By Mike Savage
Here is a simple tweak to increase the
efficacy of Cappelletti/Hamilton
in the pass-out seat – use Double to show the one-suited hand and 2C to show
both minors. When you are in the balancing seat, after passing originally or
even as a non-passed hand, you almost never will want to make a penalty double
of a strong 1NT (or even after a weak 1NT when you’re a passed hand). If you
have already passed, you obviously couldn’t have a penalty double all by
yourself and if you are a non-passed hand and your left-hand opponent has
opened a strong 1NT, his high-card points would be right behind yours – and besides partner wouldn’t have a clue as
to which suit to lead. So why use the double for a bid that you probably would
never make – a penalty double?
A
much better usage for the double in the pass-out seat would be to use the
double to show a one-suited hand – instead of using the regular Cappelletti/Hamilton
2C bid for that purpose. Playing this would enable you to play in clubs
at the two-level instead of the three-level. Using the double for the
one-suited hand would also free up 2C to show a two-suited hand in the minors
and enable your partner be able to pick his best minor at the two-level
- as opposed to having to pick his best minor at the three-level over 2NT,
using standard Cappelletti/Hamilton.
Since you would virtually “never” double 1NT for penalty in the pass-out seat, using it for another purpose has got to be an improvement. The meanings of 2D, 2H and 2S would still remain the same as in standard Cappelletti/Hamilton.
Here is Balancing Cappelletti/Hamilton in the pass out seat (modifications in red):
1NT-P-P: (Exception:
in 4th seat
after a weak 1NT opener and you are not a passed hand,
the double should be for penalties).
Dbl: Shows a one-suited
hand; partner is asked to bid 2C – then the doubler will pass or
correct to his suit Your partner
might also choose to pass the double with a balanced
opening hand or better.
2C: Shows both minors; partner should pick his best
minor fit by passing or bidding 2D.
2D: Shows both majors; partner is asked to pick his best major fit at the
appropriate level.
2H: Shows Hearts and an unknown minor; your partner is asked to pass or
raise with a
heart fit but with heart shortness
and support for both minors, he should bid 2NT,
asking for your minor.
2S: Shows
Spades and an unknown minor; your partner is asked to pass or raise with a
spade fit but with spade shortness and support for both
minors, he should bid 2NT,
asking for your minor.
2NT: Shows a very strong minor 2-suited hand, looking for
game, even after a strong NT.