Style question, 3rd seat white vs red

[cherdano]

3rd seat, white vs red, you hold Qx Tx AT754 KT92. Do you?

 

(If you use a mixed strategy, please indicate your most likely opening in an important team match.)

[Guest Jlall]

1D against bad players, pass against good players.

[hrothgar]

For me, the most likely opening is 2♦

[jdonn]

I agree pass against good players, in fact this is clear to me. Opening (even 2, but especially 1) makes it easier for the opponents to come in, not harder. And that is certainly the last thing I want.

[whereagles]

A lead-directing 1♣ comes to mind... LOL

[dake50]

I use a 2NT for minors in 3-seat: 4-15 5+C,4+D for just this case -cheat one here.

[Winstonm]

Pass. I try to avoid weak fields.

[Finch]

I try to avoid weak fields.

Very commendable.

How do you do it? The qualification stages of any event in the world always involve at least some weak teams or weak fields.

 

Being able to beat up bunnies is not only a worthwhile skill, it's important even in events such as the Olympiad.

[helene_t]

2♦. (Sorry I thought I had only four diamonds when I first commented).

[SoTired]

This is a weak 2D, if possible. Otherwise, pass.

[Free]

Please include an "other"-option in your polls Cherdano, it's the second poll in a row I read where people suggest easy alternatives which you forgot...

 

2♦

[skjaeran]

I often open light in 3rd seat, but when I do I open a suit I want partner to lead. Here I've no reason to lead direct any suit. So a 1-level opening is out. I don't play weak 2♦ NV, so that's no option for me.

Pass

[pclayton]

I used to open these hands all the time, but it turned out to be rather pointless.

 

If 2N for the minors were available, I'd try that, because I think the jamming I accomplish outweighs the information I pass along.

[Edmunte1]

I'll pass. A10xxx is not a lead director

[Apollo81]

Opening 1♦ may actually help them bid/play the hand.

 

Still as people have pointed out it's the best action against bad players since they tend do to stupider things in competitive auctions than they would otherwise.

[han]

Opening 1♦ may actually help them bid/play the hand.

 

Still as people have pointed out it's the best action against bad players since they tend do to stupider things in competitive auctions than they would otherwise.

Good players also do stupider things in competitive auctions, but fewer stupid things, and they are more likely to take advantage of your 1D bid. But let's not pretend that good players bid as well in competitive auctions as they do in constructive auctions.

[kenrexford]

The title to this is very good -- style.

 

I personally would not open 1♦, for the reason that weak penings in third seat, especially if not particularly preemptive, tend to overstate lead-direction interests. If I did open this hand, I'd open 2♦ because weak twos in third seat are often deemed cruddy and much less reliable as a lead-direction.

 

Heck, on this one, I might even open 3♦, given the right table feel and needs of the event.

[pbleighton]

2D. 1D seems pointless, for the reasons others have pointed out.

 

In my experience, the unassuming 2D preempt can create a lot of problems for opps, even good ones.

 

Peter

[Flame]

I pass, would have open if the 5 card was a major.

[jdonn]

Opening 1♦ may actually help them bid/play the hand.

 

Still as people have pointed out it's the best action against bad players since they tend do to stupider things in competitive auctions than they would otherwise.

Good players also do stupider things in competitive auctions, but fewer stupid things, and they are more likely to take advantage of your 1D bid. But let's not pretend that good players bid as well in competitive auctions as they do in constructive auctions.

The problem to me is you may have just turned a passout into a competitive auction by opening, as a number of hands can overcall that won't open (or double for takeout, or RHO can come back in as passed hand). And when I hold the minors the passout is just fine with me. Combine with the difficulty in partner ever bidding normally if you open on the 1 level on these hands, and the bad chances a preempt will end in some silly 5-1 fit, and my position that pass is clear (except vs players who you think can't handle a bid) remains unchanged.

[marcD]

I do not like this hand but no reason not to open 3♦ (would consider 2♦ if available). 1♦ is not an option. PAss if we are ahead and are trying to avoid swings

[mike777]

Tough I can live with one D or pass.