Partner opens 1NT (16 to 18 pts).  When you have 10 points, you certainly want to be in game somewhere.  An 8-point hand is sufficient to invite to game; and when  partner has more than his minimum 16 points, he may take you up on the invitation.  But what to do with a 9-point hand (9 plus a minimum 16 is a bit light)?  Here you have a close call.

Not all 9-point hands are equal, so when is it 9 minus and when is it 9 plus.  The point of course is that when you have a good nine, game is a worthy endeavor.  So game  or no, that is the question!

 

·  Flatness, 4-3-3-3, is not good.  It is so bad that you rarely make 3NT with 9 points and this distribution opposite a 16-point minimum.

 

·  With more shape and a 4-4 major, game may be worth bidding.  Thus with 4-4-3-2, 4-4-4-1, etc. you may use Stayman to find a 4-4 fit.  If you find it, go for game; if not, stop at 2NT. 

 

·  What about 10s and 9s. Are they not worth extra?  Yes often they are, especially in sequences like Q-J-10, K-10-9, or J-10-9.  They are even better in a four-card suit, such as Q-10-8-2 or 10-9-8-5.

 

·  Statisticians tells us aces are worth somewhat more than 4 points each.  So with a couple of them, take the chance on game.

 

·  The most underrated holding for a notrump contract is a good five-card suit - that is one containing three or more high-card points, Q-J-x-x-x or better.  Bid the game with a hand of nine points and a good five-card suit.
 
Note: This topic was stimulated by a similar one by Zeke Jabbour published in the ACBL Bridge Bulletin.  Jabbour is one of the most entertaining if not the best bridge writer around.