Complimentary Issue of Better Bridge Magazine March / April 2020

MODERN BIDDING BY OREN KRIEGEL Balancing Notrump Bids When the opponents open the bidding in a suit at the one level, either partner can compete with a 1NT overcall. While this typically shows a balanced hand with a stopper in the opponent's suit, the strength can vary depending on how the auction has gone. D irect 1NT O vercall A 1NT overcall directly over right- hand opponent’s one-level bid shows a hand similar to a 1NT opening bid. It shows a balanced hand with at least one stopper in the opponent’s suit and about 15-18 points. The slightly higher upper range is because a direct 1NT overcall is riskier than an opening 1NT bid since the opponents have already exchanged some information about their strength and distribution. Responder may be in a position to make a penalty double, knowing partner has at least opening-bid values. For example, suppose right-hand opponent opens 1♥: opener 1♥ ? ♠J 4 ♥A Q 7 ♦K Q 10 8 6 ♣A J 5 This hand is balanced with 17 high- card points plus 1 length point for the five-card diamond suit. That’s in the range for a direct 1NT overcall, and there are two heart stoppers. B alancing 1NT O vercall auction, or to “balance” and keep the auction alive. There is an inference partner has some values since right-hand opponent did not have enough to respond. So, the guideline in this position is an overcall or takeout double can be made with about 3 fewer points than in the direct position. Some players refer to this principle as “borrowing” the value of a king from partner. The same is true when the balancing overcall is 1NT. It can be made with about 3 points less than in direct position. It also shows one or more stoppers in the opponent’s suit. However, the upper range is a little different depending on whether the opening bid is a minor suit or a major suit. O pening B id in a M inor Here are some examples of whether to balance after an opponent’s 1♣ or 1♦ opening bid. A 1NT overcall in direct seat shows about 15-18 points. Applying the guideline of 3 fewer points than in the direct position, this suggests you can overcall 1NT in the balancing position with about 12-15 points. Suppose South holds this hand. West opens the bidding 1♦. North passes, and East passes. South is in the balancing position. A udrey G rant ’ s B etter B ridge | M arch -A pril 2020 opener 1♣ Pass ? ♠J 9 8 ♥A K 4 2 ♦Q 4 ♣K 10 9 3 There are 13 high-card points with clubs well stopped. This hand would be unsuitable to enter the auction if the opening bid had been on South’s right. In balancing seat, however, this hand is strong enough for a 1NT overcall. Let’s strengthen the hand a bit more. Here, West opens the bidding 1♦. North passes, and East passes. Pass opener 1♦ Pass ? ♠K 8 7 ♥Q J 4 ♦K Q 8 ♣A 10 8 2 With 15 high-card points and diamond stoppers, this hand is at the upper range for a balancing 1NT call after a 1♦ opening bid. Here is another possible hand for South. West opens the bidding 1♣. North passes, and East passes. Pass 1♣ opener Pass If left-hand opponent opens the bidding and both partner and right- ? hand opponent pass, you are in the balancing position. You’ll get to ♠K 10 7 3 ♥10 2 ♦A J 10 3 ♣Q 9 7 decide whether to pass and end the 16 Pass opener Pass 1♦ It is not appealing to let the opponents win the auction at the one level, but there is no appropriate way to bid with this hand. The distribution is wrong for a takeout double, there is no five-card suit to overcall, and a 1NT call would show at least about 12 points. South simply passes and defends. Let’s make the South hand a bit stronger. West opens the bidding 1♣. North passes, and East passes. Pass ? ♠A 7 ♥K Q 10 2 ♦J 10 7 6 ♣A Q J A balancing 1NT call over 1♣ should show a hand with about 12-

Complimentary Issue of Better Bridge Magazine March / April 2020 | Page 18