Weekly Hand Analysis - Mark Olsky - April 3, 2023 - Double after 1NT

 

Question:  What does a double after a 1NT bid indicate?

Mark:

The standard meaning, if you haven't made a clear other agreement with your partner (which would then have to be Alerted), is equal strength or better to the opponent's NT range. (i.e If, for example, the opponents are playing a 12 to 15 NT range, you could double with 13.) I'm not saying that makes it a good idea, but it would fit the standard meaning. In this case, I assume that N bid 1NT with 15 to 17, so E, with 7 high card points promised at least 15. This is not only a problem for the current hand, but could plant distrust in your partner for many future hands. If W trusts E, looking at 6 points and expecting your partner to have at least 15, shouldn't you double 3NT? I would double 2NT. Even if you have an unusual convention that says you have a heart diamond 2 suiter, this is the wrong hand for it. The hand is too weak and the suits aren't nearly good enough. 

  One problem with bidding over a 1NT and, (of course) 2NT is that the opening bid is very descriptive. The opener's partner knows if you've just stepped into a bad spot. Experienced players will start doubling when it's in their best interest, which is quite frequent. In this case, the perpetrator of the unwise double might escape a full disaster because of the very favorable vulnerability, but the damage to partnership confidence, as noted above, has a future cost.

  Here's a bit of practical advice about bidding over the opponents' NT opening; especially when opponents are using the common  15-17. Just Don't. By this I don't mean the popular DONT convention, which helps you describe a number of hands. However, unless you have lots of experience and a solid partnership, it's easy to get burned even when your hand can be described to a T. Suppose you have a 20 point hand and your right hand opponent opens 1NT. It feels strange to pass, but where would you hope to get. It's rare to have a game when the opponents open 1NT.  I would favor a specialized purpose convention for the double of 1NT. There are several such conventions. My own favorite is to show a single good suit and a decent hand in general. Partner is expected to bid 2 clubs, which you pass if that is your suit, or you bid your suit next. 

  Just an aside about South's 2NT invitational raise instead of 3NT. You know that you have at least 25 points in the partnership. Most players would bid game directly rather than just invite. If game is made at most tables, you get a terrible result. Imagine that the opening NT bidder is the kind of player that makes really shaky bids (Kind of like the current East). Now you underbid and you might start a chain reaction of shaky bids.