August 2022 - 63

Special Contributor
BY DR. JAMES
MARSH STERNBERG
mmay001@aol.com
4NT as takeout
Say the opponents open 4k or 4,
or they open one of a major and their
partner preemptively raises to four.
Double by you is takeout (especially
against 4k), playable in the other
three suits, some 4-4-4-1, 5-4-4-0
or 5-4-3-1 pattern.
Before discussing 4NT, let's spend
a moment on the meaning of double
after RHO opens four of a major. I often
hear players say, " Over 4k, double
is takeout, and over 4, it's penalty. "
Why? What's the difference? When
your RHO opens 4, are you more
likely to have:
K Q 10 3 kA 5 3 lA 8 7 'K 9 4
or
2 kA Q 10 9 lK J 9 8 'A K J 8?
I'm betting nine out 10 times it's the
latter hand, short in spades.
Notice it's the same problem playing
negative doubles. How high do
you play them? While there should be
no upper limit in theory, they are certainly
practical through 4. Why?
Say partner opens 1l and RHO bids
4. You hold:
7 6 kA Q 4 l7 5 2 'A J 6 5 3.
What would you do? Double is the
best choice, showing values. Yes, you
wish you had another heart, but if you
pass, it will likely end the auction.
Do you think they can make 4? You
have possibly two or three tricks on
defense, and partner opened the bidding.
Partner will pass your double
unless very distributional and thinks
your side can make something at the
five level.
Suppose partner opens 1k, RHO
bids 4, and you hold:
K Q 10 5 k4 2 l9 5 2 '8 6 4 2.
Consults with the Doctor
The many faces of 4NT (conclusion)
OK, finally you got 'em! Double! Of
course, what would you do in opener's
seat with:
- kA Q 7 5 4 lA K 9 6 4 'K 7 5?
Sure, you would bid 5l. So instead
of doubling, the best option for the
hand with the spade stack is to pass.
Opener will sometimes reopen with
a takeout double, which you will pass
with a smile. And if not? Take your
small plus score.
So double suggests three places to
play. But what if you only have two
places to play? You might be 5-5 in
the minors, or 5-5 in the red suits
when they have spades, or 5-5 in
clubs and the other major - a tough
hand. Because double says, " I can play
in the other three suits, " 4NT says, " I
can play in two suits. Assume it's the
minors unless I later correct. "
For example, you hold:
4 kK 4 lK Q 10 9 4 'A J 10 9 8,
and your right-hand opponent opens
4M (M = major), or LHO opens 1M,
partner passes and RHO bids 4M.
4NT would be takeout, playable in
two suits. Partner is expected to bid
the lowest suit he can (hopefully)
support.
Next, say you hold:
4 kK Q 10 9 4 lA J 10 9 8 'K 4.
Over their 4, bid 4NT. When
partner chooses clubs (big surprise),
you will bid 5l, showing your two
suits were hearts and diamonds.
When you have clubs and spades,
and they bid hearts, it's much more of
a problem. It's best to bid your spades.
Otherwise partner will pick diamonds
in these situations. Yes, it's a
bit scary to bid 4 over 4k with just
a five-card suit, but missing a possible
game is also scary.
The unusual notrump
Almost everyone plays that over the
opponents' 1k or 1 opening, 2NT
is the unusual notrump, showing the
minors. Over 1' or 1l openings,
many play that it shows the two
lowest unbid suits. But that leaves a
lot of room for the opponents. What if
you have more shape and want to put
extreme pressure on the bad guys?
Say you hold:
4 k- lQ J 10 9 8 7 'A K J 9 8 7.
If they reach four of a major, don't
you think you are going to want to bid
again? I know I certainly would. So
what are you waiting for? Just do it!
Bid 4NT right away after your RHO
opens one of a major.
Or take this case:
- kA 6 lA Q 10 9 8 'K J 10 9 7 6.
After 1, an unusual 2NT overcall
usually shows 5-5 in the minors with
varying strength, depending on partnership
agreements. But here, you
have a really good 5-6 hand. Should
you bid 4NT? Do you think you are
going to get a second chance in the
auction? Of course. The opponents
are certainly going to bid again. So
you can start with 2NT, and when the
bidding comes back to you in 4 (big
surprise), you can try this plan:
5' = Lots of extra values, clubs
equal or longer than diamonds.
4NT = Same, but diamonds longer
than clubs.
4NT can also be used in response to
partner's unusual 2NT. For example,
an auction like (1)-2NT-(4)-4NT
says, " OK, I'm interested in saving in
five of a minor, you pick. "
August 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
63
August 2022

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