mycroft, on 2024-February-04, 21:38, said:
This is just opinion. You may have noticed I have opinions :-) but it's not "math" and it's not "experience has shown".
I am, I think, aggressive (compared to club players, probably not bracket 1) over NT. My opinion is that 9s that aren't 8s don't bother inviting against 15-17. So my invitations are 8ish, poor 9.
Is this enough? Maybe. I wouldn't say "Yes, absolutely"; I wouldn't be upset if partner did invite.
But I also am of the opinion that invitations over 1NT should be rare, especially at matchpoints. +120 scores just as well in 1NT as 2NT; +150 frequently scores well even if it loses to +400/+600, especially if it required top-level play to make that ninth trick. And +90, or +120, beats -50/-100, whether it is bad breaks, minimums, good defence, or almost-top-level play. And the defence plays better when they know what contract they're defending, whether it's "clearly a minimum 3NT" or "2NT is a convention, not a contract" - even if it's just that little extra care on the opening lead, or "do we have to try for +90 for a good score?"
So, I am by and large a "pass or bash" responder (oddly enough, less so opposite a weak NT, but then again, my set of invitations playing Keri are different from those in a Stayman/Transfer system).
Is this worth an invitation? Maybe. I wouldn't say "No, never"; I wouldn't be upset if partner didn't invite - again, especially at matchpoints.
As far as partner goes, yes, responder to NT is captain, but opener has to play it. And if partner is uncomfortable playing thin games (or thin 2NTs) and is even likelier to go down in them if "I told partner not to do this to me", then you'll score better if you hope for +120 rather than +400, or +90 rather than "120 or bust". You might not score *well*, but you will score *better*.
I think Simon said something like "if you're playing with (a weaker player) who says 'I have my bids', if you're going to play the hand, do whatever you like. But if you have to put down dummy, be very sound - have your bid. Anything else degrades partner's trust and confidence, and he will play worse than he always does."
Your partner doesn't think this is an invitation - fine. Don't make it. Partner won't make game when she goes anyway, even if she could; and it's embarrassing to be -1 in 2NT. And take advantage of the fact that when partner invites, she's got the goods, you can accept on any hand that doesn't scream "no". It might not be the best strategy, but there's nothing actually wrong with "invite heavy, accept light" over "invite light, accept heavy".
This one might be "I'm not going to compromise on this one, partner", but it's "partnership harmony" and "style discussion" more than "masterminding".
Not only is there nothing wrong with ‘invite heavy, accept light, but it is in fact mathematically and demonstrably superior to the converse..invite light, accept heavy’
Bear in mind that we are discussing fine nuances An invite heavy, accept light, would invite with say Q10x xx AQ109x 10xx (if they don’t, they are not very good). Whereas an invite light, accept heavy might well pass without those 10s.
On 90% of hands (that’s my gut sense) both schools invite and accept or don’t invite at all…blast or pass.
Both schools will miss the same number of making games. The invite heavy miss some because partner held a good hand and/or the cards sat well, but responder had to pass 1N, in keeping with the style. The invite light, accept heavy will miss some games as well, since the invite is still only an invite and opener may be minimum yet the game makes anyway.
These misses should balance out…if not, then one pair is overdoing the ‘light’ or ‘heavy’ aspect.
So it’s a push in terms of reaching games…whether they make or fail.
The difference is in the number of times both styles stay out of game. When the invite heavy side stays out of game it’s usually because responder passed 1N. Otoh, when the invite light crowd stay out of game it’s usually because opener was minimum and passed 2N.
Ok…if you know you have about 23-24 hcp and have to choose between playing 1N or 2N, it’s a no-brainer. While both will often make,t here is no reward for bidding 2N and taking 8 tricks instead of taking the same tricks in 1N. But there is definitely a penalty for taking 7 tricks in 2N compared to 7 tricks in 1N…or taking 6 tricks in either contract.
The frequency of gain for invite heavy is low, but there is zero downside….obviously significant downside on individual hands but, summed over all the hands wherein one side plays 1N and the other plays 2N, the 1N crowd wins hands down.
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
Help
but very common in the BBO main bridge club.
