What to open

[NickB50014]

♠ A K Q x x

♥ void

♦ void

♣A K Q x x x x x

Saw this in a bridge benefit two days ago, LHO had this hand as dealer. Opened 1♠, partner said 2♦, RHO said 2♥, I said 3♦ with 5 card ♦ support and ♥A Q over RHO's expected K♥. LHO jumped to 6♣ pass to me and I smartly (or so I thought at the time) doubled. LHO made 6♣X+1,as they trumped a spade lose with the singleton J♣ in RHO's hand.

 

My question is, how would you guys open this?

[Phil]

Hi welcome to the forums. I'm having a hard time making sense of this, but I think what's happened is:

 

LHO* Partner RHO You

1♠...2♦...2♥...3♦

6♣...pass....pass....double**

All pass

 

* who held the AKQxx,void,void, AKQxxxxx

 

You held ♠? ♥AQ? ♦xxxxx ♣?

 

The vulnerability is unclear, but it appears to be a pairs event.

 

---------

 

* - There are some interesting tactical possibilities. You could open this 7♣ to shut out a red suit sacrifice that rates to be profitable for them. Since its matchpoints, you could open 1♠ to see if there is a spade fit since 7♠>7♣. You could even 'walk' this up to 7♣ in the hopes you get doubled. One thing I would not do is open this 2♣. It is inconceivable that 1♣ or 1♠ gets passed out, and we rate to get preempted in a red suit with a hand this extreme.

 

** - Why are you doubling? You didn't provide your whole hand, but LHO as announced a lot of black cards, so there's no reason to think you are cashing two red suit tricks.

 

I would give your entire hand, and I would also give the vulnerability.

 

Thanks

[NickB50014]

I dont remember my exact hand, I do remember I had 9 or 10 points, I put partner on 11 or so and rho at least 5 (where he only really had 1 point not counting his 6 card heart suit) We were vulnerable my opponents were not. We ended up getting a bottom, but other people had doubled and held them to 6 as declarer did not trump a losing spade before drawing trumps.

My hand was something like this

♠10 x x x

♥ A Q x

♣ x

♦ Q x x x x

My figuring was LHO would be void somewhere, but double void never crossed my mind. I counted on pulling either 2 hearts or 2 diamond tricks not 0 and 0 :P And I also knew my 4th spade might pick up a trick and in an auction where we showed points I figured it wasn't a bad double. Turns out if my partned led trump we hold them to 6 as my 4th spade becomes a winner.

[Free]

I would never open 1♠. For me this is a clear 2♣ opening (we want to play game when partner is very weak and would pass a 1-level opening), but if I'd be forced to open at 1-level I think 1♣ stands out by a mile.

[hrothgar]

I'd open 6♣ (Maybe 7, but I suspect 6)

[NickB50014]

At another table the local bridge instructor opened 2♣ ended up in 6♣ but got a bottom as well because he wasn't doubled, because East/West (my teams positions) didn't get to show any points.

[Statto]

1♠ seems reasonable - if partner can support ♠, 7♠ looks a good bet, otherwise there's probably a ♠ loser that can't be dealt with by ruffing without risking an overruff, so 6♣ is probably the best spot. If partner converts to 6♠, it should probably have good chances too.

 

1♣ is another possible start, hoping to make a forcing ♠ bid next - if partner likes ♣, 7♣ looks good as there should be enough ♣ support to ruff a ♠ loser.

 

One thing almost for certain, 1♠ or 1♣ isn't going be passed out. I'm not sure about 2♣ - with two voids even white v red I'd expect competition, so we're probably not going to get to show both suits and may be left with just bidding 6♣ anyway.

[Phil]

I'd open 6♣ (Maybe 7, but I suspect 6)

 

Yes, but how often? :)