Run-outs from 1NT Doubled

The only significant problem with opening a weak no-trump is the danger of getting caught for a penalty. Going for a large number really doesn’t happen very often at all, but if you are vulnerable, getting hit for 200 or 500 on what is essentially a part-score deal is a real possibility. But we don’t have to sit still for 1NT doubled if a suit fit looks to be better.

I am not suggesting that running is always the best policy. If responder has 6-8hcp in a more-or-less balanced hand, the points are split roughly equally between the two sides. The best choice will usually be to stand your ground and trust partner to bring home 1NT. If you are not vulnerable, even when very weak, responder may do best just to sit: if declarer can escape for one or two down, you may find that they have a good part-score or even game the other way.

But then there are the times when we need to escape. There are numerous methods for escaping from 1NT doubled. For better or worse, we have decided to go with Moscow run-outs, which are among the simplest methods. The advantages that I see are that the run-outs are easy to remember, and our constructive bidding doesn’t get damaged too much when the opponents are being silly. The biggest disadvantage is that we often lose the ability to play in 1NT doubled: we can play redoubled, but not doubled. That raises the stakes to an uncomfortable level when assets appear to be roughly equally divided. But to be fair, that’s a blade that cuts both ways. (For a much bigger discussion of the philosophy of competing over 1NT and different methods for competing and escaping, see Chris Ryall’s website:

http://chrisryall.net/bridge/1nt-complex.htm

I’m not saying I agree with everything he says, but I think I agree with most of it).

There are two basic situations, 1NT – Double and 1NT – Pass – Pass - Double.

1NT – Double

In this situation, we want to play “systems on”, so that our constructive bidding isn’t disrupted too much when the opponents are being silly. The escape bids are Pass, Redouble, and 2NT, all alertable.
Redouble requires opener to bid 2C. Responder can Pass with clubs, or bid 2D with diamonds.
2NT over the double shows both minors (pre-emptive), 5-5 or better.
Pass requires opener to redouble. Responder can then pass (to play in 1NT redoubled) or bid his lowest suit holding any two suits 4-4 or better. Opener passes with 3-card support or better, or bids the next suit up if he has a doubleton in responder’s first suit. Responder then passes or corrects to his second suit. We should therefore finish up in at worst a 4-3 fit at the two level. The opponents may find that harder to double.

1NT – Pass – Pass – Double – Pass – Pass

Note that with a very weak hand, after 1NT – Pass, as responder you should often try and bid something. The best hand at the table is on your left, and if you pass it will most likely double, announcing the situation to the world. If you can transfer to a suit or use garbage Stayman, you start to confuse the issue. A weak minor two-suiter can be handled by bidding 2S and either passing 3C from opener, or if he bids 2NT, correcting to 3D. That all being said, sometimes you pass, and a double comes back around to you.

In this situation, presumably responder either has enough to pass (which is how we can occasionally still play 1NT doubled), or has a one-suit run-out to a minor via redouble (same as above) or we’re in trouble. In the latter case, if responder has two suits at least 4-4, he bids the lower one. Opener passes with 3-card support or better, or bids the next suit up if he has a doubleton in responder’s first suit. Responder then passes or corrects to his second suit. As after the pass and compulsory redouble, we should therefore finish up in at worst a 4-3 fit at the two level. Since this means we can move to a suit contract, after 1NT – Pass, a responder looking at any weak hand with a mild two-suiter can elect to pass first and run later, if staying in 1NT looks plausible unless they double.