- All other 1-level openings are inappropriate
- No singleton or void is ever allowed.
- Minor
suit
distribution MUST be either: {2-3}4-4, {3-3}{4-3}, {4-2}{4-3},
2-2-4-5, {2-3}-3-5, even 2-2-3-6 that's always 7 or 8 or 9 minor cards!
Minimum minor
suit of 3 cards must be Hxx where H=A|K|Q. Note: 3-3 in the minors is
not accepted - either minor can be 4 card and the other 3 card.
- Possible major suit distributions are: 3-3, 4-2,
3-2 & 2-2. - Therefore: BETA never opens 1N with a 5
card Major (open the Major) or with Majors 4-4 (open with 1♥).
- 4243 with a valid 4-3. or 4-4 in the minors & 3-2 in Majors are opened 1N and never 1♣
- If 4333 with 3-3 in minors usually open 1♣ - however with robust Major honour controls in both minors and 12-14 consider opening 1NT
- The [max/min] for ♠♥♦♣ are: [4/2],[4/2],[4/Hxx],[Hxx/6]. So: Majors minimum is 2-2 and minors {4-Hxx}
- Ideally some HCP should be found in at least 1 Major.
- With a flat 3334 hand & just 12 HCP: seriously consider PASSing especially when Vulnerable!
Whenever the 1NT specification is fully met then 1NT should always be bid & a 1
♣ opening discarded.
Comparing 1N & 1♣ openings:
While the rules given above specifically determine whether to open 1N or 1C sometimes one may stop to think as follows:
(i) One important difference is that 1N may be passed while 1
♣ invites a Major research...the probability that a 1N opening contains a 4 card Major is about 20% ONLY.
(ii)Another
important difference is that 1N cuts out the 1-level from the opponents
and thereby presents significantly more difficulty for opponents to
intervene, whereas 1
♣
is so much easier to overcall - also see BETA's important defence to an
opponents 1C opening - This fact alone
probably also explains ACOL's excessive love affair with the weak NT! opening. However BETA's 1
♣ openings
are sound openings, 12-18 HCP and the responses can handle simple interventions very well
indeed.
(iii)The primary reason for
BETA to take the stance as detailed above: is
safety - it allows the 1NT's partner a
relatively safe exit when a 1N opening gets doubled:- in a minor - see this is particularly
important if vulnerable as a -200 is almost certainly a good win for the
opponents.
BETA's defence when 1N is doubled:
1N-*-P! is a transfer to 2
♣ & 1N-*-2
♣ is a transfer to 2
♦. This should be EASY to remember as every response after a * by RHO
is a transfer! 1N-*-2
♦ is a transfer to Hearts & 2
♥ a transfer to Spades. Also 2N....3
♥ are also all distributional transfers to 3
♣...3
♠!
promising 6+ cards which are RUSINOV transfers which can be weak
or strong - in a strong case bidding may continue. This leaves 2
♠ as a strongish response - partner to show his preferred minor.
(iv) If tempted to open 1
♣ with a {43}33 and a fit
is found - one probably achieves a better result than in
1NT...but if the sequence then ends in 2N there would be a fair chance of
being -1 where 1N succeeds. So do not be tempted to bid 1
♣
instead of 1N!
Consider this very plausible sequence:-
1
♣-1
♠(opp)-*(hearts)-P(opp)-1N(12-16)-P(opp)-2
♣(9+HCP inquiry)-P(opp)-2N-P-P-P This is
2N on flat hands with just 21-23HCP - by no means a certainty.
Responses in BETA to our 1NT opening when opponents do not intervene:-
Responses are all outlined in the following table given below.
Similar to ACOL we
use a Non Prommisory 2
♣ staymanic inquiry, a RST or even PASS to play. Here all
similarity closes! 2
♠ declares near game+ strength and immediate interest in minors and initially requests partner's better minor.
Over any
intervention or PASS: 2N...3
♠ are all Rubinsohl transfers showing a 6+ card suit or 5-5+ if a higher rebid is subsequently made.
2
♠ requires potential game values & explores for a minor or NT contract
Note: In ACOL most use 2
♠ and 2N as minor suit transfers request. BETA does
not. Largely our 2
♠, a relatively rare bid, is designed for this purpose. Also our Rusinov
transfers of 2N & 3
♣ following intervention offer competitive: 5
card minor transfers & 6 card major transfers - guaranteeing at least an 8 card fit..
