Wednesday, October 05, 2005 4:31 AM

Re-Opening 2NT

 

PITBULLS:

 

          In modern bidding , 2NT as natural in competitive auctions has gone the way of the dinosaur. The 2NT bid has better uses as the good bad 2NT, a two suiter or scrambling. Is 2NT every natural in a competitive auction ? Yes , I believe the 2NT bid should retain its original natural meaning in the re-opening position by both sides. The bid should be based on “playability” rather than HCP strength as we also have a double as an option.

 

          1♠-2♣-P-P  

          2NT   should be natural based on playability.

 

          1♦-2♠-P-P    

          2NT   natural

 

          What if partner has not bid but the opponents have bid and supported each other ? With light overcalls and light raises , you can be talked out of many 3NT games if you forego the 2NT natural bid.   1♦-1♠-P-2♠ 

                     2NT is again natural based on playability. It can not be the “good bad” 2NT as you do not want to announce to a passing partner that you are weak . A double does not show the long suit and a stopper in their suit. A pass does the job nicely if you are weak. If partner as well as both opponents have bid and we are at the two level , the 2NT bid is the good bad 2NT.

 

          It is only the element of competition that changes the meaning of a 2NT bid. There must be bidding in the sandwich position at the two level before the meaning of 2NT changes.  If you are left alone , of course 2NT bids are natural. In the balancing spot , 1♦-P-P-2NT is 18-19 HCP and not unusual.

 

          You can have special understandings with partner after a T/O double that 2NT is the good bad 2NT if they bid in the sandwich position. 1♠-x-2♠-2NT    is the good bad 2NT . A double shows a 2NT bid and is responsive. Playing D.S.I.P. doubles , you use a double as an old fashioned 2NT bid in many cases. 1NT-P-P-2♠  P-P-X-P  since the doubler is in front of the 2♠ bidder , the double is equivalent to an old fashioned 2NT bid. A 2NT bid in that position would be takeout to the minors.

 

          Where a double would be penalty , a 2NT bid retains its original natural meaning.

 

1♠-P-P-X 

 2♠-X   is penalty showing a spade trap behind the bidder. A 2NT bid in this situation must be natural as there is no D.S.I.P. double to substitute for a natural 2NT bid. We still must be able to get to our 3NT game in balancing auctions. 2NT natural is not completely dead in competitive auctions. This auction 1♦-1♠-X-2♠ 

                                    2NT is the good bad 2NT as a double is not penalty in these auctions. If we held a natural 2NT bid  in this auction , we can double to announce our strength. It is more important in the scheme of things to have a bid at the 3 level as invitational when they interfere at the two level in the sandwich position.

 

          How about re-opening 2NT bids after a weak two gets passed around to you ? A balancing 1NT does not promise a stopper in openers suit. The only reason the auction got around to you is that partner has trapped in your suit so it is safe to play partner for the stopper(s). Balancing 2NT also involves bidding the table. You are bidding what the opponents did not do as well as your own hand. RHO did not raise to 3 of partners suit to be a nuisance. Why , because many times he too short in partners suit to do so. So there is a reasonable chance of a stopper being in your partners hand. Most of the time , a 2NT balance will show  a strong NT range hand with a stopper in their suit but there are fix hands. ♠ xx ♥Jxx ♦AKJx ♣AKJx and the auction goes 2♥-P-P-?  I would balance 2NT by playing partner for a heart stopper. Even if she does not , they may lead an off suit J

 

          Try this hand vul vrs nv opponent who opened 3♥ around to you in the balancing . ♠AQ ♥xx ♦Axx ♣AQ1098x  again I would balance 3NT. Instead of balancing over the distribution of the unknown HCP’s , with this hand I will balance playing partner for the heart stopper. Again RHO took no pre-emptive action so I am giving partner some heart cards. You pre-empt yourself out of 3NT by bidding 4♣ and a double could get you into trouble. 3NT seems like the best lie.

 

          Weak 2’s & 3’s especially by “modern bidders” are designed specifically to keep you out of your 3NT game. Never  & I mean never play 2NT as unusual against these bids. 2NT is a flat natural bid designed to get to 3NT. A 3rd seat 2♠ and around to you in the balancing with ♠QJx ♥J10x ♦AKxxx ♣xx . I would bid 2NT as I am bidding the table. Partner should have something and 2NT is the most descriptive bid towards game. Playing 2NT as unusual is playing into the pre-empters hands.

 

          This idea also applies when they bid a weak jump shift or a weak jump overcall. Again pre-emption is designed to keep you out of the bidding. When you bid 2NT it is natural trying to get to your game. Yes , you are taking a risk but by not bidding you are taking a risk. Knowing when 2NT is natural & when it is not , is still another job for determining the “context of the auction” . Nobody says Bridge is easy.