Simulation 8Z17 Main

Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

by Richard Pavlicek

Suppose North opens 1 in first seat, East passes, and you hold:

West
North
1 East
Pass South
? 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Alex Hudson of Morrisville, North Carolina, asked, “In the long run, is it better to pass partner’s opening or respond 1 NT to keep it open? I am also curious about the effects of vulnerability and form of scoring.”

I would bid, mainly on the chance (dream?) that partner has hearts, and also for the tactical advantage of not revealing my dreadful hand to the opponents. Nonetheless, I can’t offer a definitive answer, so it seems a good scenario for a simulation.

This is a difficult simulation because of many variables. If you pass (Option A) the bidding won’t necessarily end (West may balance). If you respond 1 NT (Option B) which I play forcing, Alex semiforcing, even with East-West silent the final contract could be anywhere from 2 to 4 , excluding 3 (which you’d raise to game) or four of a minor. If opener jump-shifts to 3 or 3 , I would pass (content to improve the contract over 1 ) rather than press my luck, but Alex prefers to continue.

Where to start? In order to get a handle on this, I’ll assume 1 NT is forcing, no interference, and South follows my strategy of passing any rebid except 3 . Therefore, responding 1 NT will have North declaring 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 3 , 3 , 3 , 4 or 4 ; or South declaring 2 NT or 3 NT. Hence, for each random deal the contract to compare with 1 must be determined by opener’s rebid, an unappealing task for 10,000 deals, so the computer will decide at the expense of being flawed occasionally by the lack of expert judgment.

For a simulation I created 10,000 random deals with the South hand fixed. North: 13-22 total points; 5+ spades (unsuitable for 1 NT or 2 NT); no longer suit; at most 9 playing tricks. East: no appropriate action (overcall or double) over 1 . No constraints were placed on West (no turn yet) as any attempt to do so would bias the situation.

Results are shown below. Trick Average shows the average number of tricks won by declarer. Make Percent shows how often the contract is made (including with overtrick) and Overtrick Percent how often an overtrick is made. The second table compares the options directly, with the better option leftmost. Net W-L (matchpoints or board-a-match verdict) counts +1 for a win and -1 for a loss. Net Score and Net IMPs are calculated twice, first with declarer nonvul (green) then with declarer vul (red). Plus values show the net gain over 10,000 deals.

Results are tainted because West would sometimes compete, which would often change the final contract, and North-South might end up defending. Even so, it is hard to say which option (pass or 1 NT) would be more affected, so the comparative influence should be minimal. Despite this flaw, evidence clearly shows that passing 1 fares better at any form of scoring and vulnerability. Could the tactical advantage of keeping the bidding open overcome this? I doubt it, so the bottom line is to pass more often. Hmm… Where have I heard that before?

Results for 10,000 Deals
Option Trick Average Make Percent Overtrick Percent
A. 1 N 6.2965 42.87 21.34
B. ?? ? 7.3152 35.64 17.84

Results for 10,000 Deals
Option	Trick Average	Make Percent	Overtrick Percent
A. 1 N	6.2965	42.87	21.34
B. ?? ?	7.3152	35.64	17.84

Comparison Net W-L NV Net Score NV Net IMPs Vul Net Score Vul Net IMPs
A. 1 N vs. B. ?? ? +1005 +29,410 +2216 +90,410 +3681

Comparison	Net W-L	NV Net Score	NV Net IMPs	Vul Net Score	Vul Net IMPs
A. 1 N vs. B. ?? ?	+1005	+29,410	+2216	+90,410	+3681

Actual Deals

Below are 100 of the 10,000 deals, including the first 20, last 20, and 60 in-between with the greatest IMP gains (30 for each option). Numbers after each contract show the tricks won by declarer with double-dummy play all-around.

