1NT opening 12-14 HCP adjusted

This text is written for a 12-14NT adjusted. BETA strongly recommends the use of a weak NT 12-14 (after adjustments). Importantly 1NT takes a significant amount of weight off of BETA's 1♣ opening. In fact if any hand fits our 1NT specification then it MUST NEVER be opened 1♣. 
Please take a look at the text  1Club v 1NT to understand this statement.
Open with 1NT with 12-14 HCP  after being suitably adjusted (see guidelines below) AND when it respects ALL shape constraints:

Guidance for adjusting HCP count for a 12-14HCP 1NT opening:-

Never adjust in either direction by more than 2 points.
Also a 3rd hand opening of 1NT can be made on a 11-14 HCP adjusted count

There are also strict shape constraints:-

• 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 preferred to a 1♣ opening.

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 fit'...the probability that a 1N opening contains a 4 card Major is about 1 in 5 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 penalty is almost certainly a good win for the opponents.

BETA's defence when 1N is doubled:

1N-*-P! is a transfer to 2♣ & 1N-*-** is a transfer to 2♦. These bids are 'safe' as partner is known to have 3or4 cards in each minor!  Also 2D & 2H  are regular transfers to a major (partner holds 2-4 cards in each Major & max 6 major cards. All 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.
We now have 2♣ & 2♠. Both show some strength. 2♣ is a regular stayman! - partner to show a 4+ card suit - only clubs can be 5 or even 6 cards! 2♠ is a strong bid showing game values with major guards - if minimum bid 2N | if maximum bid 3N | with 5-6 Clubs bid 3♣.

opp bid	resp bid	requires opener's  rebid:-	mandatory	notes for other
*	P	2C	Y
*	**	2D	Y
*|P	2D,2H	2H,2S	Y	RST
*|P	2C	2S,2H,2D,2N,3C	staymen+	2N=4|5 C; 3C=5|6  C
*|P	2S|3S	Forcing to 2N|3N	Y	promisess Major cntrls
2any	2N...3H	3C....3S	Y	Rubinsohl transfers responder shows 6+ card suit. (or 55+ hand - see note below)

Also following any intervention:  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 the Rusinov bidder may continue.
Important note: This permits the Rusinov bidder two show a 2nd suit announcing a 5-5 or better distribution. This is achieved by first transfering to the lower ranking suit and then when partner completes ths transfer, which he is obliged to always do - allowing the Rusinov bidder to to now rebid his higher ranking suit. In this case the control of the bidding goes to the partner of the Rusinov bidder and bidding proceeds following 55+ theory alone!
Do not be tempted to  open 1N with a {43}33 breaking the 7+ minor card rule -  probability is a better result is reached with a 1♣ opening bid & sequences. See our 1C opening.

Partners BETA responses to a 1NT opening are also shown in the table above!

Intervention has minimal effect

Note this allows even
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 ranking 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 showing strength.  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 without intervention:

BID	HCP	Nature	Opener's. Rebids	Constraint
2♣!	any	non-promissory Staymanic inquiry.	|P=2♣|2♦|2♥|2♠|2N|3♣	4♣|4♦|4♥|4♠|5♣|6♣ Note: showimg 4H|S is given priority over 4mi
2♦!|♥!	0+	Forcing, 5+ major transfers	2♥|♠ respectively	automatic
2♠!	(12)13+	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	2N or 3N to play 3♣: 5+ card suit	promises Major guards.
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♣....3♠. 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 ♥|♠