Smith Echo

Cappelletti

Against the opponent’s 1NT opening, many players like DONT because it offers the easiest way to get into the auction. However, DONT does sacrifice the possibility of doubling their 1NT for a penalty. Cappelletti, on the other hand, is less efficient in getting our side’s suits (or suit) into the auction, but at least it does retain the penalty option.

For this reason, some pairs play Cappelletti against a Weak NT and DONT against a Strong NT. Is there a formal definition of “weak” and “strong”? Yes, there are several, and our suggestion is:

It’s a strong NT if 16 is part of the range.

So, for example, 13-15 is weak, 14-16 is strong.

There are many variations to this convention, and also a few claimants to its authorship or to amendments (Hamilton, Pottage, Helms).

Basic Convention

Your RHO opponent opens 1NT, this is what you do:

Dbl A good hand, ostensibly a Penalty Double, something at the top of their

range or better. Partner passes or bails out, depending on his hand.

2♣ An unspecified one-suiter. Now, Partner usually bids 2♦, allowing us to

show our suit, but he does have two other options:

- With a long (6+) suit of his own he can bypass the relay and show his own suit

- With an invitational hand (let’s say 11+) he can bid 2NT to say “Maybe we have game, and I have tolerance for all suits”

2♦ The majors. Now a jump by Partner to 3♥ or 3♠ is invitational.

2♥ Hearts and a minor. Now Partner can pass, or bid 2NT to escape into

your minor. But, if Partner raises to 3♥ he shows constructive values (say

the equivalent of a poor limit raise opposite a 1♥ or 1♠ opening, and, if

Partner bids 2NT (ostensibly asking for the minor) and then bids 3♥ that is

a raise in the 11-12 range.

2♠ Spades and a minor, same follow-up.

2NT The minors, Partner picks one.

3X Preemptive.

Those are the basics, here are some more points:

- Don’t double unless you have a good lead to make. Avoid the 15- or 16-count hands, riddled with tenaces, and from which any long-suit lead is likely to blow a trick.

- If you are in the balancing seat (and not a passed hand), play the same methods,

it makes life so much simpler.

- If you are a passed hand, then the Double can usefully be employed to show a

Club one-suiter.

Defense to Cappelletti

We open 1NT, they make a Cappelletti bid, here’s what we do against their various bids:

They double: If you already have a runout system then feel free to use it. Otherwise, we suggest that you simply play “systems on”, including Stayman and Jacoby Transfers, with a Redouble showing a good hand (in other words, good enough to say “I think their Double was a mistake”)

They bid 2♣: Again the easy approach is to play “systems on” with Double as Stayman.

They bid 2♦: You could play Double as showing Diamonds, but a more common approach is for this to say “I can double at least one of their suits”, encouraging Partner to double with a suitable hand.

They bid 2♥ or 2♠: A penalty double. Other bids can be in the Lebensohl-style.

They bid 2NT: Double says “I will double at least one of their minor suits”, thereby inviting Opener to the party if he has a suitable doubling hand. What about 3♣ or 3♦ in this situation? Clearly not natural, so how about “3♣ is game-invitational Stayman”, and “3♦ is game-forcing Stayman”?

They preempt with 3 of a suit: The easy solution is that Doubles are penalty and new suits are forcing, but some prefer that the Double be take-out. Take your pick.

Modified Cappelletti

Perhaps the major defect of Cappelletti is that prevents us from bidding a direct 2♥ or 2♠ naturally. With a major one-suiter we have to bid 2♣ first, and that gives the opponents more space in which to maneuver. Bidding 2♥ or 2♠ naturally and immediately is more preemptive. With that in mind, here is Modified Cappelletti:

Dbl Good hand, as before

2♣ Either a Diamond one-suiter or a major-minor two-suiter

2♦ Both majors, as before

2♥ Heart one-suiter

2♠ Spade one-suiter

2NT Minors, as before