Hand 6 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 6 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 sixth hand I generated:

	North ♠4 ♥AJT5 ♦K9765 ♣Q76
West ♠7653 ♥862 ♦4 ♣KJ984		East ♠KQJ92 ♥KQ9 ♦AJ8 ♣T5
	South ♠AT8 ♥743 ♦QT32 ♣A32

Dealer is East and E/W are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
EW 3♠
NS 3♦
NS 1NT
EW 2♣
NS 1♥

Analysis

If East opens up 1NT, South will Pass and so will West. Will North come in? Can they show this hand?

If they don't come in East will play in 1NT and go down.

If East opens up 1♠, South will Pass and so will West. Will North come in?

If they don't come in East will play in 1♠ and take 9 tricks.

So better to open 1♠ if North does not come in.

If North comes in and East has opened 1♠ it is easy for West to compete to 3♠. LAW of total tricks.

If East opens 1NT and North does bid just what do they bid?

If North decides to show either a one suited hand or a two suited hand either way they are bidding at the 2 level and East can bid 2♠ and West can compete. So it probably won't matter if North does come in.

But because ♠ plays MUCH better than NT and because it is easier for West to compete when they know they have a nine card ♠ fit I am going to say it is better to open 1♠ with the East hand.

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