Weakness takeout in bridge

Free bridge lessons and videos: graemetuffnell...
How many points do I need to respond to a 1NT opening in bridge? None, when you're making a weakness takeout!
Play bridge online: skybridgeclub.com
#bridge #bridgelessons #contractbridge

[@louisaeggleton3426]

Mine opened 1d. I passed and opp x and they had a 2 level contract bid. I figured because we were not vulnerable, I'd bid 2s forcing them to go 3, but they all passed and i made the 2s contract. Risky but paid off - i didn't want them playing in a 2 level fit!

[@Skybridgeclub]

Nice one, Louisa!

[@mvanderheijden6953]

I would bid 2H jacoby convention

[@TheUburex]

The weak takeout is not just about being happier in 2S rather than 1NT. In this case you have 4 points and yr partner has 13, so the opposition have 23. By bidding 2S you make it hard for them to get into the auction. Instead of them getting a part score (or game if you were both even weaker) you either make your own part score (as here) or maybe (f you were weaker) go down 1 or 2. Even here you aren't vunerable so you are much better off losing 50-100 points instead of letting them get a lot for a game.

[@Skybridgeclub]

Thanks, Peter. Knowing how the scoring works is so important.

[@tehniciaglika760]

After a strong 1NT (15-17 or better) most players use transfers, because it places the final contract almost always in the NT hand. This is a slight advantage at trick 1, when you get the lead up to the strong hand. It also creates a forcing situation: the NT bidder cannot pass the transfer, and responder gets a second chance to describe his hand. This is a decided advantage when responder has a slamgoing hand. And it allows you to stop at a low level on a very weak hand.
After a weak or very weak NT (12-14 or less) placing the contract in the NT hand is not necessarily an advantage any more. But to create a forcing situation when responder has a slamgoing hand or staying low when responder is very weak, is a bit of a hassle without transfers, so most players play transfers anyway.
If you don’t play transfers you have to find a way of ending at a low level on a weak hand, like play 2D as a puppet to 2H after which pass, 2S, 3C or 3D are sign off.

[@Skybridgeclub]

Thank you for your thoughtful comments.

[@heathertempleton308]

Thanks