Balancing NT

After a 1 of a suit opening and 2 passes, the bid of 1NT is normally treated as a balanced hand in the 11-15 HCP range, regardless of the partnership agreement as to the strength of a 1NT overcall or 1NT opening bid. Additionally the bid promises a stopper in the opened suit and would deny possession of a 5 card major suit, and tends to deny the ability to make a balancing takeout X.  After 1 followed by 2 passes:

QJ2                  AT76                 J543

AJ3                  K3                      KJ9

K7542             QJ43                  KJ43

JT                    A76                    QJ

Bid 1NT             Bid X                    Bid 1NT             

Although the 2nd hand above meets the HCP and stopper requirements for a balancing 1NT, a takeout double is preferred as it will make partner aware of your spade suit holding.

To show a balanced hand in the 16-18 HCP range we should X first, then bid NT as the 2nd call.

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005