1. K J 9 7 5 2
A Q 10 6 5
5
7
Q 8 3
8
Q J 9 3 2
A K 4 2 Table A 10 6
J 4
A K 7 4
Q 10 9 3
1 N → 8
2 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

2. Q 10 8 7 6 5
A
J 7 4 3
A Q
A K J
Q 8 6 5
K Q 5
10 7 4 Table 9 3 2
J 10 4
A 9 2
K 9 3 2
1 N → 6
3 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

3. K J 9 8 3
A 5 4
A 7 5 3
3
A Q 7 2
J 10 8
9
A 10 7 4 2 Table 10 6 5
Q 6
K Q J 4 2
K Q 9
1 N → 6
2 N → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4. K Q 10 6 2
8
A J 9 4
A 9 4
J 8 5
A J 10 5 4
Q 7 5 3
K Table A 9 7 3
Q 6
K 2
Q 10 7 3 2
1 N → 6
2 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5. A K Q 10 7 6
J 8 6
Q 4
7 2
5 3 2
A Q 4
K J 9 3 2
10 3 Table J 9 8
10 5
A 7 5
A K Q 9 4
1 N → 6
2 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6. A K Q 6 2
J
K Q 7 5 4
9 3
J 10 9
A 8 5
A J 3
A K Q 7 Table 8 7 5 3
Q 10 6 4
9 2
10 4 2
1 N → 7
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

7. A 10 8 7 6 5 3
6
A J 2
A 9
K J
Q 10 8
K Q 5 3
10 7 4 2 Table Q 9 2
A J 5 4
9 7 4
K Q 3
1 N → 8
3 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8. A Q 9 6 3
Q 10 6 5
Q J 9
7
J 10 5 2
A J 4
5 3 2
K Q 4 Table K 8 7
8
A K 7 4
A 10 9 3 2
1 N → 5
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9. K J 8 7 3
6
Q 3
A Q 10 7 3
A 10 6 5
A 10 4
J 7 4 2
K 9 Table Q 9 2
Q J 8 5
A K 9 5
4 2
1 N → 4
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

10. Q J 10 8 2
8
A K J 9 7
10 2
A K 9
A 10
Q 5 2
A K 7 4 3 Table 7 6 5 3
Q J 6 5 4
4 3
Q 9
1 N → 5
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

11. A Q 9 8 7 5
10 8 6
A 4
Q 4
K 10 3
4
K Q 9 7 5
A 10 9 2 Table J 6 2
A Q J 5
J 3 2
K 7 3
1 N → 6
2 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

12. A K 10 9 6 5
Q 10
A 9
K Q 10
3 2
A J 8 4
K Q J 5
9 4 2 Table Q J 8 7
6 5
7 4 3 2
A 7 3
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

13. A K J 10 9 8 6
Q 10 8
—
Q 9 2
5 3
A 6
A Q J 7 5 3
K 10 3 Table Q 7 2
J 5 4
K 9 4 2
A 7 4
1 N → 9
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

14. K Q 10 8 5
6
K 3
A Q 4 3 2
9 7 3
A J 10
9 7 5 2
K 9 7 Table A J 6 2
Q 8 5 4
A Q J 4
10
1 N → 4
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

15. A 9 8 7 6
—
A K Q J 5
A 7 4
K Q J 5
A Q J 10
7 2
Q 10 9 Table 10 3 2
8 6 5 4
9 4 3
K 3 2
1 N → 7
3 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

16. A K 10 6 5 3
J 5
5 4
A K 7
J 8
Q 10 4
A K J 9 7 3
10 3 Table Q 9 7 2
A 8 6
Q 2
Q 9 4 2
1 N → 7
2 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

17. A 10 9 7 5 2
Q 8 4
K 7
A 10
K Q J 8
5
A 4 3
K 7 4 3 2 Table 6 3
A J 10 6
Q J 9 5 2
Q 9
1 N → 6
2 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

18. A J 5 3 2
Q 10 5
K Q 3 2
2
9 8 7
A 6
A 4
K Q 9 7 4 3 Table K Q 10 6
J 8 4
J 9 7 5
A 10
1 N → 4
2 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

19. K Q J 10 5
8 6
A J 5 3 2
2
A 8 2
5 4
K Q 9
K 10 9 7 3 Table 9 7 6 3
A Q J 10
7 4
A Q 4
1 N → 6
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

20. A K Q J 9 7 5
Q 4
A 9
9 3
6 3 2
A 6
J 7 5 3 2
K Q 4 Table 10 8
J 10 8 5
K Q 4
A 10 7 2
1 N → 9
3 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

