Opening

[mike777]

I guess I better try and defend my 2H bid. ;)

 

Since I prefer very sound openings with most but not all partners, my weak 2 bids can often be pretty good hands. In fact they can often be two suited.

 

Sure if playing junky openings I would open 1H but otherwise if playing super sound openings I think 2H is fine here. Yes, that would mean playing super sound openings 1H would show more defense.

[awm]

Clearly the right answer is to open 3NT, showing a weak hand with 6+♥ and a 5+minor. Yes I actually do play this in several partnerships. ;)

 

Realistically I like 3♥ with this hand. Bidding 4♥ seems a bid too unilateral -- if we don't have a good heart fit I could easily go for a number (and I'll be on a guess whether to pull to diamonds if we get doubled). The 2♥ bid seems too heavy, after all you have good play for game opposite something like xxx Kx Axx xxxxx and while that's very well-fitting cards, partner probably won't bid over 2♥ even with another ace.

 

As for 1♥, I've had a lot of bad results (and seen a lot of bad results) opening hands like this at the one-level. The issue is that when you have a fit, the one-level opening basically invites the opponents into the bidding. They can overcall quite cheaply over 1♥, unlike 2♥ or 3♥ or even pass (since most people play sounder openings than overcalls). When you don't have a fit you invite partner to hang you.

[pbleighton]

"Since I prefer very sound openings with most but not all partners, my weak 2 bids can often be pretty good hands. In fact they can often be two suited.

 

Sure if playing junky openings I would open 1H but otherwise if playing super sound openings I think 2H is fine here. Yes, that would mean playing super sound openings 1H would show more defense."

 

Mike, what are the best and worst hands you'd open 2H with 2nd seat not vul?

 

Assume a 6331 shape.

 

Peter

[mike777]

"Since I prefer very sound openings with most but not all partners, my weak 2 bids can often be pretty good hands. In fact they can often be two suited.

 

Sure if playing junky openings I would open 1H but otherwise if playing super sound openings I think 2H is fine here. Yes, that would mean playing super sound openings 1H would show more defense."

 

Mike, what are the best and worst hands you'd open 2H with 2nd seat not vul?

 

Assume a 6331 shape.

 

Peter

Playing with my reg pard and junky openings 2h both nv would be 5 playing tricks, at fav vul, 4 playing tricks, maybe at times less. This example hand 6-5 is an easy 1H opener, in fact I would open 1H on far less.

 

With 6331 shape...playing super sound openings about 8-12 hcp I guess, maybe a bit less at fav vul.

 

How do you play them Peter with your reg pard or a p/u?

[the hog]

Personal preference would be a conventional 2 suited opening if that bid was available. Failing that 3H in 2nd seat. In first or third seat 4H would be my choice.

[willow23]

I would open 1♥ using the rule of 20: add the hcp in the hand and the tength of the two longers suits.

 

Therefore, 9 hcp in the hand and 11 in length equals 20 [6♥+5 ♦= 11 (two longest suits)]

 

Points schmoints..:P Lovely hand :P