Handling interference over our 1NT
Posted: 23 Aug 2024, 17:08
"Stolen bid" doubles seem to be a popular convention at the local club when opponents interfere over a 1NT opening. So for example if the overcall is 2♦ or 2♥, double is a Jacoby Transfer to the next higher suit and your other conventions, whatever they may be, remain unchanged.
The problem is this is not really playable because Stayman, the most popular convention of all time, is no longer represented.
Here's an actual example from a recent club game.
Some would not choose this 1NT opening but that's beside the point. You'd like to find the spade fit but there's no suitable call in this system.
However it can be made playable with a small modification: allow transfers to 4-card majors with invitational or better values.
With this scheme the followup bidding requires some more care but is reasonably natural and intuitive. Transfers would still always be accepted even with 2 cards, and responder may still pass with a 5-card bust. A super-accept to 3 of the major with 4 cards and a maximum is still available. Responder's subsequent bids are still natural and opener may then show 3-card support.
Bidding will not be as clear-cut in some cases. For the above deal it might continue with double by responder, 2♠ by opener, 2NT, 3♠, pass. Or with a stronger hand opener might cue-bid 3♥ to accept the game invitation with a heart stopper but only 3 spades, or 3 of a minor to show a maximum with a suit and no heart stopper.
Here are some example continuations.
The problem is this is not really playable because Stayman, the most popular convention of all time, is no longer represented.
Here's an actual example from a recent club game.
Some would not choose this 1NT opening but that's beside the point. You'd like to find the spade fit but there's no suitable call in this system.
However it can be made playable with a small modification: allow transfers to 4-card majors with invitational or better values.
With this scheme the followup bidding requires some more care but is reasonably natural and intuitive. Transfers would still always be accepted even with 2 cards, and responder may still pass with a 5-card bust. A super-accept to 3 of the major with 4 cards and a maximum is still available. Responder's subsequent bids are still natural and opener may then show 3-card support.
Bidding will not be as clear-cut in some cases. For the above deal it might continue with double by responder, 2♠ by opener, 2NT, 3♠, pass. Or with a stronger hand opener might cue-bid 3♥ to accept the game invitation with a heart stopper but only 3 spades, or 3 of a minor to show a maximum with a suit and no heart stopper.
Here are some example continuations.
1NT (2♦) Dbl 2♥ Pass Weak with 5+ hearts 2♠ 4 spades, 4 or 5 hearts, forcing 2NT Nonforcing, diamond stopper, 4 or 5 hearts 3♣ Natural, game force 3♦ Denies a diamond stopper 3♥ 6 hearts, nonforcing 3NT To play, 4 hearts, stopper 1NT (2♦) 2♥ 2♠ Pass Weak with 5+ spades 2NT Nonforcing, diamond stopper, 4 or 5 spades 3♣ Natural, game force 3♦ Denies a diamond stopper 3♥ 4 hearts, forcing 3♠ 6 spades, nonforcing 3NT To play, 4 spades, stopper