Pass, 1, 2, 3 or 4?

[Hanoi5]

Favorable, MPs, dealer passes and you hold:

 

♠AJT9xx

♥Q

♦Tx

♣KJ87

 

What and why?

[Cyberyeti]

Easy 1♠, would do this without Q♥ too.

 

Our 2♠ is a 6CS but can be very weak in this position so this is waaaay too good, I have almost certainly more points than RHO, partner hasn't passed, why should I preempt him.

[Free]

1♠ because I have opening values and 5+♠.

[Fluffy]

1♠ because I'm worth it

[lexlogan]

Favorable, MPs, dealer passes and you hold:

 

♠AJT9xx

♥Q

♦Tx

♣KJ87

 

What and why?

2♠ for me. I have 9 working high card points and a fine six-card major. With two quick tricks I'd be inclined to open 1♠, but I see no reason to strain to open a 1.5 QT, flawed 11 hcp hand when there is a perfectly good alternative. Richard Pavliceck's data shows that "light" 1♠ openings are a clear loser. I do not vary the high card requirements for a one or two bid by vulnerability; I do pay more attention to suit quality when vulnerable.

[ArtK78]

At this vulnerability and position my regular partner and I open light so this would be a 1♠ opening.

 

Playing a standard system, I would open 2♠. In second seat, a 2♠ opening should be sound, and this one is sound. I am not counting the ♥Q as part of my values, so it is an effective 9 count. This would not be a 1-bid playing standard methods.

[Zelandakh]

It looks like a clear 1♠ opening to me.

[hrothgar]

Interesting hand

 

I am torn between pass and 1♠

 

I am normally a sound open playing 2/1. I've seen too many people power into miserable 3N game after opening on drek.

Here, the sixth Spade makes a big difference. (Its a lot more likely that we can scurry into 4♠)

 

I would probably open 1♠, but I'd have no problem with a pass

[billw55]

Pass is the one choice I really don't like. I don't believe there is such a thing as an in-between hand (too good for 2♠, not good enough for 1♠). When I have stuff to bid, I like to bid.

 

For my own style, I choose 1♠, but consider it close.

[neilkaz]

1♠ and I seriously have to ask WTP? I have enough to open 1♠ thanx to a good 6 card suit and a reasonable 4 card side suit. Yes my stiff Q is a defect, but certainly it is more useful than a stiff spot would be. My Tx is possible more useful than two low spots. If we end up in 3NT, perhaps those red cards are useful.

 

I have too much for 2♠ in this position at favorable. 2♠ can cause me to miss a game. Now if the stiff Q was a spot, OK then I open 2♠.

[aguahombre]

1♠ because I'm worth it

Do you mean the hand is worth it? I agree.

 

Or are you opening a new subject for debate? :D

[ahydra]

Obvious 1♠ if you ask me. I think I would open 2♠ if the HQ was a small one though.

 

ahydra

[CSGibson]

1♠. Everything else sucks hard. This is too good to preempt in my opinion, and there's no rush to do so since you have spades & are in 2nd position.

 

Edit: OK, I was a little aggressive here. I would never do anything but open 1♠, and think preempting to be a losing style, but sucks hard was too much, since I would open 2♠ if the Q of hearts became an x.

[mycroft]

With my Precision partner, it's a clear 1♠ call.

With my EHAA partner, it's a clear 2♠ call - not even close to maximum.

With my K/S partner, I'm opening 1♠, but I can see two. Unfavourable, I would prefer 2, probably.

With my Tuesday 2/1 partner, this will be a disappointment to partner when I open 2♠; I'll just hope that ♠JT9 == ♠Q. 1♠ is right out.

 

So it really depends on the rest of my system, and what partner expects for a second seat, favourable weak 2.

[wyman]

1S, not close for me.

[ggwhiz]

1♠. My partner would be shocked at anything else.

 

One opponent is not well heeled and the other may not be either. We could be on for games like 3nt or 4♠ opposite a stiff and I would hate to bury a big club fit opposite short spades and a good hand.

[ArtK78]

I sure hope that all of these 1♠ bidders have a really good hand when they invite game. LOL.

[gszes]

1s but it is razors edge close change the spade T to x and I will open 2s

[wyman]

I sure hope that all of these 1♠ bidders have a really good hand when they invite game. LOL.

