Hand 10 -- 1NT vs 1 Major

This is chapter 10 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the tenth hand I generated:

Dealer: East	North ♠Q ♥Q87 ♦K42 ♣QJT765
West ♠T832 ♥K53 ♦J653 ♣92		East ♠AKJ95 ♥642 ♦AT7 ♣A4
	South ♠764 ♥AJT9 ♦Q98 ♣K83

Dealer is East and everyone vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3♠ can make by E/W
1NT can make by E/W

Analysis

If East opens up 1NT I think West will "Pass" and North might find a way to show their ♣ suit. No matter how they do this I think East will now bid 2♠. South can raise Partner's ♣ suit. West can raise Partner's ♠ suit. LAW level.

What happens if North opens 1♠?

West will "Pass". Will North balance in with 2♣?

If they do, West should compete (LAW level) so you will end up with the same result.

However if North does not come into either auction then East is better off opening 1♠ since ♠ takes 9 tricks and NT takes only 7. So this hand is better off opening 1♠.

How does ♠ do realistically?

Declarer should find 8 tricks pretty easily and it is easy to let the Opponent's in and make them play ♦ for you for the ninth trick.

1NT is a little tougher to get that ninth trick. Plus if the Opponents get into ♣... If South leads a ♥ I assume Declarer will just take their eight tricks. Not a lot of ways to make nine tricks in NT.

To see the table where all the hands are listed click HERE!