Open or not?

[wvlaker]

Matchpoints

 

Hand 1 - Non-vul vs. vul

 

♠AJ4 - ♥T94 - ♦QT875 - ♣A8

 

 

Hand 2 - Both vul

 

♠J7 - ♥952 - ♦AKQJ3 - ♣653

[MarkG_VA]

Yes, of course. As The_Hog would say, wtp? (finally dawned on me ... wtp=why the problem ... lol)

[fred]

I would open both hands, but I would open the 2nd hand with a weak 2D if my partnership had that call available (as all of my regular partnerships do).

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[Flame]

I am close to opening the first, but wouldnt open the second, i am not impresed with AKQJ suits.

[luke warm]

damn, i should have read before i voted :)

 

i would pass both hands, tho if i opened either it would be 1nt on hand 1...

[the hog]

Open both wtp. Open the second hand with 2D if I can, maybe even 3 at this vul.

[Guest Jlall]

open the first but not the second. dont like preempting 5332 hands.

[mikestar]

I open both: in fact I open both in first or second seat (but throw either in fourth seat). I don't love 1D on either--I much prefer 1N and 2D if ssystemically available, but 1D is better than pass.

[inquiry]

open first any position, any vul.

 

Open second with 2D in third seat if we play that as weak and both not vul, open 3D in first or third seat if not vul and opponents vul. Pass other seats and vulnerabilities

 

Ben

[Guest Jlall]

3D, wow i thought i was the junior :)

[whereagles]

1. I open 1D or 2D, depending on the day and opps.

 

2. I open 2D or 3D, as above :)

[EricK]

I see that nearly everybody (including some very fine players indeed) is opening the first hand, and I say WTP. In this case meaning "What's the point?".

 

I have a defensive hand so I want to defend. I don't want to help them place the cards if they do end up in a contract. The bid is not very pre-emptive. It is not particularly lead-directing. If I open hands like this it makes it harder for partner when I have a genuine opening bid in this position (I realise that for Ben this is a genuine opening bid!).

 

It may be because of the level of opponents I generally play against, but if I open this sort of hand, then either we end up playing for a minus score or the opponents end up at a lower, safer level than they would if I had passed (because they are more scared of the -200 if they think I have some points). Whereas passing often leads to a nice +100 when opponents bid slightly too high or misplay because they don't expect me to have quite so much.

 

So what is your reasoning for opening this hand?

 

Eric

[joker_gib]

1st :

 

NV, I play weak NT so 1NT !

 

2nd :

 

Only open if i have the 2♦ bid as a weak 2 ! As I don't have it I would pass. :)

[whereagles]

I see that nearly everybody (including some very fine players indeed) is opening the first hand, and I say WTP. In this case meaning "What's the point?".

 

I have a defensive hand so I want to defend. I don't want to help them place the cards if they do end up in a contract. The bid is not very pre-emptive. It is not particularly lead-directing. If I open hands like this it makes it harder for partner when I have a genuine opening bid in this position (I realise that for Ben this is a genuine opening bid!).

 

It may be because of the level of opponents I generally play against, but if I open this sort of hand, then either we end up playing for a minus score or the opponents end up at a lower, safer level than they would if I had passed (because they are more scared of the -200 if they think I have some points). Whereas passing often leads to a nice +100 when opponents bid slightly too high or misplay because they don't expect me to have quite so much.

 

So what is your reasoning for opening this hand?

 

Eric

If you open the 1st hand 1D, you can compete up to 2M when pard has a 5-card major and a few points. If you pass, that can be more difficult to evaluate:

 

pass pass pass 1H ..? <--- will pard bid 1S on Txxxx Kxx Ax xxx?

 

Maybe he ends up bidding 1S, but it would be much easier if it had gone

 

pass pass 1D 1H

1S

 

 

Opening 2D has a different objective: lure opps into bidding a losing 3/4M. The 2D is unilateral, meaning you WILL lose a major suit 5-3 fit. By opening 2D you're gambling opps will be more eager to (mis)bid than to pass.

[Flame]

I see that nearly everybody (including some very fine players indeed) is opening the first hand, and I say WTP. In this case meaning "What's the point?".

