Interference over 1NT and the Precision Club By Neil H. Timm

Playing 2/1 most pairs use the NT range of 15-17 points. And playing Precision the bid of 1 normally shows a hand with 16/17+ points.

When you interfere over these bidding systems what is the (1) best method in the direct seat and why and (2) how many points are needed to interfere?

What do we know? The strong hand has about 16 points and his partner has on average 7 for a total of 23 points. That leaves about 17 points for you and your partner! If you have at least 6 points, partner has about 11 which allows you to compete to the 2-level.

What about shape in the direct seat?

Use the Rule of 8 where the sum of your two longest suits minus the number of losers in your hand is 2 or more e.g., 6HCP+2 loser=8!

For example: AK KQJ109 1093 K6 so 5+3=8 length -5 losers = 3>2. However, with 107 KQJ1098 1093 86 you have 6+3=9 length -8 losers = 1<2 so do not compete.

Next, your goal should be to use a method the (1) applies to either bidding system (2/1 or Precision), (2) puts the strong hand on lead, and (3) interfere with their bid.

Playing 2/1 many pairs use DON’T, Cappelletti, or Meckwell and over Precision MANY use Mathe where a double shows the majors (at least 5-4) and 1NT the minors (at least 5-5) and all other bids are natural or SUCTION, CRASH, or TRASH among others!

No need for a different system for weak NT; however, some use a double for penalty and others may use it for takeout!

The major problem with “interference” conventions are that if the contract is won the wrong hand is on lead.

Is there a better method that is easy to remember? Yes!

Modified Blooman at the 2-level over 1NT and at the 1-level over the Precision club!

Over 1NT all 2-level bids are transfers to a 6-card suit and over 1* again bid show a 6-card suit. And again, the hand must satisfy the RULE of 8 with at least 6 points.

The interference bids are:

Over 1NT = 15=17

• DBL*- relay to 2 then:
• 2 shows the majors
• 2 shows hearts and a minor
• 2 shows spades and a minor
• 2* - transfer to 6-diamonds
• 2* - transfer to 6-hearts
• 2* - transfer to 6-spades
• 2* - transfer to 6-clubs
• 2NT* – 5-5 in the minors

Over the Precision 1*

• DBL*- relay to 2 then:
• 2 shows the majors
• 2 shows hearts and a minor
• 2 shows spades and a minor
• 1* - transfer to 6-hearts
• 1* - transfer to 6-spades
• 1* - transfer to 6-diamonds
• 1NT* - transfer to 6-clubs
• 2* - 5-5 in the minors

*=alert

Note the similarity of the two approaches. Reviewing hand patterns, hands with a 6-card suit occur about 15.12%, while hands with 5-5 structure only 4.07%.

What about in the Balance seat? Simple!

Use the Rule of 2: Compete with a singleton or two doubletons.

If all pass, bid a your 6-card suit naturally or use a double* to show a two suited major-minor hand.