Re: how do you bid this hand?

On May 4, 2:02 pm, Stu Goodgold <st...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On May 4, 5:12 am, David Babcock <d...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > Matchpoints, white/red, RHO deals and p*****.  You are playing 15-17
> > 1NT.  For an auction 1m:1M:1NT, you have a version of 2-way checkback
> > where 2C forces 2D.  You hold
>
> > Kx  AJ  KT9xxx  Kxx
>
> > Question 1.  Do you open 1D or 1NT ?
>
> A sage I knew had the maxim: You need TWO good reasons not to bid NT.
> 1. you have 14 HCP, and 2. you have less than ideal NT shape.

Although I would probably bid 1D, the maxim I always heard was two
_flaws_ I don't know that the fair six-bagger is a flaw. I know it
makes the hand too strong for a Weak NT.

KXX - AJX - KTXX - KXX is an ideal shape for NT. Would that be more
tempting?

>
> I'd open 1D, expecting a 1M response.  Then I'd rebid 1NT to protect
> my Ks.
> 1NT opening is not wrong though, especially if you want to go against
> the field.

I don't know that a 1NT opening bid here would ACHIEVE going against
the field where I play. And I think rebidding 1NT is an underbid that
you have to make if you don't open 1NT and treat it as a balanced
hand.

=96
Will in New Haven
"Decaf? Decaf is for children!" - Jim Thompson