What do you open

[whereagles]

I would open a 14-16 1NT and I think it's so normal I find it strange Justin dislikes the bid. Balanced 3 hcp + good 5-card suit = upgrade to 14. Textbook stuff, wtp?

 

I'm ok with 1♦ or 2♣ as well, but 1NT seems to be the most descriptive bid. And it's preemptive as well.

[the hog]

"An interesting bid (and the one I chose in the poll but might not at the table) is PASS!"

 

I am curious as why you think this is "interesting". You lie to partner, do nothing to pre empt the opps and basically roll over and die.

[chasetb]

"An interesting bid (and the one I chose in the poll but might not at the table) is PASS!"

 

I am curious as why you think this is "interesting". You lie to partner, do nothing to pre empt the opps and basically roll over and die.

It's interesting because I am the only one who said it (possibly for good reason). I prefer my 1NT to be constructive, especially because my two serious partnerships are pretty aggressive over 1NT openings. I also don't feel that 1NT is all that preemptive here, and I think you are just more likely to push good opponents into a game they won't bid otherwise. My partners suck at leading, so while 1♦ is systemic I don't want them to lead that suit. THAT seems like a lie to me, and with partner being a passed hand, we have no chance at game; we also probably will lose the part-score battle as well. Finally, if the opponents do bid a game, they won't expect an opening hand here, so have a chance of misplaying it. It's not like opening is going to Bidding here is just not a winning option imo.

[the hog]

Firstly a systemic bid is NOT a lie.

 

Secondly, would you have opened

Axx

AT9xx

x

xxxx

If not, then how can you say you have no chance for game?

 

Thirdly, bridge does not just consist of bidding games. Don't you want to get a part score?