Thursday, October 12, 2006 2:53 AM
Hand Evaluation - 2/1
( The Lone Ranger )
PITBULLS:
An important part of our 2/1 understandings is how we handle the NT ranges. It is
standard expert practice to have 2NT an either/or
bid of either a minimum or the 18-19 range .
The leap to 3NT is
more rare is it shows the strong NT range.
This means partner did not
open 1NT due to a good 5 card major or a 5-4-2-2 or a 5-4-3-1
with a stiff in partners suit. A 3NT bid with a
5-4-3-1 is quite often
necessary to right side the NT & simultaneously show the NT
HCP range.
Ok , since we have our 3NT understandings in 2/1 auctions ironed out , we
know need to solidify our KCB understandings. You do not pull 3NT to 4 of a
minor from a position of weakness. You are either interested in slam or it’s a slam asking tool.
Here’s where the Kantar notion of the Lone Ranger comes into play. A
lone ranger is somebody who just keeps bidding her own suit. Lone Rangers have KCB rights according to Kantar. When you leap to 3NT ,
responder pulls 3NT to her
minor it is KCB.
Why ? You have already announced you do not have a great fit with partners suit by leaping to 3NT. You have already announced
your HCP’s. You do not pull 3NT to a minor from a position of weakness so you
are given
KCB rights. 4NT is a quantitative slam try by responder.
What if responder pulls 3NT to
the other minor ?
This is obviously natural , a slam try but it is not
KCB. Why ? You do not know how well partner fits your 2nd
minor. She will Q bid to say she likes it or
bid 4NT as the “death response” saying she does not like either of responders’
suits.
A Tormentee
held ♠Kx ♥A ♦AJ10xx
♣KJxxx , I opened 1♥ on ♠AQJ
♥KJxxx ♦x
♣AQxx , partner bid 2♦. If there ever was a hand to right
side the NT ,
this one is it with the black suit tenaces so you
leap to 3NT. The Tormentee bids a natural slam try by introducing clubs at
the 4 level. Partner bids 4♠ saying she likes
clubs. 4NT now must be KCB for clubs as it is ludicrous to bail out
to 4NT when partner likes your
slam try. You bid 4NT , I respond 5♠ showing 2 with the queen. Partner now bids 6♦ . What is this ? This cannot be a choice of contracts. Clubs were agreed a
long ago. Partner must be able to play the hand in 6NT so she is making
an asking bid in the diamond suit. You have a stiff diamond so you bid 7♣.
This contract has 13 tricks.
Leaping to 3NT is systemic. Pulling
3NT to a major is just improving the contract but pulling to a minor has slam
try written all over it . With minors
, do not try to improve the 3NT contract. It is already the best
contract. Pass & hope they will make the wrong opening lead ☺