Quote
What do I do? In a strong notrump system, I have an easy pass. Partner will almost always have a weak notrump, or a roughly equivalent hand with long clubs. We have no particular need to compete opposite that.
xxx
Kxx
AQxxx
xx
its a near perfect example for my case. Here it simply way safer to X if you play a weak nt and more dangerous to pass if you play a strong nt no matter how you look at it. Think about it its fairly obvious.
In a weak nt context here are partner possible hand and look at the possibles outcomes. My hand can be a bit weaker or a bit stronger (assume that i have a ensemble of hands similar to the example ,with 4 S or not short H or not)
balanced 15-17 = i double and they get nailed or we bid 3Nt or partner bid 3S and i bid 3Nt or i pass and he reopen with a 17. When we both pass its more likely we missed game but its more likely we are defeating 3H. But remember i need less to double
unbalanced 3 suiter short in H dead minimum. double he bid 3S i bid 3Nt and he correct to 4m (he know i didnt bid 3Nt right away) Its likely we go down but they possibly can make 3H.
unbalanced short H medium. If i double we reach game and we may go overboard. If i passed he may or may not reopen (both for good and bad results)
unbalanced short H extras he will reopen with a double so its likely to reach the same spot. Wheither i pass or not.
long clubs. Partner will be less encline to reopen since i can act with less values.
In a strong Nt context.
balanced 12-14 = i need more to double. If I double partner will have a hard time passing if we bid 3Nt it might not be cold. If i pass he cant reopen with a 14. When we both pass its not likely we missed game but its more likely they are making 3H.
unbalanced 3 suiter short in H dead minimum. double he bid 3S i bid 3Nt and he correct to 4m (he know i didnt bid 3Nt right away) Its likely we go down but they possibly can make 3H. If i pass he has to avoid the temptation to reopen.
unbalanced short H medium. If i double we reach game and we may go overboard. If i passed he will need to reopen (because i still can have fairly good values) and ill probably need to overbid my initially borderline hand even if i know partner is quick on the balancing.
unbalanced short H extras he will reopen with a double so its likely to reach the same spot. Wheither i pass or not.
long clubs. Partner will be more encline to reopen since i can still have fair values.
Another simpler way to look at it is that with a weak Nt as possibility it take more values to enter at the 2 or 3 level (X, raise or new suit). Meaning that youll pass more often sometimes for good but sometimes for bad results. But the cost will be that partner will be under more pressure to rebid or to reopen because you pass was too wide and non-descriptive.
In a strong Nt, You have a polarization in 2 groups all hand that you dont want to compete (weak Nt) and the rest that may or may not want to compete.
While in a weak Nt you only have 1 group, Strong Nt and unbalanced hand where it might be good or bad not to compete.
From Psych "I mean, Gus and I never see eye-to-eye on work stuff.
For instance, he doesn't like being used as a human shield when we're being shot at.
I happen to think it's a very noble way to meet one's maker, especially for a guy like him.
Bottom line is we never let that difference of opinion interfere with anything."