[ochinko]

helene_t, on Jun 18 2006, 12:43 PM, said:

Hmm ... obviously, my choice for a 1NT opening is not very popular here. Let me try to defend my choice:

- I just want to play notrumps. This is matchpoints and nobody is vulnerable. I don't want LHO to make a 1♥ or 1♠ overcall. And if they play Capp, they may not even be able to find their fit at the 2-level.

- 14 points? Points schmoints. This hand is strong enough.

But OK, my subconscious desire to declare the contract may be part of the story so I should probably take a lesson from this thread (that was the purpose of starting it after all). So next time I get this hand I'll try to remember not to open 1NT.

I don't mind the off-shaped hand but 1NT from your hand is wrongsided unless you really believe you would get a ♣ lead.

[the hog]

1NT 12-14 on this hand is fine Helene; don't let them get to you.

[Chamaco]

About the 3♣ rebid.

I suspect you were playing with an italian.

In Italy, it is very common (and taught to all beginner), to use the 3C rebid as a relay to ask for a 5 card suit (a 5 card minor, when opener has denied a major).

This is absolutely standard in italian mid-low flights (competitive players of course have their own gadgets, or at least, follow some of the tools commonly known in USA and the rest of Europe).

Just another examples of the confusion caused by different bridge standards, even worse in occasional partnerships :-)

[helene_t]

Actually, I played with an "Expert" from Sweden. In Modern Efos, which is an extension of Swedish Modern Standard, 3♣ was presumably a pubbet to 3♦, after which 3♠ showed 5-4 majors. His correct bid, playng Efos, was a transfer to hearts followed by bidding spades twice (my instinct would be to start with a transfer to spades, following the princible of higher 5-card first, but starting with a transfer to hearts must be superior).

I have no idea how widespread this treatment is among advanced players in Sweden.

[Trinidad]

helene_t, on Jun 22 2006, 05:34 AM, said:

Actually, I played with an "Expert" from Sweden. In Modern Efos, which is an extension of Swedish Modern Standard, 3♣ was presumably a pubbet to 3♦, after which 3♠ showed 5-4 majors. His correct bid, playng Efos, was a transfer to hearts followed by bidding spades twice (my instinct would be to start with a transfer to spades, following the princible of higher 5-card first, but starting with a transfer to hearts must be superior).

I have no idea how widespread this treatment is among advanced players in Sweden.

When I was reading the discussion, I had the feeling that the 3♣ bidder was Swedish. It is a popular treatment in Sweden to play that 1NT-2♣; 2♦-3♣ asks about opener's three card major. The convention is called "repeated Stayman". It is widespread among club players in Sweden. My guess is that over 80% of the older players between "social" and "advanced" plays it and I can easily imagine that there are older experts who play this.

Your partner obviously suffered from the same disease that at least 50% of the bridge players suffer from: Thinking that their way to play is the only right way to play. (This is not exclusive for bridge players. Generalized: Most people suffer from the idea that their way to do something is the only right thing to do it.)

About your 1NT opening. I don't mind opening off shape NT openings (5422/6322/4441). But you have to have a reason to do that and not do it for the sake of opening 1NT on as many hands as possible. In this particular case, you don't have a reason: You have an easy rebid and if your side is playing a NT contract it would be better for your partner to declare.

Rik