Openinghand or not

[steve2005]

It's a balanced hand which is very quacky I wouldn't stretch to open. The spade suit is the only reason to open and that might not be lost if you pass.

[mikeh]

Opening is simply not my style. It is an awful hand. Far too many people think that just adding up hcp is the answer. Q's and J's are grossly overvalued by the 4321 count. We have 1...count it...1 control and 11 hcp. Yes, it can be a style question, but ask yourself this......does it make my constructive bidding better when I significantly lower my opening bid standards and don't lower my 2♣ standards? and if I lower those, what does that do to my ability to bid big hands intelligently?

 

Meanwhile, by opening these hands you lose a lot of penalties when partner can't risk doubling when you have no controls, or you double making contracts when he plays you for values.

 

These problems far outweigh the preemptive value of getting in the auction first, but they tend to be the kind of outcomes that aggressive players pretend don't happen.

 

It isn't that I am blind to the advantages. It is just that if you really want to enjoy those advantages while minimizing the disadvantages, switch to a strong club method.

[phil_20686]

I would pass in first or second playing 2/1, but opening these hands is more of a style thing than anything else. Its not a clear error to open these. But this hand is very bad. I'd count it as a 10 count. Its just so soft.

 

Its an auto opener in third seat.

 

In fourth seat its an auto opener at MP. At imps I might well pass, then again, I might not. Its borderline.