[Swammerdam]

I love to open 1NT, and love it when partner opens 1NT. Do others feel the same way? With Stayman and Jacoby the subsequent auction will usually be straightforward and well-directed. Since the 1NT opening often leads so easily to the best contract, I might even like to make the 15 to 17 range slightly broader. I just can't decide between 14+ to 17 or 15 to 18-.

Long ago my friends and I experimented with weak NT. Not just 11-14, but 9-12 ! A problem was that the Stayman/Jacoby tools were lost as enemy interference became more common. It's just Strong NT for me today.

I played bridge long ago; then took a multi-decade hiatus before joining BBO. Invention of new conventions was active then, but most bidding today is familiar to me. PURE Sayc (defined circa 1990?) is almost exactly what was common in San Fran area circa 1970 ... but "Sayc" as defined now at BBO is *not* 1990 Sayc.

One difference is that half a century ago most bridge was rubber bridge played for money. For many of us the monetary stakes were relatively small, but it was still total point scoring, and taken seriously. Go set 1100 and you just get a bottom board at BBO, but playing for money, partner will be throwing things at you!! :-)

I think this may explain why overcalls are MUCH looser today than they were in the olden days. Open a strong 1 NT back then and you can expect the opponents to be too intimidated to do anything but Pass, but at BBO one finds some players happy to jump in with a suit like K9xxx !

So I have a comment and a question about bidding after our side's 1NT has been overcalled.

My comment is that *Jacoby should be OFF*. Can we have a show of hands on this please? Bid the enemy's suit if you want to ask about major(s).

My question is about Doubles. If partner's 1NT is overcalled, is my Double for Penalties? That's how I treat it, but do want to know what's best.
(If the overcall is followed by Pass Pass, the 1NT opener will uually Pass also, but I suppose his Double would be for take-out, right?)