5-8 in the Reds

[TimG]

Interesting that a couple of people have suggested 6♦, but in a recent thread where we were faced with a 6♣ opening, no one mentioned the possibility of a 5-8 hand.

What thread was that? I must have missed that one.

This one.

 

Notice that if you switch opener's minors on the first hand from that thread, this hand could be opposite.

[inquiry]

If partner is playing MisIry with me, I would open 2NT , which is either a club preempt, or strong two suiter that includes hearts (thus ♥+♠, or ♥+♦).

 

Not allowed to play MisIry and with RHO already passing, I would open 1♦, Over 4♠ by the oppoenent, or similiar, I plan to bid 4NT or similiar and pull clubs back to diamonds. Life is easier with a MisIry opening bid.

[TimG]

Interesting that a couple of people have suggested 6♦, but in a recent thread where we were faced with a 6♣ opening, no one mentioned the possibility of a 5-8 hand.

Yes and no...

 

Justin did mention that he would pass a 6♣ opening opposite me and I was one of the folks who gave consideration to a 6♦ opening.

I didn't understand Justin's comment to be reference to a 58 hand. I thought he was referring to your game theory influenced tendency to make "either or" preempts (let the opponents guess whether or not I intend to make).

 

I suggested a 49 hand in the other thread, which I suppose is pretty close to 58.

[kfay]

1♦

 

I held a 5-8 hand once. Opening at the 1-level got me to the right place doubled... but then I F'ed up the play.

 

Deja vu?

[ArtK78]

I open 1♦. I don't know if we are going to get into a situation where input from partner is relevant, but at least I want him to know that I have some real cards, not just strong distribution, when I start bidding at the 12 level.

[Fluffy]

After a likely auction 2♣-2♦-4♦ setting trump......

Come on, I admit it is remotelly possible, but likelly? you've got 2 voids mate, you don't expect someone to have a good suit?

[pclayton]

1♦. I'm deluding myself that I can bid a good 7 or stay out of a bad 6.

 

Frankly, playing pard for one specific card and shutting out a sac via 6♦ is a reasonable approach. I just cant bring myself to do it.

[neilkaz]

Thx for the great replies, everyone. After some thought I decided that a great 8 carder was trumps and that I should preempt this freak having only 12 HCP. I felt that PD would agree that a 5♦ opening in first seat Red vs White is basically bidding to make, with a desire to shut out the opps due to freakish distribution. Thus I'd expect he'd raise on some hands where 6 is cold.

 

Well PD held ♠QJx ♥ J987xx ♦void ♣ AKJx and slam was cold, but in ♥ which should come as no surprise.

 

5♦ was passed out as suspected and I score up my 600.

 

In the closed room the auction was different and cost the opps the match. They opened 1♦ followed by 3♠ from nv LHO and 4♥ from PD, then a routine 4♠ raise from RHO. Now the player in my seat jumped to 7♥X -1 off the ace of trumps. Perhaps he could've bid 5NT but most now play that as choice of slam, perhaps 5♠ as exclusion and then bid the grand only if PD has both aces.

 

Anyhow, based up consideration that ♥ could easily be playable and 5♦ could even have me missing slams. I feel that I should've opened 1♦, noting that my likely 11 trick hand can rebid later at a very high level if the opps, as seems nearly certain, get high in a Black suit. However, based on the expected preemption, I am not terribly likely to be able to find out everything I need for slam or grand after 1♦.

 

.. neilkaz ..