Escaping from 1NT X

Escaping from 1NT x

We’ve already discussed that doubling 1NT shows a good hand (15+).One of the perils of the weak no trump is that often when you open it the opposition may have the majority of the points. Without any trumps to ruff your losers, you could be in all sorts of trouble.

So when 1NT is doubled and responder is weak, we get rid of all of our normal system and we’re focussed solely on finding an eight (seven at worst) card fit to play in. The structure looks like this:

Pass To play. Probably 8+ points

XX (redouble)Shows a five card suit, forces partner to bid 2C

Then pass or correct to five card suit

2//Shows four cards in that suit and four in a higher ranking suit.

2Unused.

This is quite a simple idea but can be easy to get wrong! Some examples (partner has opened 1NT and it’s been doubled):

86 1NT X is heading for a big minus score. You want to play
Q8642in 2 so redouble and correct partner’s forced 2.
J93
986

QT86 Another bad hand. You have two four card suits, so bid
422. Partner will make an intelligent choice (see below)
JT93and you’ll correct his 2 to 2 if necessary.
986

6 Clearly you have a diamond fit, and 2 must have better
Q62chances than 1NT even in the worst case scenario.
JT9863Redouble then correct the forced 2 to 2.
986

A62This is the kind of hand where you’ll pass. Your
KQ62partnership has more than half the points, so 1NT x could
J98provide a nice plus score.
63

As opener, you need to really think about things when partner shows a two suited hand. If you’ve found a seven card fit, then great – play there. If not, or if you know you have an eight card fit, then bid on. Examples are the clearest way to explain this.

AK86Let’s start with this. Your 1NT gets doubled and partner
Q8642, showing four diamonds and four cards in a higher
J93suit. You’ve found your seven card fit but you know you
K8must have an eight card fit, so bid 2 to find it. Partner

will either pass or correct to 2

JT86 This time partner responds 2 after the double. You
A42clearly bid 2 and be prepared to pass 2 if partner bids
KQT3that.
A9

AQ6 Now after the double partner has tried 2. You’ve found a
KQ64seven card fit, but you could choose to bid 2 to try to
JT9locate an eight card fit there, content in the knowledge
J86that in the worst case scenario you’ll play in 2

K6Your 1NT is doubled. Partner bids 2, and it’s your go.
KJ65It might be tempting to try 2, hoping to locate either a
AJ98diamond fit or a heart fit. The problem is if partner has
632four clubs, four spades, two diamonds and three hearts –

she can’t pass, so you’ll end up in a dire 2. Just pass,

however reluctant you might be to do so.