by Mel Colchamiro for www.melbridge.com
con DisfracesDealing with disguises
Over the years, there has been much discussion about which strategy to employ when intervening after your right-hand opponent opens a strong 1NT. Much less attention has been given, however, to coming into the bidding (or not) against the growing number of players who use a weak 1NT opening bid.
The first thing to know about a weak 1NT (such as 12-14, 11-14 or 10-12 high-card points) is that it is nothing more than a “standard” 1
or l
opening bid in disguise. In other words, this hand:
K54 
Q83 KJ95 A87, would routinely be openeded by strong-notrump players, but would be opened 1NT by most weak notrump bidders.
Whose hand is it?
Against a strong 1NT, the usual philosophy of the intervening side is to disrupt the opponents auction, rather than to bid to a game contract. The reason is that the strong 1NT bidder’s side will usually have the majority of the points. Accordingly, players enter the bidding, especially in direct position, based more on exciting distribution. The interveners intend to quickly dart in, then out of the auction causing the most disruption as possible with the least risk.
Versus a weak 1NT, however, the task is more daunting because it is much less clear which side has the majority of the points — the intervener’s side could easily have a game, much like when an opponent opens 1 or l . So, coming in over a weak 1NT requires solid values, as a base for potential further bidding by the advancer (the partner of the intervener). This is analogous to overcalling at the two level after a one-level opening suit bid. When coming in over a 1NT opening bid:
[box type=”note”]It’s okay to be weak vs. strong, but you must be strong vs. weak. [/box]
How strong is strong?
When you overcall a 1 or 1 opening bid at the one level, usually you have at least 10 HCP, though occasionally less, such as: J3 K10975 A3 8743. You might overcall 1 after a 1 opening bid.If the opening bid had been 1, however, you shouldn’t think of overcalling 2.
It’s the same after a weak 1NT, and that’s how “weakies” gain an advantage — a weak 1NT is a one-level preempt!
Suggested methods vs. a weak 1NT
Conventions, such as Meckwell or DONT, work well versus a strong 1NT. They use double to show one- or two-suited hands. Against a strong 1NT, you are trying to get in and get out, so you don’t need a value-showing double.
Against a weak 1NT, value-showing doubles are required, however, to prevent the weak notrumpers from stealing from you. Here’s a simple method to compete against a weak 1NT that is played by many experts:
Dbl = 14-plus HCP. Partner passes with 7 or more.
2 = hearts and spades.
- Partner jumps to 3 or 3 with normal limit-raise values,
- Partner’s 2 asks for intervener’s longer major,
- Partner’s 2NT 10-12.
2 = diamonds.
- Partner bids 2NT with 10-12,
- 2 or 2 show at least a five-card suit and is forcing.
2 = hearts.
- Partner bids 2NT with 10-12,
- Partner bids 3 as a cuebid with a fit.
2 = spades.
- Partner bids 2NT with 10-12,
- Partner bids 3 as a cuebid with a fit.
2NT = clubs and diamonds. It promises at least 5-5 with at least 10 HCP. 3, 3,3 or 3 show at least a six-card suit with a point range to be agreed upon.