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Modern Notrump rebid ranges after One over One response

Historically (after you open, say 1  and partner responds, say 1 ):

1 NT = 15-16;
2 NT = 17-18;
3 NT = 19.

However, the 3 NT rebid is very clumsy: you have no room to investigate alternative games. Far better for 1  -1 -3 NT to show a gambling hand based on a trick source eg;

♠ Q
♥ Q 10 7
♦ A K Q 10 8 4 2
♣ A J

♠ K
♥ J 10 6
♦ A K Q 9 6 2
♣ A Q 3

(for what else would you rebid with these hands — a non-forcing 3 ?). Further, in the modern era of responding light given any excuse, do you really want to jump to 2 NT holding a 17-count and get overboard with 17 facing 5/6 points?

Here are the modern Notrump rebid ranges for the aspiring player (after eg 1 -1 ):

1 NT: 15-17 (a really good 17 can upgrade to 2 NT).
2 NT: 18-19.
3 NT: Gambling based on a trick source (see above hands).

 

Exercise: 1 -1  -?

Hand i) Hand ii) Hand iii)

♠ A J
J 6 2
A Q 4
♣ A J 7 6 2

♠ A K Q
Q 4 3
8 4 2
♣ A K J 2

♠ A 2
♥ J 4
K 2
♣ A K J 9 7 3 2

  • (i) 1 NT (15-17). Do not upgrade this not great 17.
  • (ii) 2 NT. Now you can explore for a 5-3 heart fit (see deal).
  • (iii) Gambling based on your clubs.

Click here to play this deal

North Deals
None Vul
A K Q
Q 4 3
8 4 2
A K J 2
10 9 6 4
A J
K 10 6 3
9 7 4
 
N
W   E
S
 
J 7 3
9 7 5
A Q 9 7
10 8 6
 
8 5 2
K 10 8 6 2
J 5
Q 5 3

 

West North East South
  1  Pass 1 
Pass 2 NT Pass 3 
Pass 3  Pass 4 
Pass Pass Pass  
4  by South
Lead:  10
Made 4

 

3 NT would have lost four diamond tricks and the ace of hearts — the defence would have time to switch to diamonds, even if they didn’t lead a diamond initially.

In 4  , declarer won West’s  10 lead with  Q and correctly crossed to  Q, to lead  2 towards  Q (key play). In this way, West was restricted to just one trick. He elected to play J but declarer won dummy’s  Q and led back to  10 and  A. The defence cashed two diamonds but declarer ruffed the third, cashed  K drawing  9 and claimed ten tricks and game made.

Note that if declarer led  Q from dummy to West’s  A, he’d likely lead to  10 next and lose to  J.

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