Hand 12 - 1 of a Major

This is chapter 12 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 twelfth hand I generated:

	North ♠2 ♥Q42 ♦AQ9 ♣AKT743
West ♠AQ876 ♥AKT ♦J72 ♣Q5		East ♠J93 ♥J97 ♦KT8654 ♣2
	South ♠KT54 ♥8653 ♦3 ♣J986

Dealer is West and N/S are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
5♦ can make by E/W
4♣ can make by N/S
2♠ can make by E/W
1NT can make by N/S
1♥ can make by N/S

Analysis

If West opens up 1NT I think North would somehow show their ♣ suit -- either by bidding 2♣ or some play Double as showing a single suit.

I think East will now "Pass". Most partnerships would play a 2♦ bid as a transfer rather than a natural bid here. Though IF you play 2♦ as natural that works well on this hand.

East also might bid 2♠ as a RELAY to 3♣. This shows either a WEAK hand with ♣ or a weak hand with ♦.

South might raise Partner's ♣ suit. They have four trump and a singleton. But they also might "Pass" since they are weak in High Card Values. If East does bid (something) then South should definately raise.

As long as East decides to show their ♦ suit E/W should be fine. They have the higher ranking suit and even manage to make a game if they play it right!

What happens if West opens 1♠?

North will bid 2♣.

East will raise to 2♠.

South will bid 3♣.

West might make a game try showing ♦ but now the partnership will want to play in ♠ since they have that major suit fit. ♠ does not play nearly as well as ♦.

Definately it depends on who decides to bid and how high but I think it is easier for E/W to find their ♦ fit if West opens 1NT. Either way I think North will come in. Now it just depends on how much N/S want to bid. This hand would go quite a few different ways when played in real life!

So I am going to say bidding 1NT gives the best result here. It allows the partnership to find their best fit more easily.

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