59. A K Q J 6 2
A 10 8 5
K 3
9
10 9 7 5 3
J 4
Q J 5
10 4 3 Table 8
Q 6
A 9 7 4 2
A K Q 7 2
1 N → 9
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

362. K Q 10 8 5
A J 10 5
A K
7 2
A 9 7 6 2
Q
4 2
A K 10 9 3 Table J 3
8 6 4
Q J 9 7 5 3
Q 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

419. 10 9 7 5 2
A Q J 10 5
A
K Q
A Q 6
6
K Q 9 4 2
A 7 3 2 Table K J 8 3
8 4
J 7 5 3
10 9 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

667. A K Q 7 2
J 5 4
Q 9
A Q 2
9 8 6 5
A 8 6
A K 5
10 7 4 Table J 10 3
Q 10
J 7 4 3 2
K 9 3
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

688. A Q 10 9 5 2
8 4
A 2
A K 3
7
A Q 6 5
K 9 5 4
10 9 7 4 Table K J 8 6 3
J 10
Q J 7 3
Q 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

727. K Q J 8 3 2
Q 10
K 2
A K 9
A 9 7 5
6 4
Q J 9 4
7 4 3 Table 10 6
A J 8 5
A 7 5 3
Q 10 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

812. J 10 9 6 2
A Q J 4
K Q 4
A
A Q 8 7
10
A 9 7 5 3
10 3 2 Table K 5 3
8 6 5
J 2
K Q 9 7 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

960. K J 7 6 5
A J 8 5
A
A Q 2
3
Q 10
K Q J 5 4 2
K 9 7 4 Table A Q 10 9 8 2
6 4
9 7 3
10 3
1 N → 8
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1083. A Q J 10 6 3
A J
A 9 2
9 4
2
Q 10 6
K J 5 4 3
A Q 7 3 Table K 9 8 7 5
8 5 4
Q 7
K 10 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1197. K Q 10 9 7 6
Q 4
A 5
A K 3
8 5 3
A J 8 5
Q 9 7
Q 10 9 Table A J 2
10 6
K J 4 3 2
7 4 2
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

1204. Q 10 9 6 5 2
A Q
A 5 3
A 4
K J 7 3
J 10 8
K Q 9 4
7 3 Table A 8
6 5 4
J 7 2
K Q 10 9 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1289. A K Q 10 9 5
A J 5
7
Q 10 7
8 6 2
6
A J 9 4 3 2
A K 2 Table J 7 3
Q 10 8 4
K Q 5
9 4 3
1 N → 10
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1332. A K Q 10 5 3
10
A Q 5
K 4 2
9 8
A Q 8 6 5
9 3
Q 10 9 7 Table J 7 6 2
J 4
K J 7 4 2
A 3
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1600. A J 9 7 2
A Q 6 5 4
—
A K 7
K 5 3
J 10 8
K Q J 9 2
Q 10 Table Q 10 8 6
—
A 7 5 4 3
9 4 3 2
1 N → 7
4 N → 12 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1822. A Q 10 7 5
A Q J 6 4
K 9
4
J 6
8 5
J 7 5 3 2
K Q 9 2 Table K 9 8 3 2
10
A Q 4
A 10 7 3
1 N → 5
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

1935. Q 9 7 6 5 2
A Q
A K
A 9 2
K J 8
J 8 6 5
Q 5 2
10 7 3 Table A 10 3
10 4
J 9 7 4 3
K Q 4
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

2388. K Q 6 3 2
A Q 8 6
K 5 2
A
J 7
10 5
Q J 9 4 3
K Q 3 2 Table A 10 9 8 5
J 4
A 7
10 9 7 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

2484. K Q 9 8 5 3
A 4
A 9
A 7 4
A 10 6
10
K Q J 7 4 3
10 3 2 Table J 7 2
Q J 8 6 5
5 2
K Q 9
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

2865. A K Q J 10 7
A Q 5
Q 2
4 2
8 3
10 4
A 9 3
K Q 10 9 7 3 Table 9 6 5 2
J 8 6
K J 7 5 4
A
1 N → 9
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

2911. K 9 8 7 6
A Q J 10 6
K 9
A
A 10 2
8 5
Q 4 3 2
Q 10 7 3 Table Q J 5 3
4
A J 7 5
K 9 4 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

