1. Declare 1NT whenever possible when not vulnerable

• Frequency A range centred on 10 points is most frequent and I like to play 9-12 when this is legal. Essentially every point added to the range knocks about 15% off the frequency. 12-14 is only 66% as common and 15-17 half so. Up to you.
  A nice side effect of a mini 10-12) range in that partner's pass is limited to 9 points (unless unbalanced). So it's safe to open 1NT on 10-15 in 3^rd hand doubling the frequency. Playing 9+ NT an incredible 9-16 3^rd hand range will not miss games!
• Escapes are a matter of taste and practice. I use my own Halmic variant which I term "dig-out" as it uses spades to bully my poor opponents. You can make your own choice here
  • Pass = forcing "partner will redouble"
    The redouble may (rarely) be passed. More commonly we'll scramble a fit of sorts, opener
    knowing that his partner does not have 4 spades Note that Halmic users cannot play in 1NT doubled (only redoubled)
  • Redouble = "puppet into 2 - I will pass or convert to another 5+ suit"
    There's a nice opportunity for some Paradox mischief here! A 1NT holding 4 clubs should call 2!
    If partner's suit is clubs the 3 level will be perfectly safe. 1NT with 4-4 minors should call 2 using the same logic.
  • Immediate Suit = natural "with 4 spades as well". Bully your opponents when you have spade fit!
    opener can call an assertive 2 with 4 spades and 3 holding five. When in trouble try 2 only three!
  • 2NT as "5-5 in the minors" - go for it!
  • Three of a suit also as "preemptive" with a 6-7 card suit
    
  See below for bidding up advice.

2. Make your own 1NT contract when vulnerable

3. When opponents are vulnerable - why not simply defend?

Your vulnerable right hand opp opens 1NT ...

Qx KQJ9x Axx Jxx

Jx K10xxxx Ax KQx

KQ10xx x Axx KJxx

All the hands above count the same 13 points but with a good lead and an entry I'd prefer to pass on the first example and take my chance defending. The two hands to the right are in my view better overcalled. The second hand's thin heart suit are better in offence than defence, and the spade hand has a nice side suit. If we adjust one last parameter and make opponents non-vulnerable would personally overcall the first hand at 'green' and might be tempted at unfavourable vulnerability.

4. When opponents open or rebid 1NT nv - take risks!

• 2 or 2 as simply "natural"
• 2 as "both majors" - 4+4 is a safe venture, the odds of 8-card fit are then about 2:1
  It is important to have some sort of "both majors" bid - particularly at teams!
• 2 as "playable in 3 suits including clubs"
  I have to say that Cansino 2 at the table has been simply fantastic! The governing EBU (level 2) regulation is

  12.13.1 (b) (iii) three suits, at least 4-4-3-2, of which at least one is specified.

  Suggesting 4432 with three clubs is legal. My experience is that 4 clubs works better. Note that from April 2005 "any defence" will be permitted in most competition.

I like a simple and universal 2NT "bid again" opposite all these. The main consideration for partner's advance is opponent's vulnerability. When they are at "green" you may be really quite light. He mustn't punish your courage by raising.

The more both sides are vulnerable, the more likely that you are constructive. You will miss occasional games with this approach, but gain far more often jsut by winkling them out of their comfortable nv 1NT contract.

The Majors

But if you have major fit - you will win the part score battle and might even reach game.

For this reason most players like a way to show both majors over 1NT. I'd go further and personally always insist on some such convention when playing say pivot teams. If you are timid you may make this a 5-4 shape but I have to say I have generally not come unstuck overcalling to show 4-4 or bettter. When discussing with partner bear the following in mind.

• At teams you don't want to miss your major games
  This is particularly true when defending weak or mini 1NT
• Your chance of safe 8 card fit overcalling to show 5-4 are about 78%
• Your chance of safe 8 card fit overcalling to show 4-4 are about 66%
  I personally think this is a pretty good bet even at IMPs

The most common bids used to show both majors are 2 and 2. In the RIPSTRA method both are used, calling "the better minor". I like to play my "both major" overcall as "semi-constructive" at pairs. The other three bids are much more focussed on "getting them out of 1NT" - tending to more constructive as vulnerability (of both sides) increases. However - if you need to bid - you need to bid. Be brave.

4^th hand considerations

This first issue to consider is - where are all the points? With enough points to reach 25 opposite partner's maximum most 3^rd hands will have made a game try. Assumning a 2 point range for 1NT this means they don't have as much as 23. So assume maximum 22. Add your points and subtract from 40. This is partner's minimum count, unless opps are very devious!

In essence your points don't much matter - partner will have the cards you don't. You just have to follow the principle above - both side's vulnerability matters. The more "nv" that is visible on the board - the more you should take risks. As in all protective decisions you should also count your spades and be careful with shortage. You might merely push opponents into a nice 8 card fit.

