DISHPANS, Geneva, McGuinty, Plaus and Parker Versus 1NT

The Geneva Convention

The Geneva conventional defence against a 1NT opening bid begins with the presumption that our purpose for overcalling varies with the strength of the 1NT opening bid itself. Our ambition against a strong 1NT is primarily to dislodge the opponents from their best matchpoint spot at a minimalized risk while, perhaps, making it difficult for the enemy to find its best strain. Against a weak 1NT, we may be interested in bidding constructively and would also like to retain the option of penalizing the opening side.

It follows logically that, since our goals are different, our methods, too, should vary. The Geneva Convention, then, may involve choosing from one of the three following methods of dealing with the strong 1NT (McGuinty, Plaus or Parker) while playing Geneva against a weak 1NT opening. The partnership, then, will play "McGuinty Geneva", "Plaus Geneva" or "Parker Geneva". "DISHPANS" is a solid alternative to McGuinty against strong 1NTs.

McGuinty Versus a Strong 1NT

One of the simplest and most effective methods of dealing with the opponent's strong 1NT opening is McGuinty, named after the Phillip McGuinty of Canadian bridge lore. With the most common hand type, the 1-suiter, Overcaller simply bids naturally. This precludes Opener's partner ("Responder") from making any "free" point-showing double or redouble which might land overcallers in hot water. It also allows Overcaller to make a lead-directing bid before Responder starts leaping to the stratosphere.

A 2- or 3-suited Overcaller can double the strong 1NT for takeout. The Overcaller's partner ("Advancer") will bid hir cheapest 3-card suit as the pair scrambles to a fit. The partnership may not always find it's BEST fit via this method, but it will be able to compete with a modicum of safety.

STRONG 1NT
Double
 2- or 3-suited hand. Takeout.
STRONG 1NT
2C
 Clubs.
STRONG 1NT
2D
 Diamonds.
STRONG 1NT
2H
 Hearts.
STRONG 1NT
2S
 Spades.
STRONG 1NT
2NT
 The Minors.


McGuinty versus DONT
 DONT doubles to show any 1-suiter. McGuinty has the advantage of not exposing the one-suited overcaller to a point-showing redouble which can land the defensive bidders in hot water. Also, if Responder jumps to game in a suit Advancer will not have to guess what to lead. While DONT is quicker at defining 2-suiters, it makes no allowance for 3-suiters.

McGuinty versus CAPP
 CAPP bids 2C to show any 1-suiter. McGuinty defines the 1-suiter much quicker and without going to the 3-level with Clubs or exposing the 1-suited overcaller to a "free" double of the artificial 2C. Again, CAPP is slightly more efficient at showing some 2-suiters but cannot handle 3-suiters. The CAPP method of bidding 2-of-a-major with major-minor 2-suiters precludes safe discovery of many minor fits.

Plaus Versus a Strong 1NT

Plaus employs transfers to show the overcaller's red suit, bidding Spades directly and doubling to show Clubs. A 2H overcall shows the majors.

STRONG 1NT
Double
 Clubs. May have a second suit.
STRONG 1NT
2C
 Diamonds. May also have a major.
STRONG 1NT
2D
 Hearts. May have a second suit.
STRONG 1NT
2H
 The majors.
STRONG 1NT
2S
 Spades only.
STRONG 1NT
2NT
 The Minors.

Simple, yes, but quite effective.

Plaus versus DONT
 The Plaus double and its 2C and 2D transfers expose the partnership to the same dangers as the DONT double. But Plaus has the advantage of guaranteeing Overcaller a rebid. It also leaves the unknown (i.e. Advancer's) hand on play. DONT allows the 2-suited Overcaller to play in two of the lower ranked suit. By transferring into the longer suit first, Plaus is better at bidding the 4-5+ 2-suiters.

Plaus versus CAPP
 No contest here. The CAPP 2C overcall on any 1-suiter is very poor: maximum risk for minimum disclosure of information. The Plaus 2H is a much safer method of showing the majors than the CAPP 2D. The CAPP 2-of-a-major, showing that suit and a minor, leaves Advancer wondering which minor Overcaller has. Will it be worth risking the 3-level?

Parker Versus a Strong 1NT

Parker uses natural overcalls of 2S, 2H and 2D. A 2C overcall shows Clubs and a red suit. A double shows either Clubs (with or without Spades as well) or a 2- or 3-suited hand which does not include Clubs. Advancer removes this double to 2C, which Doubler either passes (Clubs only) or removes to hir cheapest suit: 2D (Diamonds and a major), 2H (the majors) or 2S (the Blacks).

STRONG 1NT
Double
 Clubs (and maybe Spades) or a 2- or 3-suiter without Clubs.
STRONG 1NT
2C
 Clubs and one or more higher ranked suit(s).
STRONG 1NT
2D
 Diamonds.
STRONG 1NT
2H
 Hearts.
STRONG 1NT
2S
 Spades.
STRONG 1NT
2NT
 The Minors.

One final refinement to Parker: with both Black suits one doubles and rebids 2S with superior Spades, bidding 2C directly (and 2S later, if asked) with superior Clubs.

