strong 2C

[mycroft]

I play control responses to 2♣, too, and they're useful. But swap North and East's hands (and to be really mean, rotate North's hand to West, West to East, East to North), and you won't be happy with 2♣-p-2♠ (I would bid 2♥, 2 controls, but meh)X; 3D-4♠ and good luck finding the heart suit now.

 

I hate strong single-suiters with 2♣ - sure, most of the time it's okay, but when they overcall with a long suit and crap, and fourth hand raises with a long suit and crap, I really wish I'd been able to show a suit.

 

Maybe people don't overcall 2♣ as much as they do around here.

[phil_20686]

I would never pass with an ace when I have a one level response available.

[gwnn]

I would never pass with an ace.

Me neither.

[lmilne]

Here is an example for 3NT

Does anyone think its guaranteed that opponents will overcall or partner will respond and of course there are slightly less extreme examples all with partner holding one ace and at least four of the other black suit and at least one of diamonds or hearts. A king in one black and queen-ten in the other would alse be enough.

 

Of course the original hand fails the qualification if you want 10+ in a minor to open 2C.

 

Wow. You think responder is passing 1♦ when we could going off (and cold for 4♠)? Responding on this hand is completely normal - as others have said, an ace is enough, let alone the fact that it heads a 5-card major and we aren't happy with the current contract. Also, I doubt many people would pass out 1♦ either.

 

This discussion totally misses the risks and benefits of opening 2♣, IMO.

[billw55]

1♣ systems allow for two tiers of strong hands and can therefore distinguish this hand from a 22+ hand easily.