 

I have a defensive hand so I want to defend. I don't want to help them place the cards if they do end up in a contract. The bid is not very pre-emptive. It is not particularly lead-directing. If I open hands like this it makes it harder for partner when I have a genuine opening bid in this position (I realise that for Ben this is a genuine opening bid!).

 

It may be because of the level of opponents I generally play against, but if I open this sort of hand, then either we end up playing for a minus score or the opponents end up at a lower, safer level than they would if I had passed (because they are more scared of the -200 if they think I have some points). Whereas passing often leads to a nice +100 when opponents bid slightly too high or misplay because they don't expect me to have quite so much.

 

So what is your reasoning for opening this hand?

 

Eric

Its simple , much simple then you think, add a J to the hand, now do you open ? I hear yes, now what about all the arguments that you have given against opening, is one J change them all ?

This isnt a tactical opening, the hand just worth an opening value, 2 aces, 2 10s and good intermidiates make it worth more then the avarage 12 hcp hand.

[Free]

I open both

[cherdano]

I see that nearly everybody (including some very fine players indeed) is opening the first hand, and I say WTP. In this case meaning "What's the point?".

For me the reason is easy. My partner expects me to open all balanced hands with 12 hcp, and I am convinced this is one.

So for me opening is "easy bridge" and passing would be second-guessing the auction (apart from irritating partner about my opening style).

Btw, do you plan to pass throughout? If I pass now and bid later, partner has a good chance to misjudge if he has to make a decision later.

[kgr]

Pass on first hand. Reason: Points are divided equally and I don't have the majors. They can play in 2S and we have to go to 3D. (It could be wrong!)

 

2D on second hand (Actually 2C being stong or weak 2D). Not enough defence to open 1D in 3rd hand.

[helene_t]

As for hand 1, I would have second thoughts if I had a doubleton in a major. As it is, I can limit my hand by passing any response. And a diamond lead is welcome. So I see no reason not to open.

 

It has a slight preemptive effect. If partner can bid 1NT it's fine, matchpoints and nonvulnerable.

 

As for hand 2, 2♦ is wtp. I hope that opening is available, I think it should in 3rd seat even if you prefer some other preempt structure in first and 2nd seat. Otherwise, I would pass. 3♦ is too much vulnerable.

[Guest Jlall]

I see that nearly everybody (including some very fine players indeed) is opening the first hand, and I say WTP. In this case meaning "What's the point?".

The point is describing ones hand. I never think about what might or might not happen when im choosing to open (other than my first rebid), I think is my hand worth an opener. To me this hand is worth an opener, so I will open. Good honor location, spots, enough defense, a decent 5 card suit.

[inquiry]

As for hand 2, 2♦ is wtp. I hope that opening is available, I think it should in 3rd seat even if you prefer some other preempt structure in first and 2nd seat. Otherwise, I would pass. 3♦ is too much vulnerable.

You did note my caveat that I would open the second hand 2♦ in third seat only if both vul (as stated in problem). That means I would not open 2♦ in first seat even with that is weak 2, and would open it 2♦ i third seat only with both vul. If not vul versus VUL, I would open 3D in THIRD seat OR in FIRST, but not in 2nd or 4th.

[abernat]

I open with both hands. Hand one isn't especially beatyful but it contains enough spade points. so 1♦. Hand number two has a suit that I want to be leaded, so 1♦. If I were not vul and opps vul, I would probably open 1♠ :)

[han]

In first seat I would open both hands with 1D. in third seat I would still open the first hand with 1D, planning to pass whatever partner bids next, and I would open 2D on the second, as I don't like to rebid 1NT and I can't pass all of partner's bids.

[keylime]

Get in, get out - open !

[wvlaker]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Here are the full hands.

 

[hv=d=s&v=e&n=saj4ht94dqt875ca8&w=sq873h852da3ck762&e=sk95hk763dk9cq954&s=st62haqjdj642cjt3]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv]

 

 

 

[hv=d=s&v=e&n=saj4ht94dqt875ca8&w=sq873h852da3ck762&e=sk95hk763dk9cq954&s=st62haqjdj642cjt3]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv]

 

 

In hand 1, if you pass and get passed out, you will get a 15% score. In hand 2, if you pass and get passed out, you will get a 84% score.