BETA Responses to partner's 1NT opening bid and NO intervention:
BID
|
HCP
|
Nature
|
Opener's. Rebids
|
Constraint
|
| 2♣!
|
any
|
non-promissory inquiry. Aims to play in a suit rather than 1NT.
|
3C!|P|2♦|2♥|2♠|2N
|
6|4|4|4|5
|
| 2♦!|♥!
|
0+
|
Forcing, 5+ major transfers
|
2♥|♠
|
automatic
|
| 2♠!
|
(12)13+
|
Forcing. Partner should give better minor.
Note: Suggests values for 2|3NT or possibly a minor game. Any rebid
made by responder may be passed, any raise responder makes is
invitational
|
2NT: To play
3|4|5 mi:
3Ma:
3NT: To play
|
3-3 in minors
4♦'s or 4+♣'s
4 card Major guard in Major
|
| 3♠!
|
Game values
or more
|
Transfer to 3NT with both Majors guarded
|
3NT
|
Rubinsohl Transfer
with
both Majors guarded. Further bids show slam interest and a second 5+ card suit
- pls do not use 4N Blackwood -only a 'quantitative' 4N.
furthe bids in a suit are cue-bids and forcing
TURBO follows
|
3NT
|
To play
|
With both Majors guarded.
|
Pass
|
Flattish hand
|
2N|3♣|♦|♥|♠
Following any 2-level intervention:
or PASS
|
Forcing to completion.
Weak breakouts
Strong game forcing
|
Rubinsohl Transfers -
Transfers to 3♣....N.
Contract safer in the responder's suit
Suggests game is on the cards - suggests investigation.
|
Complete transfer
OR
without intervention complete OR cue-bid initiated.
|
6+ card suit.
Any responder rebid in a new
suit is game forcing following opener's completion of transfer - this
is NOT a cue-bid (shows a strong 5-5 Continuations see 55+
|
| 4♣|♦
|
game values
|
Forcing, major transfers, 6+
|
4♥|♠ |
|
| 4♥|♠
|
distributional
|
Forcing minor transfers: 5+
|
5♣|♦
|
|
| PASS | 6..9 HCP | ¬ 5 card ♥|♠ |
|
|
An opponent DOUBLES your 1N opening - it can be like being stung by a bee - but don't panic!
There
are 2 distinct cases :- 2nd position & Protective.
(i) 2nd position: 1N-*? Treat it as a Penalty Double. Likely to be a
balanced hand. Based on a HCP count. A guideline minimum is mid-point plus of
your 1NT point count range.
[With 2 suits most pairs these days will be more likely to show this by
bidding a minor (we use CDH) or With a good Major suit a direct o'call
is largely favoured or with a 6+ card suit Rubinsohl transfers can be
used as BETA does]
Concentrating on Doubles of BETA's 12-14 NT presume a 13+ HCP count.
The numbers suggest that your partner with 8+ considers leaving the
Double in - declarer has advantages in the play that swings 20-20 point
count split in declarer's favour. But with (7) or less seriously
considers taking defensive action into a 2-level suit bid. In BETA the
most common escape is to a minor based on the definition of BETA's 1NT
opening bid. BETA also uses a transfer mechanism to protect the 1NT
hand from being exposed on the table:-
Redouble is used to transfer to 2 Clubs and 2C is used to
transfer to 2D's. Similarly 6(good 5) card majors may be
signalled by 2D & 2H - transfers to 2H & 2S
respectively.
Vulnerabilities around the table also plays a big part! If you are
vulnerable leaving the double in achieves +200 for the opponents
if -1: A valuable prize indeed. If you are NVul then be less keen to
escape the Double as 1NT * making scores 180 also a significant result!
Of course if you have a quality suit you are sure to have a 2+
card Major fit or 3+ minor fit with your partner if you have a good
biddable 5+ card suit. However if you have more HCP than your partner's
assumption you may PASS especially if light in the major suits. This is
a complicated situation with many choices and more experienced players
will have the advantage for sure....
