- T9xxxxx xx AJxx

[Elianna]

Partner knows that you are aggressive (ie, knows you aren't Adam or Mike777), but you did not have a specific discussion about what suit quality you must have.

 

Or if you prefer, you can answer the question, "what would you like to be able to bid, if partnership standards were not an issue?"

 

In other words, this should be very quick, I'm just curious what the rest of the forums think about this hand. Don't take a lot of time, it's not a real problem.

[Echognome]

All white I'm opening 4♥ with the good shape.

[655321]

4♥

[jdonn]

So the question is what would I open if partner would expect a hand like this for that opening? Then 4♥ at only this vul, 3 at any other.

 

Edit: I misremembered the vul as w/r. So 3♥ in the given problem, 4 just at w/r.

[mikeh]

pass

 

I know, I am revealing my age, but I would open this only at favourable or at mps if white.

[whereagles]

2♥, pretending I have a 0634

[mtvesuvius]

I would bid 3♥ unless w/r; then 4♥. This is something that I establish with my partners: That I hold no restrictions when pre-empting. They know this, and act accordingly.

[Cascade]

I wouldn't try anything more than 2♥ and that could work out very badly.

 

I will show a maximum with six.

[rogerclee]

3♥, middle of the road. I wouldn't open 4♥ at w/r, I think, but it would be quite tempting.

 

Edit, after practice bidding with Han over 4♥ preempts, I would now open this hand 4♥.

[H_KARLUK]

PASS

[lonesome31]

PASS~ :rolleyes:

[tonedown]

PASS, come back later in the auction.

[Fluffy]

2♥... replying answers are split into many different groups, but the poll's answers are not :rolleyes:.

 

I also like 4♥, opponent's know it is almost always right to bid 4♠ over 4♥, so you should bid 4♥ more often.

[Phil]

At all white, I think opening this hand 4♥ is mad. Would you do it at all red? Do you realize that it doesn't make a lot of difference (except at MPs if your opponents forget to double)?

 

All white, I can stomach 3♥ or pass. The hand is too offbeat for a weak 2.

[Finch]

I would pass.

Distant second choice a tie between 3H and 4H.

If I were playing the Italian first team, I would open 4H.

[Elianna]

I may have forgotten to mention that this is matchpoints

[hackenbush]

3♥. 2♥ if the side suits weren't so offensive.

[655321]

At all white, I think opening this hand 4♥ is mad. Would you do it at all red?

Yes.

 

Do you realize that it doesn't make a lot of difference (except at MPs if your opponents forget to double)?

Well, let's rather say that if we go two down doubled when the opponents have a game the two cases are the same.

 

There are a number of potentially winning cases for opening these weak shapely hands at the 4 level. For example, one big upside is that it takes the opponent's 3NT off the menu. I have seen a 4M opening passed out in one room where the other room was able to bid and make 3NT over a 3 level opening. The opponents certainly have less room to find their contract. And the shape offers (some) protection against going for a number.

[the hog]

7-4 open 4H

[hanp]

I tend to agree Ron, but with this heart suit? I can go with 3 or 4 at the table.

[neilkaz]

This is a really weak 7 card suit so 3 is enough for me inspite of being 7-4-0 and noting I have an ace on defence.

[cherdanno]

At all white, I think opening this hand 4♥ is mad. Would you do it at all red? Do you realize that it doesn't make a lot of difference (except at MPs if your opponents forget to double)?

 

All white, I can stomach 3♥ or pass. The hand is too offbeat for a weak 2.

One of the biggest sourcse of lost IMPs from opening 4♥ come when we go down, and they weren't making game. So I do think all white or all red is big difference.

I would open 4♥ all white and 3♥ all red, both are close. I can understand pass but I really really hate 2♥.

[hanp]

I do agree with that but against Phil I would rather open 4H when vulnerable. (he won't double me. :()

[helene_t]

One of the biggest sourcse of lost IMPs from opening 4♥ come when we go down, and they weren't making game. So I do think all white or all red is big difference.

But OTOH, the biggest source of gain is when our game makes while they could have made game as well, isn't it?

[Elianna]

I bid 2H. Opponent overcalled 4S, partner doubled with Qxx - AKxxx Kxxxx.

 

Partner didn't believe me when I played high-low on the diamonds (we play upside down) and played another one. Spade honors were split, clubs were 3-1, and declarer pulled trump before I could get in to give him a ruff.