Barry Margolin
2/22/2014 4:20:00 AM
In article <le95uq$gp7$1@dont-email.me>,
Steve Willner <swillner@nhcc.net> wrote:
> [1S-P-2S-]
> On 2014-02-21 7:12 AM, Lorne wrote:
> > On the question of what to bid (assuming a different hand) 2N should
> > tell partner you have playing strength and little defense...
>
> Why isn't 2NT natural? Maybe your opponents promise they own the hand
> when they bid this way, but mine don't. 11 opposite 3 or less is quite
> possible for many pairs.
Frequency. While that may be possible, it's not common -- it requires
both opponents to be bidding on an absolute minimum. And to make 2NT,
you need lots of fast tricks or spades double-stopped. The defenders can
most likely take 4 spade tricks and a couple of tricks in side suits.
Many pairs don't even play Sandwich 1NT as natural, although I think
most experts do. You're only at the 1 level, and partner can easily pull
to his long suit on the 2 level if you're doubled. 2NT doesn't have
nearly this safety.
--
Barry Margolin
Arlington, MA