3014. Q J 8 7 6 5
—
A 7 4 3
A K Q
K 10 9 3
A Q 8 6
Q
9 7 4 2 Table A 2
J 10 5 4
K J 9 5 2
10 3
1 N → 7
3 N → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

3090. A 10 7 5 2
A Q 10 6
A 3
A 7
9
J 5
K Q J 7 4 2
K Q 4 3 Table K Q J 8 6 3
8 4
9 5
10 9 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

3480. K Q J 9 7 3
A Q 6
A J
4 2
A 6 5
10 5
K 9 5 3
A Q 10 3 Table 10 8 2
J 8 4
Q 7 4 2
K 9 7
1 N → 9
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

3668. J 10 8 7 6
A Q 8 6
A Q J
A
K Q
J 10 5
9 7 4 2
9 4 3 2 Table A 9 5 3 2
4
K 5 3
K Q 10 7
1 N → 7
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

3994. A K 8 7 6 2
5
A 7 5
A Q 9
9 5
A J 8
K Q 9 4 3
4 3 2 Table Q J 10 3
Q 10 6 4
J 2
K 10 7
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4324. A K J 10 9 6
A 6 4
9 7
A 2
7 5 3
J
A K Q J 5 3
Q 10 3 Table Q 8 2
Q 10 8 5
4 2
K 9 7 4
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4460. Q J 9 7 5
A Q J 5 4
J 3
7
K 6 3
—
K Q 5 2
A K Q 10 9 3 Table A 10 8 2
10 8 6
A 9 7 4
4 2
1 N → 2
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4553. K Q J 7 3 2
A Q 10
9
K Q 4
9 5
8 4
A K Q J 7 3 2
3 2 Table A 10 8 6
J 6 5
5 4
A 10 9 7
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4701. A J 10 8 7 5 3
10
K Q 9 2
A
6
A Q 8 6
J 7 4 3
K 9 3 2 Table K Q 9 2
J 5 4
A 5
Q 10 7 4
1 N → 7
3 N → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

4724. A K J 7 6
Q 10 6 4
A K 7 2
—
Q 9 5 3
J
J 5 3
A K 10 7 4 Table 10 8 2
A 8 5
Q 9 4
Q 9 3 2
1 N → 7
4 N → 12 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

4894. K Q 9 3 2
A Q 8 6 4
9
A K
A J 10 6
—
K Q J 5 4 3
Q 9 3 Table 8 7 5
J 10 5
A 7 2
10 7 4 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5072. K Q J 10 5
A Q 8 6 5
2
A 4
A 6
10 4
A K Q 9
K Q 9 7 3 Table 9 8 7 3 2
J
J 7 5 4 3
10 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5102. A K J 10 2
A 10 6
7 5 4 3
9
8 6 5 3
8 5 4
A K Q J 2
2 Table Q 9 7
Q J
9
A K Q 10 7 4 3
1 N → 7
2 N → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5326. A K J 10 9
A 10 8 5 4
—
A 7 3
5 2
J 6
A K J 7 5 4 2
10 2 Table Q 8 7 6 3
Q
Q 9 3
K Q 9 4
1 N → 8
4 N → 13 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5349. A K 9 6 5 3
10 6
A 2
A K 2
J 10
A Q 8 4
Q 4 3
Q 10 7 3 Table Q 8 7 2
J 5
K J 9 7 5
9 4
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5776. A K 10 7 5 2
A 10
5 2
A K 2
9 8 6
Q 8
A Q J 9 7 4
10 3 Table Q J 3
J 6 5 4
K 3
Q 9 7 4
1 N → 9
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

5878. A Q 10 8 5
A Q 10 8 5
K J 5
—
K J 9
—
9 4 3
A Q 10 9 7 3 2 Table 7 6 3 2
J 6 4
A Q 7 2
K 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 12 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6280. A K Q 6 3 2
J 10 4
A K 3
10
8
A Q 8 6
7 5 2
A K 9 7 4 Table J 10 9 7 5
5
Q J 9 4
Q 3 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6542. K J 8 6 5
A Q J 8 4
2
A Q
Q 10 9 7 3
10 6
A 9 3
9 3 2 Table A 2
5
K Q J 7 5 4
K 10 7 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6551. A Q 9 7 5
A 8 6 4
A 7 2
A
J 8 6 3 2
—
K J 9 3
Q 7 3 2 Table K 10
Q J 10 5
Q 5 4
K 10 9 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

