Hand 9 -- 1NT vs 1 Major

This is chapter 9 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 ninth hand I generated:

Dealer: North	North ♠KQT93 ♥AJ6 ♦KT ♣QJ3
West ♠AJ85 ♥KQT ♦A87 ♣864		East ♠6 ♥9432 ♦J943 ♣KT92
	South ♠742 ♥875 ♦Q652 ♣A75

Dealer is North and East/West are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
2♠ can make by N/S
1NT can make by N/S

Analysis

If North opens up 1NT I think they will play it there. South does not have enough to respond and the Opponents don't have a suit they can play in.

What happens if North opens 1♠?

Most newer players do not play constructive raises. They will get too high. South will respond 2♠ and North with their better than minimum hand will try for a game. They will stop in 3♠ but 3♠ goes down easily. There is only one Dummy entry. Sadness.

Even if you do play constructive raises it is hard to play this hand for the eight tricks needed to make 2♠.

I'm going to say this is a hand better off if North opens the bidding 1NT.

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