Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:39 AM
 
New Suit 2NT - Soft Values

 

PITBULLS:

 

          As every Bridge player knows , not all HCP’s are created equal. Controls ( quick tricks ) are more suitable for suit contracts . Soft values (queens & jacks ) & combinations thereof are more suitable for NT. In fact , this is another way of classifying hand types in Bridge. This HCP classification is still another advantage of playing new suit 2NT as an alternative to 4th suit forcing. The new suit 2NT can show the softer value hands with a fit for partners minor & the 4th suit can show a more control orientated hand with a fit for partners minor.

 

          Here is a hand that shows this advantage of playing 2NT as a ”new suit” and forcing one round.   ♠Jx ♥10x ♦AKxxx ♣AJ9x    opposite ♠A10xx ♥Axx ♦xx ♣KQ10x . Partner opens 1♦ and you respond a spade. Partner rebids 2♣ so now what ? This is the wrong hand to bid 2NT as a “new suit”. You are all controls and if partner has Qxx of hearts it is better that she bid the NT. I would bid 2♥ as a 4th suit. Partner can not bid NT so you end up in 5♣ for +600 when 3NT has only 8 tricks !!

 

          Same opening hand & auction but this time give you ♠A10xx ♥KJ10 ♦xx ♣KQ10x so this time you bid 2NT. With the first hand , partner bids 3NT so this time 3NT makes & 5♣ fails. Note the advantage of controls vrs soft HCP’s as the determining factor in these auctions. Now for the ultimate advantage of new suit 2NT , minor suit slams. Give the opener ♠x ♥Axx ♦AKxxx ♣AJ9x and over 2NT she “patterns out” by bidding 3♥. Responder now knows there is zero duplication of value in spades and that she has extra. 7♣ has chances and 6♣ is virtually untouchable.

 

          I was reviewing some Bridge Worlds from the 1960’s . In those days,  2NT by responder was a game force. In the 1970’s , with the introduction of the dreaded 4th suit forcing ,  2NT by responder became invitational. In the modern era , 2NT as a new suit by responder is forcing one round . A compromise between those two old treatments. Playing 2NT as a one round force is obviously the best treatment for IMPS. Stopping in 2NT in IMPS is a bigger gamble than carrying on to 3NT.