that Tom & I play is very simple. We have not bought into the “modern” notion of non penalty doubles. A double is penalty & shows at least their HCP range and a reasonable opening lead. The double also covers one suited hands too strong to bid directly. The 2♦ overcall shows the majors and 2♣ overcall shows the minors. This is the same in the balancing spot also.

If partner can not stand the penalty double, we have an automatic run out ( scramble ) to 2♣ unless we have a long suit of our own in which to escape. A pass should show a half dozen HCP’s or more so partner is not perpetually end played. A major suit overcall is single suited hand with HCP’s up to a double value. If we are maximum with our major overcall , we usually back in with a D.S.I.P. double to show our values and ask permission to bid again.

If we overcall at the 3 level in a minor , it’s a one suited hand in that minor and not strong enough to double initially. A jump to the 3 level in a major shows a very long suit needing a trick or two from partner to make game. It is not pre-emptive as an overcall at the two level does not promise the worlds fair and can be surprisingly pre-emptive.

How do we handle two suiters especially over weak NT’s ? Tom and I play Roman jumps over weak twos. A Roman jump is a two suiter shown by a leap to the 4 level in your minor indicating a long major also. A jump to the 4 level over a NT to show a single suited minor hand is redundant to our leap to the 3 level in a minor. So why not play it as a Roman jump ? Partner bids 4♥ to ask for the major and the deed is done.

How about any minor – major two suiter combination but you do not want to jump to the four level for safety reasons ? An overcall of 2NT shows any two suiter that is a major - minor combination. Our 2♣ & 2♦ covers two suiters in the minors & majors so disturb their NT with a 2NT bid with the mixed combination. You have KQ10xx xx KQJxx x and they open 1NT , you should overcall 2NT at favourable vulnerability. Partner bids 3♣ if he is interested in playing in your minor and 3♥ if he is interested in your major. It’s a pass or correct scenario made famous by the multi 2♦. If he wants to force to game he bids 3NT and the same pass or correct sequence is used by partner bidding his minor.

You hold AJ109x x AKQxxx x and a weak NT to your right. You bid 4♦ and partner bids 4♥ . You correct to 4♠ and you have described your hand and playing strength in one fell swoop. Strong two suiters are very difficult to describe over weak NTs ( rare against strong NT’s ) but could happen. A jump to the 4 level does the job quite well when you have the other two suiters covered by your 2♣ & 2♦ bid.

What is a double in the balancing position ? Playing it as a flat 10 HCP is a match point gamble. If you have a strong balanced hand , it is best to pass as partner has nothing anyway. Tom Gandolfo suggests using the double as a single suited minor balance. You do not have to jump to the 3 level and with the appropriate club/diamond holding partner may convert for penalty. What is a direct double if partner is a passed hand ? It can not be penalty so use that as a natural 2♣ or 2♦ overcall ! Again avoiding the 3 level to show your minor overcall makes good Bridge sense.

The auction one of a minor and 1NT by the opponents needs a toy to get in the auction either in the sandwich or balancing position. Tom Gandolfo suggest following the same logic as we play over a NT . Bid 2♦ regardless of the minor opened for the majors and bid 2♣ regardless of the minor opening for the minors. Direct doubles are penalty and not showing a single suited minor hand in these situations.

Every established partnership needs a toy vrs their NT opener or 1NT response to a minor. Discuss with partner.