Tuesday, February 03, 2004 8:42 AM

Hand Evaluation - NT ( Ranges )

PITBULLS:

Going over the 12 convention cards of world class players & looking at NT ranges yielded a surprising conclusion : the 15 –17 NT range is alive & well.

The following pairs play the 15-17 HCP range Garozzo et al , Lauria & Versace , Robinson & Woolsey , Chmurski & Puczynski , Helgemo & Helness , Chagras & Assumpcao , Branco & Thoma . The rest we will show below. ( 5 pairs )

The rest of the pairs play either the 14-16 HCP range or the 12-14 HCP range & some of them throw in the 10-12 NT at very favourable vulnerability. I find it surprising that most of the pairs that play these ranges of NT ( above ) also play 15-17 NT at various positions and vulnerability. Lets go over the cards of the non 15-17 players :

Meckwell

14-16 HCP as a base in 1^st & 2^nd with 15-17 HCP in 3 rd & 4^th . In 1^st & 2^nd 10-12 HCP not vul vrs vul only - otherwise 14-16 HCP.

Hamman & Soloway

14-16 HCP in 1^st ,2^nd & 3^rd . 15-17 in 4^th & when vul in 3^rd.

Auken & Arnim

14-16 HCP in all seats with the exception of 10-12 HCP in 1^st & 2^nd Not vul .

Bocchi & Duboin

15-17 in 1^st , 2^nd if vul , 3^rd position always 15-17 HCP . 4^th position always 12-14 HCP , in 1^st and 2^nd not vul always 12-14 HCP.

Fantoni – Nunes

12-14 HCP in all positions .

Very few stay away from the strong NT especially in 3^rd or 4^th seat or when at unfavourable vulnerabilities. A couple of pairs actually trot out the 10-12 but only with favourable vul in 1^st & 2^nd. Variable NT’s come at a cost as you have to adjust your entire minor/major rebid structure to accommodate the bid. The 14-16 HCP range gets you to all those 24 HCP 3NT games.