6582. A K Q 10 5
5 4
A 4 3
K Q 10
8 7 3 2
A J
Q J
A 9 7 4 2 Table J 9 6
Q 10 8 6
K 9 7 5 2
3
1 N → 6
3 NT S → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6694. K Q J 10 6 3
A 10 8
A Q J
4
A 2
Q J 4
9 4 2
A K Q 10 9 Table 9 8 7 5
6 5
K 7 5 3
7 3 2
1 N → 9
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6793. A 9 8 5 2
A Q J 8
J
A Q 4
6
—
A K 7 5 4 3 2
K 10 9 7 3 Table K Q J 10 7 3
10 6 5 4
Q 9
2
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

6844. J 10 9 6 5
A Q 6 4
A Q
A 2
A K 7 3
10 8 5
J 4 2
K Q 4 Table Q 8 2
J
K 9 7 5 3
10 9 7 3
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

7555. A K Q J 10 5
Q 4
K 2
K 10 2
9 8 6 3
A 10
Q 9 5 4 3
4 3 Table 7 2
J 8 6 5
A J 7
A Q 9 7
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8090. A K 7 5 2
Q 10 6 4
7
A K 10
Q J 10 9
A
A K Q 5
Q 7 4 3 Table 8 6 3
J 8 5
J 9 4 3 2
9 2
1 N → 8
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8198. A K 8 6 5
J 10 6 5
J
A K Q
Q J 10 7 3
4
A Q 7 4 3 2
9 Table 9 2
A Q 8
K 9 5
10 7 4 3 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8351. A K J 9 5
A J 8 4
A K
9 4
10 2
Q 6
Q 9 2
A K Q 10 7 2 Table Q 8 7 6 3
10 5
J 7 5 4 3
3
1 N → 9
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8568. A K Q 9 3 2
Q 6
K 2
A 9 7
J 10 8 5
A 8 4
Q J 9 4 3
Q Table 7 6
J 10 5
A 7 5
K 10 4 3 2
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8671. A K J 10 9 8
A Q J
J 3 2
10
Q 5
8 5 4
9 5 4
A Q 9 7 4 Table 7 6 3 2
10 6
A K Q 7
K 3 2
1 N → 9
3 NT S → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

8829. A 10 9 7 2
A Q 8
J 4 2
A K
J 6
J 6
Q 9 3
10 9 7 4 3 2 Table K Q 8 5 3
10 5 4
A K 7 5
Q
1 N → 6
3 NT S → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

8969. A Q 8 7 2
A Q J 6 4
A 4
4
10 9 6
8
K J 9 5 3
A K Q 7 Table K J 5 3
10 5
Q 7 2
10 9 3 2
1 N → 6
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9036. A Q 9 8 5 3
5 4
A 7
A K 9
J 7 6
A J
K J 9 5 3
Q 10 4 Table K 10 2
Q 10 8 6
Q 4 2
7 3 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9053. A 9 8 6 5
A Q J 6
Q 9 2
A
K J
10 5
K J 7 3
K Q 10 3 2 Table Q 10 7 3 2
8 4
A 5 4
9 7 4
1 N → 6
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9087. A K Q 10 5 3
A Q J
Q 9
9 2
9 6
10 8
K J 7 4 2
Q 10 4 3 Table J 8 7 2
6 5 4
A 5 3
A K 7
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9548. K 10 7 5 2
A Q 6 5
A
A 10 9
A 3
J 10 4
Q J 9 4 2
K 7 2 Table Q J 9 8 6
8
K 7 5 3
Q 4 3
1 N → 7
4 N → 10 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9591. A Q 9 7 2
A Q J 5
A 9 4
7
J 10 6
10 8
K Q J
A 10 9 4 2 Table K 8 5 3
6 4
7 5 3 2
K Q 3
1 N → 6
4 N → 11 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9602. A Q J 9 3 2
A 6
9 3
A K 7
10 8 7
Q 8 5 4
J 4
Q 4 3 2 Table K 6 5
J 10
A K Q 7 5 2
10 9
1 N → 10
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9796. A Q J 8 6 2
A Q
A Q 9
7 4
10 7 3
10 4
5 4 3 2
A K Q 2 Table K 9 5
J 8 6 5
K J 7
10 9 3
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9848. K Q J 10 3 2
A Q
K Q 7
10 3
A 8 6
8 5 4
4 2
A K 9 7 2 Table 9 7 5
J 10 6
A J 9 5 3
Q 4
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