You will notice that Parker, in essence, reverses the meaning of the DONT double versus an overcall. This, coupled with Parker's reliance upon the natural Direct Overcall of 2D, 2H and 2S gives Parker its alternate nickname, "DO".

Parker versus DONT
 For the most part, Parker prefers to bid the 1-suiters directly and the 2-suiters indirectly. This is a slight advantage owing to the greater frequency of 1-suiters and "lop-sided" (e.g. 4-5+ with a weak 4-carder) 2-suiters that may be treated as 1-suiters. While the Parker double has a number of meanings it is less ambiguous than the DONT double.

Parker versus CAPP
 Again, no contest. Parker bids its 1-suiters quicker and safer. 2-suited overcallers can always show the minor suit at the two-level with Parker, never with CAPP. And, finally, Parker can deal with 3-suiters, which CAPP cannot. The only advantage of CAPP is that major 2-suiters are shown one round earlier than with Parker.

Geneva Versus a Weak 1NT

Playing against a weak 1NT our priorities change. Now we must retain a double for penalty--often based on a good hand with minor suit length. And we are not so quick to discount the possibility of our side being able to make game, especially in a major suit. Towards this end, regardless of whether we play McGuinty, Plaus or Parker against a strong 1NT, versus a weak 1NT we will see:

Weak 1NT 2C 5+ Hearts. May have 4+ Spades if holding 15+ HCPs.
Weak 1NT 2D 5+ Spades, 8+ HCPs with a minor, 11+ if 1-suited, or 15+ if holding 4+ Hearts.
Weak 1NT 2H The majors, 8-14 HCPs.
Weak 1NT 2S Spades only, 8-10 HCPs.
Weak 1NT 2NT The Minors, 8-12 HCPs.
Weak 1NT 3C Clubs, 8-12 HCPs.
Weak 1NT 3D Diamonds, 8-12 HCPs.

In the case of the 2-level suit overcalls of the weak 1NT, Advancer can proceed with a promising hand by requesting further information from Overcaller. Here is a chart of the investigatory replies and Overcaller's possible rebids after the opponents have opened a weak 1NT:

2C------ -- 5+ Hearts. May have 4+ Spades if holding 15+ HCPs.
Now: 2D -- ---- Asks for a second suit.
-- Now: 2H-- -- Denies a second suit. 8-12 HCPs.
-- -- 2S-- -- 4+ Spades with better Hearts, 15-17 HCPs.
-- -- 2NT---- Lebensohl, forcing 3C from Advancer.
-- -- Now:3C-- "What kind of hand do you have, partner?"
-- -- --Now:Pass 8-11 HCPs with 4+ Clubs.
-- -- ----3D 8-11 HCPs with 4+ Diamonds.
-- -- ----3H 13-16 HCPs, 1-suited.
-- -- ----3S 18-19 HCPs with 4+ Spades and superior Hearts.
-- -- 3C-- -- 4+ Clubs, 12-16 HCPs.
-- -- 3D-- -- 4+ Diamonds, 12-16 HCPs.
-- -- 3H-- -- 17-19 HCPs, 1-suited.
-- -- 3S-- -- 20+ HCPs with 5+ Spades and superior Hearts.
2D------ -- 5+ Spades. May have 4+ Hearts if holding 15+ HCPs.
Now: 2H -- ---- Asks for a second suit.
-- -- 2S-- -- Spades only, 11-14 HCPs.
-- -- 2NT---- Lebensohl, forcing 3C from Advancer.
-- -- Now:3C-- "What kind of hand do you have, partner?"
-- -- --Now:Pass 8-11 HCPs with 4+ Clubs.
-- -- ----3D 8-11 HCPs with 4+ Diamonds.
-- -- ----3H 15-17 HCPs with 4+ Hearts and superior Spades.
-- -- ----3S 13-16 HCPs, 1-suited.
-- -- 3C-- -- 4+ Clubs, 12-16 HCPs.
-- -- 3D-- -- 4+ Diamonds, 12-16 HCPs.
-- -- 3H-- -- 4+ Hearts with superior Spades, 15-17 HCPs.
-- -- 3S-- -- 17-19 HCPs, 1-suited.
2H------ -- The majors, 8-12 HCPs.
Now: 2NT -- ---- Asks for Overcaller's better minor.
2S------ -- Spades only, 8-10 HCPs.
Now: 2NT -- ---- Asks for Overcaller's second best suit.
2NT------ -- The Minors, 8-12 HCPs.
3C------ -- Clubs, 8-12 HCPs.
3D------ -- Diamonds, 8-12 HCPs.

In this way the Overcaller's hand is quickly limited--especially when showing major suit length.

Geneva versus DONT
 We begin by conceding that a comparison between DONT and Geneva is hardly fair: DONT was designed for use against a strong 1NT. The absence of a penalty double eliminates DONT from serious consideration here. Also, the practice of bidding the lower ranked suit backfires here, making it difficult for the partnership to find its major suit fits when a part score--or even a game--may well make.

