4th seat...

[gwnn]

Axxx

JT9

x

AJ8xx

 

all vulnerable, normal openers, 4th seat, imps.

[rogerclee]

I would open, but this is pretty close to a pass for me.

 

I think that if I open, this will likely be a part score battle, and we will usually get the better of it. I think there are also more hands where we will make 4♠ than hands where they will make 4♥.

[fromageGB]

The classic rule of 14 (points plus spade length) says you should open. I'd be delighted to open on this, you have a perfect hand and can take any bid from partner.

[han]

The classic rule of 14 (points plus spade length) says you should open.

Classic rule of 14? :)

 

If Csaba was reading this thread he would point out that such a question depends on partner's opening style and also on the opponents. I like the hand and would likely open.

[bill1157]

A weak 2 clubs would be ideal here!

 

Bill

[655321]

Open.

[han]

A weak 2 clubs would be ideal here!

 

Bill

Yeah.

 

Wait, no it wouldn't, we've got 4 spades!

[gwnn]

The classic rule of 14 (points plus spade length) says you should open.

Classic rule of 14? :)

 

If Csaba was reading this thread he would point out that such a question depends on partner's opening style and also on the opponents. I like the hand and would likely open.

except csaba has already pointed out that openers are normal?

[hotShot]

This is 10 HCP and partners share of 30HCP/3 is about the same.

Assuming that partner or opps would have preempted with a long suit or opened a reasonable 2-suiter with 10-11 HCP everybody else seems to be balanced or semibalanced.

I can win or lose up to 3 IMPs by bidding, missing game is unlikely.

 

I would pass unless I need to generate a swing (one way or the other).

[kenrexford]

A weak 2 clubs would be ideal here!

 

Bill

Yeah.

 

Wait, no it wouldn't, we've got 4 spades!

This is a classic hand for an intermediate 2♣ opening, showing 4315 pattern and 14 FromageGB points, though.

[jtfanclub]

Meh. Throw it in.

 

I'm not real impressed by Axxx as a trump suit. My partner knows how to evaluate hands. I'm betting we get this mighty hand in 2♠ with Axxx across Qxx, and we end up going down 1.

[fromageGB]

2♠ with Axxx across Qxx, and we end up going down 1.

Impossible with any normal bidding. 1♠ maybe.

Sure, partner knows how to evaluate hands, but how is he going to evaluate your 8 card major fit when you pass?

 

2♣ = 4315 and 14 fromage points.

Brilliant system you have Ken !

Fromage points notwithstanding, I wouldn't argue with pass at IMPS. But a definite 1♣ at matchpoints.

[jtfanclub]

Impossible with any normal bidding. 1♠ maybe.

Sure, partner knows how to evaluate hands, but how is he going to evaluate your 8 card major fit when you pass?

Oh, something like....

 

1♣-P-1♦-P

1♠-P-P-X

-P--2♥

 

Where your partner has several unpalatable choices.

 

If you have an 8 card spade fit, they'll probably bid 3 of a red and then you'll have to decide whether to go on or not. This hand looks 50-50 to me, and the spade suit isn't good enough for suit dominance.

 

I suppose it doesn't matter in a long team match, but in a pairs game or Swiss or suchlike, I can use the break to refocus and improve on later hands.

[han]

The classic rule of 14 (points plus spade length) says you should open.

Classic rule of 14? :rolleyes:

 

If Csaba was reading this thread he would point out that such a question depends on partner's opening style and also on the opponents. I like the hand and would likely open.

except csaba has already pointed out that openers are normal?

Stop making me look like a fool please.

[Sambolino]

i'd open with delight

[neilkaz]

10 HCP, 2 aces, 4♠, maybe useful JT9 in ♥ and decent distribution makes me suspect that we are at least slight favorites on this hand so I will open 1♣

[Guest Jlall]

open this against anyone, you have the majors and a prime hand.

[matmat]

Stop making me look like a fool please.

you don't need any help with that, H.

[NickRW]

10hcp, 4 controls, 5431 shape and no problem with your rebid in any normal system over the likely 1 red response = I'd open this any seat, never mind fourth.

 

Nick

[kenrexford]

The classic rule of 14 (points plus spade length) says you should open.

Classic rule of 14? :blink:

 

If Csaba was reading this thread he would point out that such a question depends on partner's opening style and also on the opponents. I like the hand and would likely open.

except csaba has already pointed out that openers are normal?

Stop making me look like a fool please.

Yeah, han does that well enough on his own, dammit! LOLOLOL

[pclayton]

I would open, although I would feel a little queasy as I set down this dummy in 2N.

[gwnn]

I opened, partner played 2♥ in a 4-3 and went down 1 (he might have made it), 3♦ by opps was ice cold.

[NickRW]

You don't sound convinced about our advice to open this hand!

 

It is true that there will be some hands that don't work out too well, but I ran a sim on this one and the majority of hands look like being some sort of plus for NS with quite a number of games in the mix too.

 

Nick

[the hog]

I'd pass.

 

I think Fromage points are a bit cheesy. By the way, he has it wromg anyway, its 15 not 14 casino points, (or Pearson as some call them), that are needed for an opening.

[NickRW]

I'd pass.

 

I think Fromage points are a bit cheesy. By the way, he has it wromg anyway, its 15 not 14 casino points, (or Pearson as some call them), that are needed for an opening.

Its cansino, with an "N". After Jonathan Cansino who died less than 2 years ago and whose bridge career was cut short in '73 at the age of 34 or so when he suffered from a brain tumour.

 

I don't know where 15 points came from. I read about this count in the 70s and it was 14 points back then. It seems that modern bidders are getting more conservative.