9981. A J 7 5 3
A Q 8
A K 3
9 3
K Q 10
6 5 4
J 7 5 2
10 7 4 Table 9 8 6 2
J 10
Q 9 4
A K Q 2
1 N → 7
3 NT S → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9982. A K Q J 7 2
10 8 4
A J 2
4
10 8 6
Q J 5
K Q 3
Q 9 3 2 Table 9 5 3
A 6
9 7 5 4
A K 10 7
1 N → 9
3 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9983. K J 8 3 2
A Q J
A 9 5 2
Q
A 9 6
10 6
K J 7
A K 10 9 2 Table Q 10 7 5
8 5 4
Q 4 3
7 4 3
1 N → 6
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9984. Q J 10 9 3
A Q 8 5 4
Q 5
K
A 8 7 6
6
K J 9 7
A 9 7 4 Table K 5 2
J 10
A 4 3 2
Q 10 3 2
1 N → 5
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9985. A J 10 8 7 3 2
A J
J
A Q 3
K 5
10 8 6 5 4
A K Q 7 3
2 Table Q 9 6
Q
9 5 4 2
K 10 9 7 4
1 N → 9
4 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9986. A J 10 9 7 3
J 10 6
5
A 10 9
8 6 5 2
5
A K 7 2
Q 7 4 3 Table K Q
A Q 8 4
Q J 9 4 3
K 2
1 N → 6
2 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9987. A K 10 9 7 3 2
Q J 8
Q 3
9
Q J 5
A
A J 9 5 2
K 4 3 2 Table 8 6
10 6 5 4
K 7 4
A Q 10 7
1 N → 7
2 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9988. A J 10 6 2
A 10 6 4
7
Q 7 4
K 7 3
J 8
K Q 5 4 3 2
A K Table Q 9 8 5
Q 5
A J 9
10 9 3 2
1 N → 6
2 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9989. Q J 10 8 5
A Q J 6
J 9 4
K
K 9
10 5
A 7 5 3 2
A Q 9 2 Table A 7 6 3 2
8 4
K Q
10 7 4 3
1 N → 3
2 N → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9990. K Q 10 8 7 2
A 10 6
K
A Q 3
J 6 5 3
Q J 5
J 9 7 2
10 9 Table A 9
8 4
A Q 5 4 3
K 7 4 2
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

9991. K J 10 9 8 6 5
4
Q J 3
K 7
—
J 10 8 5
A K 9 5 2
A 10 3 2 Table A Q 7 3 2
A Q 6
7 4
Q 9 4
1 N → 5
2 N → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9992. A Q 9 8 6 3
J
A Q J 7
Q 10
10 5 2
A Q 6 4
5 3
K 9 7 4 Table K J 7
10 8 5
K 9 4 2
A 3 2
1 N → 6
2 N → 6 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9993. K 9 8 7 5
8 6
A Q J
A K 9
A 6
A Q J 10 5 4
7 5
Q 4 2 Table Q J 10 3 2
—
K 9 4 3 2
10 7 3
1 N → 6
2 NT S → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9994. A Q 8 7 2
Q J 6
K 7 5 2
4
K J 6 5 3
A 5
9 4
A 10 7 2 Table 10 9
10 8 4
A Q J 3
K Q 9 3
1 N → 4
2 N → 5 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9995. A J 7 6 5 2
6 4
K 5
A 3 2
K 8
A Q J 5
Q J 7
Q 10 9 7 Table Q 10 9 3
10 8
A 9 4 3 2
K 4
1 N → 4
2 N → 4 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9996. K Q J 10 5
8 5
A 4 3 2
Q 4
7 6 3 2
A Q 10 6 4
7 5
A 2 Table A 9 8
J
K Q J 9
K 10 9 7 3
1 N → 4
2 N → 3 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9997. A K Q 10 9 8
J
J 4 3
A 9 3
J 7
A Q 4
A K 5 2
K 10 7 4 Table 6 5 3 2
10 8 6 5
Q 9 7
Q 2
1 N → 7
3 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9998. A Q 8 5 3
A 10 4
A 7
A 10 4
K J 7
J 8 6
9 5 4 3
7 3 2 Table 10 9 6 2
Q 5
K Q J 2
K Q 9
1 N → 8
3 NT S → 8 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

