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In ACBL world, is there any rule that prohibits my NT range from being 13-15 if my shape is 5332 and the range is 10-13 if my shape is not 5332 ?
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variable NT
#2
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Posted 2026-January-16, 09:07
From ACBL Convention Charts, updated June 2025
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"7. "Range": "15-17" is a range of three points (15, 16, and 17). "10-12 or 15-17" is a range
of 8 points. (The difference between the extremes of 10 to 17 inclusive.) If a pair plays
one NT range when Vul. or in certain seats (e.g., 15-17) and another NT range when Not
Vul. or in other seats (e.g., 10-12), those are two distinct ranges of 3 points. It is only
when a bid could be either 10-12 or 15-17 at the time making the bid that the range
would be considered to be 8 points"
Basic, Allowed
4. A Natural NT opening bid, as long as it shows at least 10 HCP and the Range is not
greater than 5 HCP
Basic+, Allowed
4. A Natural NT opening bid, as long as it shows at least 10 HCP and the Range is not
greater than 5 HCP
Open, Disallowed
5. *** A Natural 1NT opening bid that has a Range greater than 5 HCP.
Open+, Disallowed
5. *** A Natural 1NT opening bid that has a Range greater than 5 HCP.
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As your proposed 1NT is effectively 10-15, a 6 point range, it is not allowed in any chart.
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"7. "Range": "15-17" is a range of three points (15, 16, and 17). "10-12 or 15-17" is a range
of 8 points. (The difference between the extremes of 10 to 17 inclusive.) If a pair plays
one NT range when Vul. or in certain seats (e.g., 15-17) and another NT range when Not
Vul. or in other seats (e.g., 10-12), those are two distinct ranges of 3 points. It is only
when a bid could be either 10-12 or 15-17 at the time making the bid that the range
would be considered to be 8 points"
Basic, Allowed
4. A Natural NT opening bid, as long as it shows at least 10 HCP and the Range is not
greater than 5 HCP
Basic+, Allowed
4. A Natural NT opening bid, as long as it shows at least 10 HCP and the Range is not
greater than 5 HCP
Open, Disallowed
5. *** A Natural 1NT opening bid that has a Range greater than 5 HCP.
Open+, Disallowed
5. *** A Natural 1NT opening bid that has a Range greater than 5 HCP.
----------
As your proposed 1NT is effectively 10-15, a 6 point range, it is not allowed in any chart.
#3
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Posted 2026-January-16, 12:25
...but "11-13, but could be 14 or 15 if 5332" would be fine (but you should explain it, probably even announce it, that way. If you Announce 11-15, if they ask, definitely tell them).
Just don't upgrade even the best 10.
Just don't upgrade even the best 10.
Long live the Republic-k. -- Major General J. Golding Frederick (tSCoSI)
#4
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Posted 2026-January-16, 13:11
Thanks , both of you
#5
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Posted Today, 08:40
mycroft, on 2026-January-16, 12:25, said:
...but "11-13, but could be 14 or 15 if 5332" would be fine (but you should explain it, probably even announce it, that way. If you Announce 11-15, if they ask, definitely tell them).
Just don't upgrade even the best 10.
Just don't upgrade even the best 10.
So as long as one stays within the 5 HCP range, could one have variation based upon whether the hand being played is a) white vs white or b) white vs red or c) red vs white or d) red vs red ?
#6
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Posted Today, 13:43
shugart24, on 2026-January-18, 08:40, said:
So as long as one stays within the 5 HCP range, could one have variation based upon whether the hand being played is a) white vs white or b) white vs red or c) red vs white or d) red vs red ?
Yes. Playing different ranges based on vulnerability is specifically mentioned in the section of the convention charts quoted above. It's actually pretty common.
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