Standard American Bridge Lesson 10
Opening 1NT
This is a very special opening bid for 2 reasons:
1. Your hand is limited to a maximum of 17 instead of 21.
2. Your hand must be balanced.
A balanced hand contains
No 5-card major
Not more than one doubleton
No singleton or void
A balanced hand may contain a 5-card minor but, if it does, it will have no other 4-card suit. Since the opening bid of 1NT is so specific, both in point count and shape, the opener rarely bids again. The responder is expected to take charge and choose the best contract.
What would you open with these hands?
Hand 1.
Your Hand
♠ K 7 6 3
♥ A 10 8 7
♦ K Q 7
♣ A 7
Your Bid
Open 1NT
Hand 2.
Your Hand
♠ K 7 6 3
♥ Q J 8 7
♦ K 8 7
♣ A 7
Your Bid
Pass - you are too weak
Hand 3.
Your Hand
♠ 8 7
♥ K Q 5
♦ K Q 9 8
♣ A K 8 4
Your Bid
Open 1NT
Hand 4.
Your Hand
♠ 6
♥ K Q 5 4
♦ A 9 8
♣ A Q 8 4 3
Your Bid
Don't open 1NT with this hand because you have a singleton. Open 1 ♣
Hand 5.
Your Hand
♠ K Q 6
♥ Q 8 7
♦ A 8 6 5 4
♣ A 8
Your Bid
Open 1NT
Hand 6.
Your Hand
♠ K Q 6
♥ Q J 7 3 2
♦ A 8 6
♣ K 8
Your Bid
Don't open 1NT with this hand as you have a 5 card Major. Open 1 ♥
PREVIOUS LESSON - Responding to Partners Overcall NEXT LESSON - Responding to 1 NoTrump with a Balanced hand
BL5 © House of Cards 2008: info@bridgedoctor.com
