Opening Bid

[helene_t]

hehe Richard doesn't want to preempt because the hand has too much defense and Mikeh doesn't want to open 1♠ because the hand has no defense :)

 

I think the hand has just slightly too much playing strength for 2♠ and I don't believe in tweeners so I won't pass. I think 1♠ is ok, it obviously can take us too high but not opening 1♠ might not take us high enough.

[PhilKing]

This hand is an advert for 2M showing 8-11.

[Trinidad]

Whether you open this 1♠ or 2♠ is a matter of judgement and taste. Where I play, the norm is to open about half of the 4432's with 11 HCP. This hand is better than a good 11HCP 4432. That means that if someone opens this 1♠, I will not consider that very light. So, if my opponents open 1♠, I know that this hand is possible.

 

Rik

[silvr bull]

I think either of the black tens has more offensive playing strength (but obviously less defense) than a red queen, and I would not be embarrassed to open this 1♠, but I chose 2♠ instead. My view is that there is value in limiting my hand at the earliest convenient spot in an auction. If I open 1♠ here, I will need to focus my remaining bids on slowing partner down so we do not get too high. By opening 2♠, in contrast, I have extras that will allow me to bid more aggressively later.

[mike777]

I think either of the black tens has more offensive playing strength (but obviously less defense) than a red queen, and I would not be embarrassed to open this 1♠, but I chose 2♠ instead. My view is that there is value in limiting my hand at the earliest convenient spot in an auction. If I open 1♠ here, I will need to focus my remaining bids on slowing partner down so we do not get too high. By opening 2♠, in contrast, I have extras that will allow me to bid more aggressively later.

 

 

sounds like a strong argument in favor of 1s then. :)

 

 

pard should play me for this hand if I open 1s...but never if I open 2s