Geneva versus CAPP
 Capp's one advantage over Geneva is its popularity. Geneva's "South African Transfer" style approach "guarantees" that Overcaller, with a strong hand and major suit(s) length, will be able to show the major(s) and still have a chance to rebid--in case the overcalling side has enough for game. At the same time, a weaker Overcaller can reveal the major suit length without unduly exciting Advancer.

DISHPANS Versus a Strong 1NT

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As the acronym suggests, DISHPANS is very simple: over the opponents' STRONG 1NT, Double Indicates Spades, Hearts Preferred After New Suits. In other words, if you do NOT double their 1NT and make a call LOWER than 2S, you show HEARTS. After 1NT-Dble, Advancer is expected to remove to 2C unless Advancer has 5+ Spades or considerable length in the red suits.

STRONG 1NT
Double
 3 or more Spades
STRONG 1NT
2C
 Clubs and 3 or more Hearts.
STRONG 1NT
2D
 Diamonds and 3 or more Hearts.
STRONG 1NT
2H
 Hearts.
STRONG 1NT
2S
 Spades.
STRONG 1NT
2NT
 The Minors.

---
---
1NT
Double
 3 or more Spades
Pass
2C
Pass
2D
 Diamonds and 3 or more Spades.

---
---
1NT
2D
 Diamonds and 3 or more Hearts.

---
---
1NT
Double
 3 or more Spades
Pass
2D
---
---
 5+ Diamonds. 0-2 Clubs.

Spades, then, can be shown in TWO ways, directly and after doubling. The LATTER promises a MINOR.

---
---
1NT
2S
 5 or more Spades; usually 1-suited.

---
---
1NT
Double
 3 or more Spades
Pass
2C
Pass
2S
 5+ Spades and an unspecified minor.

When Doubler rebids 2S, Spades are assumed to be substantial. If the minor were superior, we might Pass Partner's 2C removal or correct to Diamonds. In fact, this is the "raison d'etre" for DISHPANS: while good majors can be bid directly (e.g. 1NT-2H or 1NT-2S), we need a way to show a good MINOR suit. We do so in a way which defines Overcaller's preference in the majors, in case Advancer has length in the "correct" major.

Question: "Preference? Does this mean that a double doesn't show 4+ Spades? Or that 2C and 2D overcalls don't promise 4+ Hearts?"

Answer: Precisely. A double shows 3+ Spades, while 2C and 2D OFTEN show 3 Hearts and would only be bid with FIVE Hearts if the Hearts are weak. A double followed by 2H always 4+ cards in BOTH majors.

---
---
1NT
Double
 3 or more Spades
Pass
2C
Pass
2H
 4 or more cards in each major.

---
---
1NT
2C
 4+ good Clubs and 3+ Hearts.

Only with a 6-card minor and 2-2 in the majors (or less) do we need to JUMP to 3C or 3D over 1NT to show that minor.

---
---
1NT
3C
 6+ good Clubs and 0-2 in each major.

Drawbacks of DISHPANS Versus McGuinty

The most striking deficiency of DISHPANS is that there is no way to show Hearts and an inferior minor. 1NT-2H shows Hearts only.

Another disadvantage of DISHPANS is that there is no way to show a THREE suited hand.

A third problem with DISHPANS is that when Spades are our better major we are showing the minor SLOWLY. We are susceptible to Responder bidding a higher ranked suit before we can get in our minor for lead direction. For this reason, if our majors are equal (say, 3-3 in the majors) we tend to treat HEARTS as our preference and bid the strong minor directly.

Advantages of DISHPANS Over McGuinty

The major advantage of DISHPANS over McGuinty comes in the SAFETY factor. Advancer KNOWS what major is SAFE to scurry to and which major might NOT be. After 1NT-2C-Dble Advancer can bid 2H with as few as four if Advancer has 0-1 Club.

The second most important advantage to DISHPANS becomes evident whenever Advancer happens to have 5+cards in the "preferred" major. In showing hir minor, Overcaller enables the partnership to find a 5-3 or better fit in the major if such a fit exists.

The third case where DISHPANS *may* work out better than McGuinty derives from the fact that with 5+ GOOD Spades and a weakish minor we might just bid 2S and "bury" the minor, in case Responder is able to bid 4H immediately. This being the case, after 1NT-Dble-4H, Doubler's partner should be inclined to lead hir shorter MINOR, expecting that to be Doubler's real suit, without revealing it to the opponents. This may backfire if the opponents have a massive double fit, of course.

Responsive Doubles After DISHPANS

If the opponents bid the "unpreferred" major any double by Advancer up to and including 4H is Responsive, asking Partner to bid hir long suit and showing FOUR cards in the "preferred" major. 1NT-Dble-4H-Dble, then, shows 4 Spades and 3+ cards in both minors, suggesting sacrifice. As always, 4NT over their 4S is takeout.

---
---
1NT
2D
 5+ Diamonds and 3+ Hearts.
4S
4NT
---
---
 4 Hearts and 3+ Diamonds.

In this way, Advancer caters to the possibility that we can play in the preferred major or, perhaps, even the unbid minor. In the above auction (1NT-2D-4S-4NT), for example, Advancer may be 1=4=3=5.