9999. 10 6 5 3 2
J
A Q J 5 2
K 3
Q J
Q 10 5 4
K 7 4
A Q 9 2 Table A K 9 8 7
A 8 6
9 3
10 7 4
1 N → 5
2 N → 7 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

10000. A 10 9 6 2
4
A K J 7
A Q 2
K Q J 5
A Q 10 8 6
3
K 9 3 Table 8 7 3
J 5
Q 9 5 4 2
10 7 4
1 N → 7
3 N → 9 4
K 9 7 3 2
10 8 6
J 8 6 5

Simulation 8Z17 Main Top Pass or 1 NT Forcing?

1.	K J 9 7 5 2 A Q 10 6 5 5 7
Q 8 3 8 Q J 9 3 2 A K 4 2		A 10 6 J 4 A K 7 4 Q 10 9 3
1 N → 8 2 N → 10	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

2.	Q 10 8 7 6 5 A J 7 4 3 A Q
A K J Q 8 6 5 K Q 5 10 7 4		9 3 2 J 10 4 A 9 2 K 9 3 2
1 N → 6 3 N → 6	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

3.	K J 9 8 3 A 5 4 A 7 5 3 3
A Q 7 2 J 10 8 9 A 10 7 4 2		10 6 5 Q 6 K Q J 4 2 K Q 9
1 N → 6 2 N → 5	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

4.	K Q 10 6 2 8 A J 9 4 A 9 4
J 8 5 A J 10 5 4 Q 7 5 3 K		A 9 7 3 Q 6 K 2 Q 10 7 3 2
1 N → 6 2 N → 7	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

5.	A K Q 10 7 6 J 8 6 Q 4 7 2
5 3 2 A Q 4 K J 9 3 2 10 3		J 9 8 10 5 A 7 5 A K Q 9 4
1 N → 6 2 N → 6	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

6.	A K Q 6 2 J K Q 7 5 4 9 3
J 10 9 A 8 5 A J 3 A K Q 7		8 7 5 3 Q 10 6 4 9 2 10 4 2
1 N → 7 2 N → 8	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

7.	A 10 8 7 6 5 3 6 A J 2 A 9
K J Q 10 8 K Q 5 3 10 7 4 2		Q 9 2 A J 5 4 9 7 4 K Q 3
1 N → 8 3 N → 8	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

8.	A Q 9 6 3 Q 10 6 5 Q J 9 7
J 10 5 2 A J 4 5 3 2 K Q 4		K 8 7 8 A K 7 4 A 10 9 3 2
1 N → 5 2 N → 8	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

9.	K J 8 7 3 6 Q 3 A Q 10 7 3
A 10 6 5 A 10 4 J 7 4 2 K 9		Q 9 2 Q J 8 5 A K 9 5 4 2
1 N → 4 2 N → 9	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

10.	Q J 10 8 2 8 A K J 9 7 10 2
A K 9 A 10 Q 5 2 A K 7 4 3		7 6 5 3 Q J 6 5 4 4 3 Q 9
1 N → 5 2 N → 8	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

11.	A Q 9 8 7 5 10 8 6 A 4 Q 4
K 10 3 4 K Q 9 7 5 A 10 9 2		J 6 2 A Q J 5 J 3 2 K 7 3
1 N → 6 2 N → 6	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

12.	A K 10 9 6 5 Q 10 A 9 K Q 10
3 2 A J 8 4 K Q J 5 9 4 2		Q J 8 7 6 5 7 4 3 2 A 7 3
1 N → 8 3 NT S → 6	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

13.	A K J 10 9 8 6 Q 10 8 — Q 9 2
5 3 A 6 A Q J 7 5 3 K 10 3		Q 7 2 J 5 4 K 9 4 2 A 7 4
1 N → 9 2 N → 9	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

