Friday, February 06, 2004 2:43 PM

Hand Evaluation - Balancing 1NT ( major )

PITBULLS:

An often misunderstood sequence is the balancing 1NT bid . The bid should be under a strong NT bid in the 12-14 HCP range . The bid is a “balance” so the only reason we are bidding in the first place is that partner probably has too many cards in the opponents suit to take initial action. The 1NT balance does not need a stopper in the opponents suit as partner is assumed to have one for not bidding initially.

Maurice introduced me to a very nice bid in these auctions after a major suit opener. He suggests using a transfer into the opponents suit as a check back for a stopper & to find the range of the NT. If no stopper , the 1NT balancer just accepts the transfer to the opponents suit .We can scramble into a fit after that by bidding the lowest ranking suit. With a stopper & a minimum , the balancer bids 2NT . With a stopper & a maximum m he bids 3NT . Therefore the transfer to openers suit is an invite to a game somewhere . An excellent understanding !!

You can further the transfer idea by defining other bids as transfers also to get the opener on lead . If the opponents open a major ,you have room to maneuver with the transfers into their suit. So all bids including 2♣ are transfers. 2NT by the trapped hand is invitational showing a stopper in their major. If they open a minor , this treatment does not apply. 2NT is invitational & 2♣ is a query ( not Stayman) to find out more about the 1NT balance.

In order for the NT balancing structure to work , it is handy to have the 2NT balance showing 18-19 HCP range with a stopper. In the balancing seat , 2NT is not unusual whether they have opened a major or a minor . Transfers apply here also but not of the “check back” variety. The strong NT range is shown in the balancing spot by doubling first , then an immediate NT bid.

1♠-p-p-DBL

p-2♥-p-2NT 15-17 HCP’s.

You hold ♠xx ♥Axx ♦J1098x ♣AQx in the balancing spot , the opponents open 1♠ so passed around to you . You balance 1NT , partner bids 2♥ . You accept the transfer as you do not have a spade stopper. Partner bids 3♦ so you take a shot & pound it to 5♦ . Opener has AKQJ10 of spades with the diamond king so you get +600 as they are in 3NT down one at the other table J.

♠xxxx ♥Kx ♦AQxx ♣KJ10