Bridge -- Balancing 1NT

[4sigma]

I am curious what people understand to be the requirements for a balancing 1NT, i.e. 1-P-P-1NT.

Bridge World Standard says: In reopening-position, a one-notrump overcall shows 10-14 (by a passed hand, 10 to a maximum non-opening).

I have the impression that 1NT has a wider range over 1-P-P-1NT than it does over 1-P-P-1NT. For example, it might be 10-16 over 1, but only 10-13 over 1. (With 14-16 over 1, you start with double and expect to be able to rebid 1NT. You do not expect to have this opportunity over 1)

Does anyone have any agreements about this?

[Numbers Nerd]

I posted on this subject in the bridge bidding article, as it is the perfect bid on #6. But to recap, I play 1NT = 11-14. Over 1S, you may need to stretch and bid it with 15 or 16, assuming you don't want to double and bid 2NT over partner's expected 2-level response. Years ago, I played it as 8-11 with a favorite partner.

[4sigma]

Here are some links to various discussions of the range of a balancing NT.

There is a good panel discussion of several experts on this page of the minimum needed to balance with 1NT. There is less discussion of where the maximum would be, though Kit Woolsey mentions his agreement:

Originally Posted by Kit Woolsey

By my agreements, a balancing 1NT call shows 10-14 HCPs over a one-of-a-minor opening bid, and 10-16 HCPs over a one-of-a-major opening bid.

Here is the moderator's (Steve Robinson's) conclusion:

What we’ve learned is that when you are 4333, you could bid 1NT over one-of-a-major with ten HCPs, certainly a good ten. However, you need a little more to bid over one-of-a-minor. When it goes one-of-a-major - pass - pass, the opponents are usually in a reasonable spot so you balance more often. After one-of-a-minor - pass – pass, they could be in a 4-1 fit, so you balance less often.

Here's another discussion I found -- not familiar with the author:

1NT (1D-Pass-Pass-1NT) = About 11-14 pts. with stoppers (or moderate length) in the opponent's suit. If you're vulnerable -- and/or if the opening bid was 1H or 1S -- raise the range to 13-15 (or a poor 16) pts.

This site has an excerpt from Marshall Miles:

Originally Posted by Marshall Miles

...The general guide I follow is that I can be a queen lighter for my suit bids and doubles and slightly lighter than that to balance with a one notrump bid. I play that a 1NT bid in fourth position shows 12-16 HCP over a major and 12-14 points over a minor. The reason for the distinction is that if you make a balancing double after a minor-suit opening, partner's response will usually be at the one-level, and you can then rebid 1NT with 15-17. Over a major, partner's response to your double will usually be at the two-level; you don't want to double and then bid 2NT with only 15-16 points opposite what could be a Yarborough.

Some players adopt a slightly lower range like 10-14 for the balancing 1NT over a major. The theoretical problem is how to describe all of the hands of various strengths where you wish to compete without having impossibly wide ranges. With 10-11 points, game is improbable, and if you do choose to reopen with a balanced hand, you can double, intending to pass partner's response. A balancing double followed by a 2NT bid over a two-level response shows 17-19 points, while an immediate 2NT bid is not Unusual Notrump - it shows 20-21 points, or perhaps less with a good minor suit

Another article by an author I've never heard of:

1NT is 11 - 15 HCP in balancing seat. [ 1D Pass Pass 1NT ]…..this is not showing 15-17 HCP.
If holding a hand with 1NT opening values double then bid notrump your next turn. [ 1D Pass Pass Dbl ] : [ Pass 1H Pass 1NT ]…..this is showing 15-17 HCP.