Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:39 PM

Hand Evaluation – Fast Arrival ( NT Auctions )

PITBULLS:

The principle of fast arrival is dead when partner may have an unlimited hand in a forcing to game auction with a major fit . Serious 3NT replaces “fast arrival” when we have a major fit. What about if we do not have a fit opposite an unlimited hand ? I like “fast arrival” to be dead in those auctions also. Why pre-empt partner in any forcing to game auction ? A leap to game in NT should be a “picture bid” just like a jump to game after finding a fit in a major within a 2/1 auction. I liked the generalization in any forcing to game auction that 2NT is the either/or bid. Either the dog 12-14 or the 18-19 flat. This range allows the correct game or slam to be investigated at the lowest possible level. This either/or treatment applies with inverted minor auctions & the 1♦-P-2♣ auctions also. Giving the 2NT rebid an unlimited range ( 12-20 ) , I have found does not work well. Taking one HCP range out of the equation ( 15-17 HCP ) by defining the leap to 3NT to be that range , simplifies 2/1 auctions.

Playing “fast arrival” in the old days , the 3NT jump in a 2/1 auction meant to show the bad fitting dog. I do not like that understanding as fast arrival opposite any unlimited hand makes no sense to me. By keeping the bidding low , you give a chance for the partnership to find an alternative game or the correct game/slam. I think a 3NT jump in any forcing to game auction should be a “picture bid” of a 1NT opener range (15-17) even with a 5-4-3-1 distribution . This allows the unlimited hand to place the contract quantitatively. 1♠-P-2♣-P 3NT this shows 15-17 so the reason I did not open 1NT is that my spades are too good or I have soft values with a stiff club. ♠KQxxx ♥KJx ♦KQxx ♣Q would be a leap to 3NT to right side the NT & describe your HCP range ( 16 ) in one fell swoop.

The either/or 2NT in forcing auctions is sorted out by bidding quantitatively.

1♠-P-2♣-P

2NT-P-3NT-P

4NT I have the upper range

1♠-P-2♦-P

2♥-P-2NT-P

3NT-P-4NT I have the upper range

1♠-P-2♦-P

2♥-P-3NT ( 15-17)

6NT we have a combined 33 HCP’s

When responder who initially bid the 2/1, leaps to 3NT opposite an unlimited opening hand it is also a “picture bid” showing the strong NT opener. Tonight 12 IMPS were lost due to a bad “fast arrival” auction. You hold ♠AKxx ♥Ax ♦10xxx ♣Q9x , partner opens 1♥. You choose to bid 2♦ so partner bids 2♥. Partners 2♥ bid after a 2/1 is unlimited . She could have 19 HCP so might be just biding her time. You bid 2NT to keep the bidding low & describe your range so partner patterns out by bidding 3♣. Knowing that you have a 6-4 minimum over there , you bid 3♥ with your control oriented hand . You do not have soft values suitable for NT anyway. Partner bids 4♥ so you make your baby +650. At one table , a leap to 3NT was made with this flat 13 HCP opposite an unlimited hand. Playing fast arrival, the opener assumes a dog without a heart fit so passed with ♠xxx ♥KJ987x ♦void ♣AKxx . Disaster as this went down with everybody in 4♥. I think Meckwell is very right. The principle of “fast arrival” should be extinct in these auctions. Make your leaps to any game mean something. A strong NT range for a leap to 3NT is just a suggestion that I have discovered works quite well. The jump is rare based on probabilities , you most likely have described your 15-17 by opening 1NT already but in case you chose not to do so , you have a chance to make up for it.