Hand 18 - 1NT vs 1 of a Major (Hearts)

This is chapter 18 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 eighteenth hand I generated:

Hand 18

	North ♠J65 ♥72 ♦JT6 ♣KT954
West ♠KT7 ♥KT54 ♦K82 ♣QJ3		East ♠AQ2 ♥AQJ86 ♦Q4 ♣762
	South ♠9843 ♥93 ♦A9753 ♣A8

Dealer is East and N/S are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3NT can make by E/W
3♥ can make by E/W
1♠ can make by E/W
1♣ can make by E/W
1♦ can make by N/S

Analysis

If East opens up 1♥ I think West will bid 3♥ invitational. Or whatever West can do to show an invitational hand with four trump.

East will raise to 4♥.



What happens if East opens 1NT?

West might bid Stayman but with a 4-3-3-3 shape should IGNORE the potential 4-4 major suit fit and just bid 3NT.

On best defence 3NT will make but 4♥ will go down. South can lead their A♣ and then a ♣ to Partner's K♣ and then trump a ♣. Plus the partnership has the A♦.

So I am going to give 1NT the win here. You have a better chance of getting to the right spot (3NT) rather than the game that goes down.

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

Hand 17 - 1NT vs 1 of a Major (Hearts)

This is chapter 17 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 seventeenth hand I generated:

Hand 17

	North ♠A4 ♥AQ873 ♦Q63 ♣QJ4
West ♠Q6 ♥KT9 ♦JT954 ♣A75		East ♠KJ98 ♥J65 ♦AK72 ♣93
	South ♠T7532 ♥42 ♦8 ♣KT862

Dealer is North and no one is vulnerable.

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

Analysis

If North opens up 1♥ I think everyone will just "Pass". South has no values and the Opponents just don't have a suit good enough to bid!

What happens if North opens 1NT?

South will transfer to ♠ and "Pass". Unfortunately they are a level too high. You make 7 tricks only in either major.

So I am going to give 1♥ the win here. You stay LOW in the bidding.

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

Hand 16 - 1NT vs 1 of a Major (Hearts)

This is chapter 16 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 sixteenth hand I generated:

Hand 16

	North ♠J954 ♥A92 ♦J962 ♣Q9
West ♠KT7 ♥KQ754 ♦A7 ♣K82		East ♠8632 ♥J6 ♦KQ543 ♣A3
	South ♠AQ ♥T83 ♦T8 ♣JT7654

Dealer is West and E/W are vulnerable.

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

Analysis

If West opens up 1♥ I think East will bid 1♠.

West will rebid 1NT to show a balanced minimum and that is where they will play. East just doesn't quite have enough to invite.

What happens if West opens 1NT?

East will try Stayman but after not finding a ♠ will bid 3NT. They will get to game.

Will game make?

It should. I imagine North will now lead a ♦ rather than a ♠ (they know East has four of them) and it is easy to knock out the A♥ to get to at least 9 tricks.

So I am going to give 1NT the win here. You have a better chance of getting to 3NT which will make.

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