Winning at Duplicate Competing Over 1NT: Modified Hamilton (MH) Points to Master The objective of bidding over 1NT is to disrupt the opponents 1NT sequence; only in rare cases will you win the auction. !=Alert Applicable Situations a. Opponents open 1NT, strong or weak b. The HCP strength of the Overcaller’s hand is less important than distribution; 8-14 HCP range is typical. Vulnerability plays a key role in determining whether to initiate Modified Hamilton. c. Either Partner may be a passed hand when initiating the MH convention; there is a minor change when initiating MH in Pass Out position. (See below) Overcaller’s Bids in Direct Seat after 1NT Opening X Penalty-oriented, equal value+ 2♣! Diamonds or a Major and a minor [Note 1] 2♦! Both Majors, 5-4+ (may be 4-4 at favorable vulnerability) 2♥ 6 Hearts 2♠ 6 Spades 2N minors, 5-5 3♣/♦ 6-card suit Advancer Bids after Pass by Responder The following cases show which bid Overcaller made: X Pass, except if weak (less than 4 HCP) with 5-card suit, then bid suit at 2-level to play (Stayman and Jacoby Transfers are off) 2♣ 2♦! [Note 2] 2♦ Bid longer Major 2♥ Pass [Notes 3 and 4] 2♥ Pass [Notes 3 and 4] 2N Bid longer minor Notes 1. Overcaller bids 2C! holding either a single-suited hand with 6+cards in Diamonds or a Major and a minor, typically 4-5 or 5-5. 2. If holding 6+Clubs Advancer passes, unless holding a 6+card suit (see below) Advancer makes a 2D! “” allowing Overcaller to clarify hand type. With 6+Diamonds, Overcaller passes; with a Major and a minor, Overcaller bids the Major after the 2D! relay. Advancer passes with 3+cards in the Major otherwise: (a) bids 2S over 2H with a 5-card Spade suit; or (b) bids 2N requesting Overcaller to bid minor. 3. Holding less than 10 Support Points and (a) 3 of the Major, Advancer to the 3-level; (b) holding 4+ of the Major, an unbalanced hand and at favorable vulnerability, preempts to the 4-level. 4. In the rare case where Advancer holds 10+Support Points and 3+cards in the Major, Advancer bids 2NT to show Limit Raise values. Winning at Duplicate Competing Over 1NT: Modified Hamilton (MH)

Advancer Bids after X (“”) by Responder In cases, such as 1N – 2C! – X! – ?, Advancer is no longer required to make the 2D! relay bid. Advancer completes the relay only with 3+Diamonds.

With a 6+card suit of her own, Advancer may instead bid a 6-card suit at the 2-level, with the understanding Overcaller has not promised significant values by her 2C bid and may even have a in Advancer’s suit. Advancer Bids after 2-level bid by Responder In these cases, such as 1N – 2C! – 2H (Transfer to Spades) – ?, Advancer can no longer make the 2D! relay bid. Advancer bids are natural, including double for lead direction. As above, Advancer may bid a 6-card suit at the 2-level.

A double of 2D (transfer to Hearts by Responder), such as 1N – 2C! – 2D – X, indicates 3+Diamonds and is lead directing. It might be made on as little as Axx or KQx of Diamonds, since Overcaller was expecting to either pass or bid over 2D relay. However, with short Hearts, this double should only be made with a strong Diamond suit of 5+cards, as Overcaller may have a Major/minor hand with the Clubs as the minor. Advancer Bids after Redouble by Responder When the bidding has gone 1N – X – XX – ? an Advancer without a 5+card suit must decide to run or stand for the redoubled contract. Generally you want to stand, as some players will XX to get you to remove your Partner’s penalty double of 1NT. Initiating Modified Hamilton in Pass Out Position When the bidding has proceeded 1N – P – P – ?, the convention is on except that Double! is a relay to 2C, showing 6-cards in Clubs. Comparison to Standard Hamilton Modified Hamilton and standard Hamilton share these characteristics: a. Intervene with two-suited hands. b. Double in direct seat retains the penalty orientation. c. Works equally well over weak or strong 1NT openings. d. The intervening side can play in 2D in certain sequences.

Modified Hamilton has these additional advantages over standard: a. When the opponents continue to bid over the 2C! amorphous call, they do not know which hand type or suits the Overcaller has. b. With single-suited hands, 2H and 2S are bid immediately providing more preemptive value than going through the 2C! relay to show the suit. c. Advancer can advance a before Opener has the chance to re-open the bidding. d. The intervening side can play in 2C in two sequences.