What partner didn't bid ..

Curiously your chosen 2^nd hand defence to 1NT will affect your optimum tactics here too.This is due to suit length/frequency considerations.

For example playing Cansino (see above) my partner may already have acted on major or club rich hands, and simulations show typical 4^th hands are short in diamonds, mainly because the Cansino 'fix' hand has length in that suit. I therefore keep 2 as both majors ether then "natural"

So consider carefully how own your 1NT defence will affect the 4^th hand Common sense suggests you will be short in suits that partner cannot express. My simulations say short by about ¾ card on average.

I've been using 4^th hand double to show the Cansino type - ie takeout! I lose the penalty double, but franky this is more useful when I have the lead. I keep this double to "within 2 points of an opening" getting occasional nice +500's when partner has say 13 points. The spade centred Lionel defence allows the same approach and I'm using it now that EBU restractions are relaxed.

5^th (passed) hand considerations

2005 changes to doubling in second hand

What should you double on?

1. Penalties: I hope I've demonstrated that you won't get rich doubling strong no trumps for simple penalty. The opportunity is uncommon as it's designed to make a safe 8 tricks, Even if you have a long suit to run they should exit anyway and find their own fit.

   While it is important to keep a penalty option open against the mini, you won't get to defend 1NTx. Such pairs always have well rehearsed run-outs.

   

   However "penalty" is a pretty good defence against a 1NT nestling somewhere in that "so English" 11-15 range. General opinion is that having at least one more point than their maximum to make will a good bet. At IMPs or rubber you should bear in mind that your double is somewhat like passing the Cube at Backgammon. It's now their choice to redouble for blood -and that's worth something in the calculation.

   Your lead should also influence your decision. With a good semi-solid suit to lead and a sure entry - you can double on less. A solid suit to the ace is particularly nice, and on the 25 December will attract a suicidal re-double. But more often they'll run.

   With a mere balanced 15 you might pick the wrong suit and live to regret your temerity. I never double before I have selected my lead. For the same reason I favour a 'takeout' double in 4th seat as partner never seems to fine my suit. But then I keep this up to a minimum strength in case partner chooses to convert for blood!

2. Non-penalty doubles This may be a novel concept if you are British!

   You will have gathered by now that you are usually headed into a fairly standard dog-eat-dog pairs part-score scrap. So make your double lighter, but more informative with respect to your hand type. Partner is allowed to convert with points and poor fit, so nottoo light!

   I'm attracted by the concept behind Lionel Wright's defence, which is well tried and popular in the Antipodes. It works against any range of no trump, and in any position: "Lionel" defence ..

   
   • You want to penalise whenever you can (generally when holding 21+ points)
   • Perming those 21 presumed points: 11:10 divisions are more common than 15:6 by a factor of about six!
   • You are triggering a part score scrap, where spades will be boss suit
   • Therefore a light double strategy should logically assert spades
   • Partner 'supports' spades with fit, passes with points and no fit, otherwise scrambles (and hopes)
   • In that scramble: opponents are deterred from calling spades (now that's wicked!)

   Converted into standard bridge system terms this suggests

   • Double = 11+ points with some shape and including 4-5 spades (I prefer with six)
   • 2 and = natural
   • 2 = takeout, denying 4 spades. 3+ or 4+ clubs at your choice
   • 2 = either both reds; or both majors if preferred

   A common Lionel extention is to play 3 level responses in a new suit as splinters, supporting spades. And that's it. Any type NT and any position. A passed hand's Lionel double can safely be reduced to 8-9 points if limited by your failure to mini-NT.

Defending non-penalty doubles: Mark my words: these are coming, and will be more difficult to deal with than traditional business doubles. As a "Brit" I've had little experience, but have knocked about ideas on r.g.b to try and tap into that of the Americans. We need to compete that part score, explore games, and swing the axe when appropriate. The following ideas are mainly those of myself and Andrew Gumperz. Experimentally I'd plan 3rd hand's redouble as a "competitive values" takeout of the anchor suit, with simple bids bids natural non-forcing. Lebensohl will be "on" showing invitational+ values. Direct three bids remain natural and non-forcing with a long suit. Cue bid of "their" suit Staymanic. 3rd hand's pass will be either weak, or wanting to penalise, with opener making takeout doubles as usual. Should 4th hand pass (converting to penalty) opener will make our usual wriggle with "full system on". Another approach, favoured by Bob park over an unanchored (eg DONT) double is 3rd hand's xx=takeout their suit with suggestion that its our hand; otherwise full system on. Watch this space.

