Sandwich No Trump (4 Articles)

1.This is a bid which is made in fourth seat when both of the opponents have bid two suits and partner has passed in between. A bid of 1NT promises both of the unbid suits and less than a full opening hand. The minimum would be 4-4 in the unbid suits, however, depending on vulnerability, 5-4 or 5-5 may be preferable, along with shortness in one or both of the opponents' suits. This bid blocks the opponents from bidding 1NT and differentiates between the full opening hand by the fourth seat person and the weaker hand. With a full opener, use the take-out double which also suggests the two unbid suits. The more distributional the hand is, the weaker, point-wise, you can be to make the 1NT overcall. If the opener (the opponent) passes, the partner of the 1NT bidder mustbid one of the two remaining suits unlesss/he has both of the opponents' suits stopped and no three card suit in the two suits partner has promised. The 1NT bid is alertable. You are giving up the natural 1NT overcall in fourth seat when the opponents have bid two suits, however, how often does it come up? Beware: Make sure both partners know you are playing this bid, or you could end up with some uncomfortable hands to play.

2. After the auction 1C/P/1H/?, advancer might want to enter the auction with a shapely hand with length in both unbid suits, maybe here with KJxxx/x/QJxxx/xx. A Sandwich 1NT bid shows this kind of hand. A conventional takeout double would show more defence. A takeout double in this position has more HCP and less shape, maybe a hand like this ... KQxx/Kx/AKJx/xxx.

3. When both opponents bid in a constructive auction, and all you hold is HCP, the cards are stacked against you. The time to intervene is when you hold distributional values which outweigh your HCP strength. If opponents can make partscore, partner may be expected to hold some HCP values. If partner is broke, opponents surely have game or slam Accordingly, a better use of the 1NT overcall, when both opponents have bid, is the Sandwich NT. This is like the unusual NT. It shows 5-5 or better in the unbid suits and a willingness to play at the 2-level.If Overcaller is 5-5 or better, and is willing to play at the 3-level, he instead overcalls with an Unusual 2NT.

Requirements 5-5 distribution or better in the unbid suits,less than opening hand strength, willing to play at the 2-level (example: 8 Losers nonvul, 7 Losers vul). With an opening hand and 4-4 or better in the unbid suits, start with a takeout double.

Examples:

Actions by responder Responder normally takes a suit preference at the highest level which, if doubled, will not cost more than the opponents' expected game or part-score. Responder's cue-bid shows equal values in Overcaller's suit, and asks him to bid the better one.

4 Purpose is to show a weak two-suited hand after both opponents have bid two suits. You bid NT in the sandwich seats 1D Pass 1H 1NT . With strength and shape make a Takeout Double instead.Your NT overcall is Sandwich NT and shows with the two unbid suits. Let partner choose a suit if your side is to preempt or sacrifice.If your hand is strong with defensive strength make a Takeout Double instead of bidding NT thereby informing partner that you have shape and strength. If you make a Takeout Double and then bid NT you are showing a balanced, true notrump-type hand with 17 - 19 HCP with at least both opponent's suits stopped.

Requirements:

May be bid by a passed or unpassed hand. May be bid at the one- or two-level. If partner makes a responsive notrump bid of any level, he is asking you to pick the suit.

Examples: