[david_c]

Flame, on Sep 21 2005, 08:46 PM, said:

Another point is with 15-17 is 1x-1y-2nt being 18-19 is abit too strong, and if responder suppose to have 6 hcp its rarly passed, begining it with 17 might be a good idea.

Just on this point - it's a good thing that 1x-1y-2NT is rarely passed when it shows 18-19HCP. You don't want to play 2NT contracts if you can help it.

Agree with others that a 14-16 no-trump is best suited to systems where stronger balanced hands are opened 1♣. The Welland-Fallenius system is a nice example of this.

[cf_John0]

There are lots of types of 1NT opening ranges of HCP.On the strong 1NT,the HCP range usually was 16~18hcps some time ago;
Now,the commonly used is 15~17hcps;
Perhaps it would be 14~16hcps one day.

This post has been edited by cf_John0: 2005-September-21, 20:46

[Walddk]

Fluffy, on Sep 22 2005, 12:19 AM, said:

Walddk, on Sep 21 2005, 09:10 PM, said:

I agree with Luis; no major difference between 15-17 and 14-16. One slight advantage if your NT range is 14-16. For obvious reasons you get to open 1NT more often.

Roland

This is a disadvantage because you will lose 4-4 major fits when partner is weak

The same applies to 15-17 if you have 17 and partner is weak. Playing 14-16 you will not, so your point is not valid.

Roland

[ABadPlayer]

Well I'm a big advocate of opening NT as frequently as possible so I would certainly be in favor of 14-16 if the alternative was 15-17. We might get a little to high on the occasional 17-18 point hand, but that's a tradeoff I can live with.

[flytoox]

I think one advantage of 14-16NT is it takes pressure of 2c over 1D opening. In this case opener can rebid 2N without worrying that pd might pass it. So responder can bid 2C over 1D with balance 10-11HCP.

[Gerben42]

I've always liked 14 - 16 for this situation indeed. Suppose it goes
1♦ - 2♣ or 1m - 2m (inverted) and you are playing strong NT because you are vulnerable (I know, chicken ) If your NT is 15-17, 14-counts want to force to game but 3NT would be 18 - 19. Now it is simpler: rebidding 2NT denies a notrump opener (so less than 14-16) and can be passed. I've found this very helpful.

I've seen this auction:
1♦ (3+♦)
- 2♣ (11+)
2NT (12 - 14)
- 3♣ (signoff)
3NT (well I had 14!)

[helene_t]

flytoox, on Sep 22 2005, 05:46 AM, said:

I think one advantage of 14-16NT is it takes pressure of 2c over 1D opening. In this case opener can rebid 2N without worrying that pd might pass it. So responder can bid 2C over 1D with balance 10-11HCP.

Agree. Also, it takes some pressure away from the inverted raise 1m-2m. (The latter is not a big issue since you've plenty of bidding space, but it allows for a simpler scheme).

[Chamaco]

1) I a 2/1 context I lke 14-16 NT better than 15-17, provided we are playing the Mexican 2D opener for 17-18/19 hands, as Mike has mentioned

2) in a strong club + 5c Major context I prefer to use a (12)13-15 NT, in order to absolutely guarantee 4+ cards in diamonds and an unbalanced hand.
In my view, the advantage of knowing fo sure that 1D is 4+ and unbalanced is invaluable (e.g. much superior than any subtlety invlved in "nudging" the range of NT) for both constructive and competitive bidding.
Of course Canape strong club players won't have such a problem

[han]

luis, on Sep 21 2005, 04:03 PM, said:

cherdano, on Sep 21 2005, 08:53 PM, said:

I like 14-16 when opening light. When you routinely open light on distributional 26 Zar-point hands, then it is in my view inconsistent to pass almost all balanced 11 counts. However, if you open them, your 1NT rebid becomes 11-14, a little wide.

About dealing with the 17-19 range: I think some machinery like NMFO ("New minor forcing by opener" in inquiry2over1) is best for this, and maybe some of the more efficient ways to add gadgets to a natural system.

Arend

If you play 1NT 14-16 just use 2NT as 19-20 or 19-21 and the 2NT rebid is 17-18. I think this is quite simple.

Playing this structure you are often playing 1 level higher than the field when partner is minimal, especially with a 5-card major. Playing NMFO somewhat solves this problem (as well as freeing up the 2NT rebid, which can be used for awkward hands). Possible other solutions are transfer responses to 1C, or play that 1C-1D-1NT shows 17-19 balanced.