Opening 12-13 pt 1516 Shapes

[dustinst22]

What is standard practice with this shape (1516, 0526), to always open the longer minor or take into consideration the problem of what to do after a 1♠ response and thus open 1♥?

 

This brings up the point of, how good does our hand need to be for a "distributional" strength reverse (i.e. only 12 HCP, but 4 losers like x KQJxx x KQJxxx)

 

Hand that came up yesterday:

 

Q KQJxx T KQJxxx

[TylerE]

I always open 1M on those hands. Have 1-5-0-7 I might open 1M depending on suit quality. THe problem is that natural systems have almost no way to back into a 5-3 after opening 1m.

[wanoff]

I always open 1m unless touching.

[Siegmund]

I default to opening 1M any time I have a 5-card major and a longer minor. It does vary from place to place and partner to partner. When I lived in Alaska "everybody" did this; down here, many of my partners do, but not everyone. Just something to ask your partners.

[Phil]

12-13 is the cusp for me. It might depend on my honor structure, the relative strengths of the suits. etc.. Even form of scoring matters.

 

I would open the subject hand 1♣.

[nige1]

What is standard practice with this shape (1516, 0526), to always open the longer minor or take into consideration the problem of what to do after a 1♠ response and thus open 1♥? This brings up the point of, how good does our hand need to be for a "distributional" strength reverse (i.e. only 12 HCP, but 4 losers like x KQJxx x KQJxxx). Hand that came up yesterday:♠ Q ♥ K Q J x x ♦ T ♣ K Q J x x x

IMO, 1♣ = 10, 1♥ = 8, on the example hand.

There is quite likely to be a competitive auction and then a 6-2 or 6-1 fit often plays better than a 5-2 fit.

With 5 ♠ and 6 m, you are safer opening the minor because you can often introduce ♠ at a low-level.

Admittedly, with a chunky suit, as here, there is more of a temptation to open the major.

[TylerE]

Not quite sure I but the argument about being able to introduce spades cheaply. I mean, you CAN, but partner having 3, or even Ax, isn't going to want to hear it, so there isn't much POINT in showing the major.

[Free]

We've had so many discussions about this subject, please search the forum first! In short: there is no standard, some prefer 1M, some prefer 1m, and for others it depends on suit quality.

[steve2005]

Normally I would open 1M in that point range.

However, the suit quality in your 2 suits is so exceptional and your hand is a 4 loser hand so, I would open 1♣ and rebid the major twice.

[FM75]

What is standard practice with this shape (1516, 0526), to always open the longer minor or take into consideration the problem of what to do after a 1♠ response and thus open 1♥?

 

This brings up the point of, how good does our hand need to be for a "distributional" strength reverse (i.e. only 12 HCP, but 4 losers like x KQJxx x KQJxxx)

 

Hand that came up yesterday:

 

Q KQJxx T KQJxxx

Conditions of match? Seat?

 

3rd or 4th seat, bid the major then the minor. The hand is worth 2 bids.

 

 

Earlier seat -

You have a 4 LTC hand on a possible fit, and a hand with both offensive and defensive strength. But it is effectively a 12 hcp hand on a misfit. If your partner could overcall in one of your suits, it drops to a 3 LTC hand. as you said. You hate to pass this hand in an opening seat.

 

 

What happens on a misfit after a reverse? Have you shown x4y5? x4y6? x5y6, x(45)y7? When your partner counts you for 16+, he is going to be disappointed to see an aceless hand. You can still bid after either or both opponents bid pointed suits, but you still hate to pass in 1st or 2nd seat.

 

 

You can bid like crazy after an opening Pass and partner can't mistake you for having more than 12 hcp. How often will a pass lose? As I see it, only when the hand is passed out. How aggro are your opps, partner?

 

P , 1♥ = 7

1♣ = 4 opponents might find double fit in the pointed suits before your rebid.

 

 

Added:

In first seat, partner will stretch to open. In second seat, he may be happy to pass. So here I think maybe P in 2nd seat would be only 2.

Edited May 25, 2013 by FM75