 

Not only am I not ashamed of opening this 1S, I'm damn close to bidding game if partner makes a simple raise. I'm at least making a try. I don't expect to be in a no-play game very often.

 

I've heard stories of Meck saying that if you open a 6-bagger and partner raises, you should bid game. Of course, he plays the spots off the cards, and I suck, so I'm down 1 more often than he, but in the post-mortem, I usually see a way I could have made it. Opps don't always make the right lead, and sometimes they try to be a little heroic in the play, making a phantom unblock, leading honors, etc. And sometimes partner just has the nuts...

 

Maybe this is a huge leak in my game, and maybe some folks better than I am will comment. But I value a 6th trump tremendously when partner raises.

[ArtK78]

Not only am I not ashamed of opening this 1S, I'm damn close to bidding game if partner makes a simple raise. I'm at least making a try. I don't expect to be in a no-play game very often.

 

I've heard stories of Meck saying that if you open a 6-bagger and partner raises, you should bid game. Of course, he plays the spots off the cards, and I suck, so I'm down 1 more often than he, but in the post-mortem, I usually see a way I could have made it. Opps don't always make the right lead, and sometimes they try to be a little heroic in the play, making a phantom unblock, leading honors, etc. And sometimes partner just has the nuts...

 

Maybe this is a huge leak in my game, and maybe some folks better than I am will comment. But I value a 6th trump tremendously when partner raises.

There is something to what you say, but I think you are going too far. The example hand is a 7-loser hand, which, if I grant that it is an opening bid (and I do not), I would classify the hand as minimum opening bid (at least for MLTC, it is as good as a minimum opening hand). If I hold a 7 loser hand as my opening bid, and my partner makes a simple raise, I would not consider even inviting game. For me, it takes a 6 loser hand to invite game, as a typical simple raise contains 2 - 2 1/2 cover cards (sorry for all of the losing trick count analysis - I know that it drives some people nuts to hear about losing trick count analysis, as they give it little or no credence. Their loss).

 

It brings to mind a saying that one of my regular partners is fond of employing after he goes down in a contract where he was hopelessly outgunned: "Too many high card points were offside!"

[Trinidad]

I sure hope that all of these 1♠ bidders have a really good hand when they invite game. LOL.

Why? This hand is an easy accept opposite a limit raise.

 

The problem with this hand comes when it is a misfit: Partner will bid 2/1 and we get to a bad 3NT.

 

But when partner has support this is a very nice opening.

 

Rik

[ArtK78]

Why? This hand is an easy accept opposite a limit raise.

 

The problem with this hand comes when it is a misfit: Partner will bid 2/1 and we get to a bad 3NT.

 

But when partner has support this is a very nice opening.

 

Rik

Did I say invite game with a fit?

[Lord Molyb]

Did I say invite game with a fit?

1♠ - 1nt (forcing)

2♣/♠ - 2nt

Like this? :rolleyes:

[sfi]

Did I say invite game with a fit?

 

You really do see things negatively, don't you? This hand has fitting honours in three suits, honours in the long suits, a source of tricks, an easy rebid, and pretty good defence. What exactly are you missing for an opening bid?

 

Sure you might go down in 3nt when partner doesn't have the right hand. But if partner pushes to game without a fit it's likely to have reasonable play. And if partner supports spades you'll probably take a lot of tricks.

[Cyberyeti]

There is something to what you say, but I think you are going too far. The example hand is a 7-loser hand, which, if I grant that it is an opening bid (and I do not), I would classify the hand as minimum opening bid (at least for MLTC, it is as good as a minimum opening hand). If I hold a 7 loser hand as my opening bid, and my partner makes a simple raise, I would not consider even inviting game. For me, it takes a 6 loser hand to invite game, as a typical simple raise contains 2 - 2 1/2 cover cards (sorry for all of the losing trick count analysis - I know that it drives some people nuts to hear about losing trick count analysis, as they give it little or no credence. Their loss).

 

It brings to mind a saying that one of my regular partners is fond of employing after he goes down in a contract where he was hopelessly outgunned: "Too many high card points were offside!"

Many people treat AJ10 as less than 2 losers (I've seen 1 and 1.5 used) so this is not a 7 loser hand for me (not that I use LTC).