(ii
) 1N-P-P-*? A protective/balancing double. Also 1NT opening bid may
have been preceeded by 0,1, 2 or 3 passes - if 3 presume a a better
than a 20-20 situation and PASS.
Opponents's double, suggesting that its a 20-20 or better situation at
the table and 1NT should be disturbed rather than suggesting penalties
- asking partner to bid a 5+ card suit as their balanced hand
provides likely adequate support. With 2 suits its more tricky we
use CDHothers have other mechanisms all involve the concept of the wriggle hopefully!
These
2 doubles are not at all the same! But both are looking to compete, to disturb the 1NT and play in their best suit at
the 2-level. With balanced hands are simply for penalties or can be converted to penalty if his partner passes.
In every case the 1NT partnership has to decide whether its safer to stand
the double or escape into a suit contract - usually a minor in the case of BETA (see details below).
By
the way: when opponents open 1NT BETA uses defensive tools such as CDH
and Rubinsohl transfers and Double too of course. See our
NT_Defence.
Now
we discuss BETA's defence when Partner's 1NT opening (12-14) is
doubled. BETA's prime means of escape is to take-out 1NT into
a 2-level minor contract. - a decision that is usually taken
by the responder. However
there is one somewhat rare situation in which the 1NT bidder may
take-out into 2
♣ himself holding unusually a 5|6 card club suit. Mostly choice is down to the opening bidder's partner.
Case a) RHO Doubles. Responder has 5 possible bids that can be made following a Double:-
(NOTE THE IMPORTANT USE OF TRANSFERS TO ALLOW THE HAND TO BE PLAYED BY THE 1nt BIDDER.)
(i) 2
♣! A transfer to 2
♦ opener: Opener is known to be xxxx or Hxx in Diamonds
Opener Completes the transfer
or possibly bids PASS with a (5)6 card Club suit
(ii) **! A transfer to 2
♣ opener: Opener is known to be Hxx or xxxx in Clubs (possibly even 5|6 Clubs!)
Opener Completes the transfer or can PASS with a suitable maximum 14HCP
& 3-3-4-3 or similar distribution- sure puts pressure on the opponents - now almost certainly heading for a penalty!
(iii)
PASS (shows values - 10+) by Partner is suggesting to accept the * - an excellent result whenever it
succeeds with 7 or 8 tricks - but beware if either 6 or 9
tricks are made...it fails! Opener may now:-
PASS opting to play in 1N*
2
♣ holding a 5|6 card club suit
2
♦ 4 Card quality Diamond suit
** By 1N opener Goes for game - putting pressure
on the opponents! Suggests a MAX (13)14 HCP good opening -
intermediaries (lesser honours count).
(iv) Regular RST with a (5)6+ card Major - beware the 5-2 fit
(v) Initially uses ** for Clubs and 2
♣ for Diamonds. These forced rebids should be passed
vi) RARE sequences: Responder shows a 5-5+ Hand. Rubinsohl transfer first to the LOWER
ranking followed by the Higher ranking suit. Showing a 5-5+ hand.
Opener is now in control:- can
select to play in either suit, 2N to play; 3N usual distributional
inquiry,
The aim in all the above is designed to make the 1NT bidder declarer whenever possible.
Case b) RHO passes.
Reponder's choices:
(i) 2C NP Stayman: 2D. 2H & 2S show 4 card suits 2N shows 4+ Clubs
(ii) Classic RST: 2D|2H to 2H & 2S respectively
(iii) 2S asks for better minor
(iv) 2N to play or 3N if partner i MAX.
(v) PASS preference to play - best with both majors guarded!
Case c) RHO bids a suit (natural) like our CDH defence for example
Case d) RHO bids a minor - a transfer to a Major or wriggle
In case (c) PASS is most likely. However Rubinsohl may be used
competitively with suit length & * is for penalties with adequate
HCP and some trumps
In Case (d) Double of an artificial minor indicates that suit - sets up
possibility to find a minor fit in defence. Rubinsohl bids are also
available
Rare game(+) going responses:
1N-4
♣|
♦ transfers to 4
♥|
♠ 6+ card Major
1N-4
♥|
♠ transfers to 5
♣|♦ 6+ card minors
RESPONDER MUST ALWAYS GET OPPONENTS SYSTEM EXPLANATION OF ANY BID MADE BY RHO