Auctions when they run from 1NTx

• Over majors there is not much space to mess about. I play the standard methods I'd have used had they overcalled our 1NT. This includes lebensohl and a reopening double. 4t hand double is takeout. You could play this as business, but the juicy penalties come with long trumps and that means partner is short.
• Over minors they may be psychic, and we want to compete the two level in all cases. I like the method in Sally Hansen's "Double trouble" book.
  • Double says "our hand" (7+ in standard methods) and 2-3 in the suit
  • With 4+ trumps and points you make a forcing pass and await partner's double
  • ther is a mandatory bid of a suit with weakness (occasionally embarassing). Note that with both majors it is safe to pass and then pull into 2
  • Exactly the same applies over their forcing pass or forcing redouble
  • "Exit transfers" are becoming popular. You now have a simple cue bid available in their suit. Double should surely stay as 2-3 trumps and points. Should we keep a mandatory bid if the transfer is into a minor? I don't know. Discuss with partner!
• All 2 level doubles for takeout unless we have found fit or can count trumps
• Preempt with long weak suits
• Keep an eye on vulnerability as our 3NT might be best

Auctions when your 1NT is doubled

1NT (x) 2* (x) *=diamonds and spades
3! .. openers 1NT had concealed 5 spades!

Note we don't count points at all. I particularly savoured a deal in the UK National Masters where we opened a 10-12 mini (doubled), discovered a 5-5 heart fit, and reached 4 (undoubled!) rapidly, with 4 cold the other way!

Then the auction 1NT (x) 2C* (x) playing Gold Cup against the legendary John Colling's team. My 9+ 1NT included six clubs. So I bounced into 5C, which made doubled (could go off)! Of course they still beat us - that's why John was a legend, and I'm not.

Takeout doubles by your side

1NT (2) double
1NT (3) double
1NT (2) pass pass
double
1NT pass pass (2)
double

All these doubles are takeout. While you lose the immediate penalty double and opener is expected to reopen double with any doubledon holding other than perhaps a minimum that he is ashamed of. You should put such an understanding on your card to protect against "3^rd hand hestitated before passing" complaints). The penalty type responder then converts. Once I passed the overcall out with three cards. Partner had been "lurking" with five! We'd missed out on a 4-figure penalty, but got a fine board anyway for their 5-0 fit.

I like to similarly harrass and bully opponents after my Cansino 2 takeouts of their 1NT. We apply our general rule "all doubles are takeout up to 3 level unless we have found fit".

Popular N American actions over strong no trump

	double	2	2	2	2	2NT
Cappelletti	penalty	puppets 2	majors	hearts+other	spades+other	minors
D.O.N.T	puppets 2	clubs+other	diamonds+major	both majors	spades(weakish)	undefined

After the puppet bid overcaller either passes or names his suit. Responder can pass Cappelletti 2 holding weak long clubs and there are. These gadgets are now legal under EBU regulation - level 3 "any defence" is OK.

Defending a mini no trump

Miscellaneous auctions.

1NT pass 2* 2 *=Stayman
... the meanings of pass, double, Stayman bidder's double

1NT pass 2* (double) *=transfer
... the meanings of pass, 2, three level bids

(1NT) double 2
... the meanings of pass, double, two level bid, 2NT, three level bids

For what it's worth - I like to always complete transfers with three, and break to the 3 level with 4 trumps. So pass shows two. I play takeout doubles when Stayman is overcalled. Having doubled 1NT I use lebensohl 2NT over majors (double is penalty). However over minors (often psyched), redoubles and forcing pass I expect 4^th hand to bid with a poor hand, double with 2-3 cards in a suit and 7+, or pass (forcing 7+). But it's up to you ...

Your partner doubles

Vulnerability and scoring method matter now, and with 9+ you must always consider 3NT etc vul/nv at pairs. At IMPs +500 v our game won't upset team mates too much. Do bear in mind that a trick occasionally goes astray when defending -- whereas knowledge of that opening bid is often worth a trick to declarer. So it isn't always a matter of partitioning thirteen

Bad hands? Personally I just sit it without much shape. Running invites a double back, and sometimes partner has a nice suit to lead out .. ... ....

Bad hands and shape? For the reasons above I tend to sit the double with 5332 and only pull with 6. But it's a guess. Definitely worth checking routinely what RHO's bale-out options were to get a feel of what distributions are not possible. Surprising how much you can infer in these brief auctions.

7-baggers sometimes get a 3x bid from me. Partners usually manage to read that as length but few points, and wanting to play only in that strain.

Does this work out at the table?

What do we make of these figures? Be careful. You must bear in mind that this was deepest ACBL-land, with about 90% of pairs playing (and used to) a strong no trump. Openings outside a 12-18 points range were rare, and some 90% were in the 15-17 range. Were the rare 8's 9's and 20's psychs, or misclicks? Here the IMP results

There is no allowance for vulnerability, nor information as to quality of player. And it's entirely possible that pairs employing the few mini no trumps were more skilled, or that their good results reflect muddled defence. Nevertheless it seems evident that opening 1NT is generally a good thing.