14.	K Q 10 8 5 6 K 3 A Q 4 3 2
9 7 3 A J 10 9 7 5 2 K 9 7		A J 6 2 Q 8 5 4 A Q J 4 10
1 N → 4 2 N → 8	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

15.	A 9 8 7 6 — A K Q J 5 A 7 4
K Q J 5 A Q J 10 7 2 Q 10 9		10 3 2 8 6 5 4 9 4 3 K 3 2
1 N → 7 3 N → 10	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

16.	A K 10 6 5 3 J 5 5 4 A K 7
J 8 Q 10 4 A K J 9 7 3 10 3		Q 9 7 2 A 8 6 Q 2 Q 9 4 2
1 N → 7 2 N → 7	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

17.	A 10 9 7 5 2 Q 8 4 K 7 A 10
K Q J 8 5 A 4 3 K 7 4 3 2		6 3 A J 10 6 Q J 9 5 2 Q 9
1 N → 6 2 N → 6	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

18.	A J 5 3 2 Q 10 5 K Q 3 2 2
9 8 7 A 6 A 4 K Q 9 7 4 3		K Q 10 6 J 8 4 J 9 7 5 A 10
1 N → 4 2 N → 7	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

19.	K Q J 10 5 8 6 A J 5 3 2 2
A 8 2 5 4 K Q 9 K 10 9 7 3		9 7 6 3 A Q J 10 7 4 A Q 4
1 N → 6 2 N → 9	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

20.	A K Q J 9 7 5 Q 4 A 9 9 3
6 3 2 A 6 J 7 5 3 2 K Q 4		10 8 J 10 8 5 K Q 4 A 10 7 2
1 N → 9 3 N → 9	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

59.	A K Q J 6 2 A 10 8 5 K 3 9
10 9 7 5 3 J 4 Q J 5 10 4 3		8 Q 6 A 9 7 4 2 A K Q 7 2
1 N → 9 4 N → 11	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

362.	K Q 10 8 5 A J 10 5 A K 7 2
A 9 7 6 2 Q 4 2 A K 10 9 3		J 3 8 6 4 Q J 9 7 5 3 Q 4
1 N → 6 4 N → 10	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

419.	10 9 7 5 2 A Q J 10 5 A K Q
A Q 6 6 K Q 9 4 2 A 7 3 2		K J 8 3 8 4 J 7 5 3 10 9 4
1 N → 6 4 N → 11	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

667.	A K Q 7 2 J 5 4 Q 9 A Q 2
9 8 6 5 A 8 6 A K 5 10 7 4		J 10 3 Q 10 J 7 4 3 2 K 9 3
1 N → 7 3 NT S → 5	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

688.	A Q 10 9 5 2 8 4 A 2 A K 3
7 A Q 6 5 K 9 5 4 10 9 7 4		K J 8 6 3 J 10 Q J 7 3 Q 2
1 N → 7 3 NT S → 5	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

727.	K Q J 8 3 2 Q 10 K 2 A K 9
A 9 7 5 6 4 Q J 9 4 7 4 3		10 6 A J 8 5 A 7 5 3 Q 10 2
1 N → 7 3 NT S → 5	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

812.	J 10 9 6 2 A Q J 4 K Q 4 A
A Q 8 7 10 A 9 7 5 3 10 3 2		K 5 3 8 6 5 J 2 K Q 9 7 4
1 N → 6 4 N → 10	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

960.	K J 7 6 5 A J 8 5 A A Q 2
3 Q 10 K Q J 5 4 2 K 9 7 4		A Q 10 9 8 2 6 4 9 7 3 10 3
1 N → 8 4 N → 11	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

1083.	A Q J 10 6 3 A J A 9 2 9 4
2 Q 10 6 K J 5 4 3 A Q 7 3		K 9 8 7 5 8 5 4 Q 7 K 10 2
1 N → 7 3 NT S → 4	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5

1197.	K Q 10 9 7 6 Q 4 A 5 A K 3
8 5 3 A J 8 5 Q 9 7 Q 10 9		A J 2 10 6 K J 4 3 2 7 4 2
1 N → 8 3 NT S → 5	4 K 9 7 3 2 10 8 6 J 8 6 5