First seat opener?

[Bbradley62]

[hv=pc=n&s=sa2hkqj9432d6c642]133|100[/hv]Matchpoints. Not playing NAMYATS. Does your answer change if IMPs or different vulnerability? Thanks for your feedback.

 

Edit: Hmmm... I put in "none vul" and "dealer South", but i guess you don't get to see all of that without more info/action...

Edited April 12, 2012 by Bbradley62

[ArtK78]

Namyats is not relevant, as this hand is not even in the same area code as a Namyats bid.

 

Too strong to preempt, so I open 1♥.

[the_clown]

1♥ regardless of scoring and vulnerability.

[billw55]

1♥. This is the epitome of a 10 count opening 1-bid. A gorgeous hand really, worth far more than its mere hcp. Change a heart spot to a diamond spot and I still open 1♥ any conditions.

 

In fact, IMO this is so obvious it almost belongs in B/N forum.

[mikl_plkcc]

1H at first seat, perhaps 3H at third/fourth seat.

[Phil]

I think you'll get plenty of non-novices that open this hand 4♥.

[wank]

I think you'll get plenty of non-novices that open this hand 4♥.

1 in

[billw55]

I think you'll get plenty of non-novices that open this hand 4♥.

Yes, I suppose you are right. My comment may have been an overbid.

 

Not only that, but some players would also open 4♥ on this hand plus the ♥A; others might open such a hand 2♣. People persist in doing weird things that I just don't agree with at all. Call it bridge diversity I guess.

[Bbradley62]

In fact, IMO this is so obvious it almost belongs in B/N forum.

Sorry. This is a spin-off from another thread in which an experienced player told me:

While I'm sure there are people who will open it 1♥ (you, I guess), I wouldn't, and I'll bet I'm in the majority.

and

My guess is that it's an opener for 10-20% of players. Anyone who generally opens light would probably not even think twice, and if they're under 20 they'll accept an invitation to game with it. But more traditional players would probably ... open 3♥

I have developed the habit of creating a poll rather than simply saying "I think you're wrong"...

[fuburules3]

Sorry. This is a spin-off from another thread in which an experienced player told me:

and

I have developed the habit of creating a poll rather than simply saying "I think you're wrong"...

 

I don't think this really proves Barmar wrong as probably lots of players would not open 1H (they just don't post here).

[awm]

I think you'll get plenty of non-novices that open this hand 4♥.

 

I'm one of them.

[Bbradley62]

I don't think this really proves Barmar wrong as probably lots of players would not open 1H (they just don't post here).

Since you've read the other thread, you know that Barmar's claim was that 3♥ is the generally accepted correct/common opening for this hand, and that only outliers would open 1♥. I absolutely think these poll results state otherwise.

[rduran1216]

Since you've read the other thread, you know that Barmar's claim was that 3♥ is the generally accepted correct/common opening for this hand, and that only outliers would open 1♥. I absolutely think these poll results state otherwise.

 

I honestly think this is very borderline, any of the poll options besides 2H (which is ridiculous) are fine by me.

[the hog]

4H opening for me.

[mikl_plkcc]

I'm one of them.

 

I dare not open 4♥ without the ♥A, even at the 3rd seat.

[aguahombre]

Namyats is not relevant, as this hand is not even in the same area code as a Namyats bid.

Playing Namyats, an opening 4H bid shows seven to 7 1/2 tricks; an opening in the corresponding minor shows a trick more on offense.

 

This hand is 7 tricks; how is Namyats not relevant? I answered the poll with 1H, but my area code directory lists this as a Namyats 4H opener if we were playing that. Just to check my math, let's see...6 heart tricks and one spade trick.

 

Hands which are less pure than this one (say, more than one outside card) would open with 1H.

[billw55]

Since you've read the other thread, you know that Barmar's claim was that 3♥ is the generally accepted correct/common opening for this hand, and that only outliers would open 1♥. I absolutely think these poll results state otherwise.

In fairness, the poll results come from a very nonrepresentative subpopulation.

 

The more I think about this, the more I think that my original thoughts were colored by forum bias and/or style bias. I admit there will be many players who open this hand at the three or four level. I do still think that most of that group will be players with old fashioned styles, or club players with permanent point count blinders. But if you play a style where an opening 1-bid promises some minimum amount of defense, I suppose this hand may be a preempt.

[Bbradley62]

In fairness, the poll results come from a very nonrepresentative subpopulation.

 

The more I think about this, the more I think that my original thoughts were colored by forum bias and/or style bias. I admit there will be many players who open this hand at the three or four level. I do still think that most of that group will be players with old fashioned styles, or club players with permanent point count blinders. But if you play a style where an opening 1-bid promises some minimum amount of defense, I suppose this hand may be a preempt.

Yes, my Grandma would open 3♥. So would most of her friends at Shady Pines. So would many of the zillions of people who play house bridge who have never played in a club or a tournament. So, overall, maybe more people in the world would open 3♥ than would open 1♥. But, as you know from the original thread, and everyone else probably presumes based on my involvement, the actual conversation was about what GIB does and should do. The discussion of "most players" was as a frame of reference for what GIB should do. Presumably, GIB is not being programmed to emulate house bridge.

[han]

I would certainly open 4H. I hope that if we switched the spades and diamonds a 4H opening would be nearly unanimous, I feel pretty strongly that it would be winning bridge at least.

 

3H feels like the book bid from 70 years ago.

 

1H feels like a bad bid.

[ArtK78]

Playing Namyats, an opening 4H bid shows seven to 7 1/2 tricks; an opening in the corresponding minor shows a trick more on offense.

 

This hand is 7 tricks; how is Namyats not relevant? I answered the poll with 1H, but my area code directory lists this as a Namyats 4H opener if we were playing that. Just to check my math, let's see...6 heart tricks and one spade trick.

 

Hands which are less pure than this one (say, more than one outside card) would open with 1H.

Because the meaning of a 4♥ opening doesn't change if you are playing Namyats. A hand that qualifies for a Namyats opening is and always has been too strong to open 4 of a major (except for tactical purposes).

[Bbradley62]

Namyats is not relevant, as this hand is not even in the same area code as a Namyats bid.

Playing Namyats, an opening 4H bid shows seven to 7 1/2 tricks; an opening in the corresponding minor shows a trick more on offense.

Sorry about opening that can of worms... I do not play NAMYATS and don't honestly know its details; I just knew that it was somewhere in the neighborhood, and I wanted to avoid answers that started "I play NAMYATS, so I bid..." and then maybe messed up the statistics.