Sunday, November 08, 2009

Hand Evaluation – Misfits ( NT )

PITBULLS:

            "All misfits should be played in NT" a wise Bridge player once exclaimed . It follows that a NT bid is an identifier for misfit auctions. There are degrees of misfits depending on when the NT bid is introduced. 1♣/1♦-P-1NT ,      1♦/1♣-P-1♥/♠   1NT   & finally when NT is introduced on the 3rd round by responder

1♦-P-1♥-P

 1♠-P-1NT

Ilya Kuzkin feels that balancing doubles in these misfit auctions should be T/O with all but the 3rd situation when 3 suits have been bid & the 4th implied. He ran a computer simulation on the 1♣-P-1NT auctions & discovered that in many cases these auctions were not misfits at all but concealed a minor fit. This left room open for the balancers to find a fit also. Traditional thinking was that doubles in misfit auctions were more penalty orientated. Usually player do not balance in misfit auctions but never say never.

            I do not mind playing a double as T/O in these misfit auctions as long as the double is further defined as a defensive orientated T/O . This is complemented by having an artificial 2♣ bid in these auctions to show an offensive orientated T/O . This treatment  is necessary because you can use your judgment on where your cards lie relative to the bid suits to convert for penalty. It is very difficult to convert a distributional 2♣ bid for penalty ☺ Solely shape T/O doubles not allowed in any form of a misfit auction. Bidding 2♣ means you are preventing partner from making a mistake & converting for penalty.

        1♣-P-1NT-P

        P-2♣                     is a distributional T/O most likely for the majors but not necessarily ( might be a weak 5-5 ) . Equal level conversion principles apply with the 2♣ T/O bid . A double is also T/O but has more HCP's and less distribution. The pure penalty double has been eliminated from our system. Same with

1♦-P-1NT-P 2♣  is an all purpose distributional T/O , double is T/O with HCP's allowing for partner’s conversion.

    Now for the 2nd level misfit auctions ( more suits bid )

. 1♦-P-1♥-P

  1NT-P-P-X                            double is still T/O but with HCP's , 2♣ is a distributional all purpose distributional T/O.  In the traditional way of thinking this double was penalty orientated asking for a heart lead . We no longer subscribe to that understanding in our partnership.

Forcing NT auctions are assumed to be misfit auctions until the opponents clarify. 1♠-P-1NT-X should not be a shape T/O double with a minimum. There is a case to use 2♣ in the sandwich position as a shapely T/O bid also . Allows you to pre-balance with shape & double when you have a big defensive hand. Playing 2♣ as a generic distributional T/O bid is very handy in all misfit auctions. Bid 3♣ when you have a single suited club hand.

    The last case where 3 suits have been bid , the double is penalty in the traditional sense meaning that in the doublers opinion the cards are sitting wrong for them based on the bidding. A true misfit auction , where cards are poorly placed for them.

        The above understandings as having the doubles as T/O in most misfit auctions works as long as you have a systemic 2♣ bid to distinguish between the offensive type balances & the defensive type balances. Partner should be allowed to convert for penalty in misfit auctions as modern bidders have no fear with their sub standard openers & responses regardless of vulnerability. They have known to go for some horrific sets which are a lucrative source of IMPs. No system should be designed to rescue poor bidders from themselves. Bridge is played in a clockwise direction & when your cards lie over theirs , disaster is on the horizon for them. Do not make shapely T/O doubles in any misfit auction . Shapely T/O doubles were designed for when the opponents have found a fit. Doubles in general , imply defense , Q bidding or a systemic toy implies offense. Partner has an innate right to convert doubles for penalty expecting you to hold defense. Do not disappoint her …