This Week in Bridge
(546) Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level Interference
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 7 of 10 robert@advinbridge.com
General
There are many systems the opponents play to interfere over our 1NT opening bid, but almost all of these systems use the 3-level (actually 2NT+) for the same meanings – 2NT as a weak bid showing both minors and 3-level bids as weak with a long suit, preemptive. It is important that we and partner are on the same page for how to deal with this higher-level interference. Let’s see how.
Vs. 2NT for the Minors
After partner opens 1NT and RHO bids 2NT, showing both minors, a good agreement is to play Stayman and Transfers at the 3-level and 4-level.
Example 1
1NT 2NT __?
X Penalty-oriented, 8+ points (length in at least one minor suit)
3♣* Stayman, game forcing
3♦* Transfer to ♥, 5+card ♥, 8+ points (invitational+)
3♥* Transfer to ♠, 5+card ♠, 8+ points (invitational+)
3♠ … Illogical bid!
3NT To play
4♣ Gerber
4♦* Texas Transfer, 6+card ♥
·4♥* Texas Transfer, 6+card ♠
4-level systems are still on -- unchanged!
With length in the Majors (not the minors) or at least one 4-card Major and only invitational values, Responder does not have enough values to bid immediately, but instead starts by passing and then makes a takeout double of whichever minor suit (3♣ or 3♦) the opponents bid next.
Example 2
1NT 2NT P 3♣
P P X
Vs. 3♣ Preempts
After partner’s 1NT opening bid and a jump to 3♣ by RHO, Responder has a negative double available to show 8+ points (invitational+ values) and at least one 4-card Major. Other bids at the 3-level are natural and game forcing. 4-level bids that are jumps – 4♦ or 4♥ -- remain Texas Transfers and most partnerships play a 4♣ cuebid to show 5-5 Majors with game forcing values (though it is possible to play this 4♣ bid still as Gerber if the partnership chooses.)
Example 3
1NT 3♣ __?
X 8+ points, at least one 4-card Major
3♦ 5+card ♦, 10+ points, GF
3♥ 5+card ♥, 10+ points, GF
3♠ 5+card ♠, 10+ points, GF
3NT 10+ points, GF (may or may not have a ♣ stopper)
4♣ 5-5 Majors, 10+ points, GF (optional treatment)
4♦* Texas Transfer, 6+card ♥, 10+ points, GF
4♥* Texas Transfer, 6+card ♠, 10+ points, GF
4♠* 4-4 minors, Quantitative, about 16 points (same as our normal agreement)
4NT Quantitative, about 16 points
Advanced Note
Some partnerships play Systems On vs. a 3♣ overcall.
X Stayman, 8+ points
3♦* Transfer, 5+card ♥, 8+ points, Invitational+
3♥* Transfer, 5+card ♠, 8+ points, Invitational+
Vs. 3♦+ Preempts
If the opponents preempt the auction even higher, 3♦, then our traditional Texas Transfer bids (4♦ and 4♥) are not both jumps and so most partnerships play that those transfers are now off, making bids at the 3-level natural and leaving us to discuss what the 4-level bids show. Double remains used as a negative double, but the higher it is, the more values it promises.
Finally, a cuebid of the opponent’s suit shows a 2-suited hand and game forcing values:
1NT 3♣ 4♣ 5-5 Majors
1NT 3♦ 4♦ Texas Transfer to ♥ (some partnerships use 4♣ as still 5-5 Majors)
1NT 3♥ 4♥ *5-card ♠ and 5-card minor (some play Texas Trasnsfers)
1NT 3♠ 4♠ Slam Try with both minors (some partnerships play differently)
Note: It is possible to have the agreement that Texas Transfers are on even if not a jump. The most important thing is for us and partner to agree. Many play that Texas Transfers are on vs. 3♦ interference and some play it vs. 3♥ interference. It is important to have a good agreement as we do not want to bid 4♥ expecting it to be a transfer and have partner pass!
Conclusion
When the opponents make a preemptive 3-level overcall after partner opens the bidding 1NT, they eat up much of our valuable bidding space. We have little room below 3NT to search for a Major suit fit and/or right-side any potential game contract. Working out stoppers in the opponent’s suit and making slam tries without getting too high becomes even more difficult. Make sure you and partner have good agreements about when transfers (both Jacoby and Texas) are on and when you return to natural bidding. It is better to have some agreement with partner (even an imperfect one) than to have no agreement at all and be left guessing!