Why does 1H-1S-2D show 5 hearts and 4 diamonds?

[Zelandakh]

Horrible!

But not horrible enough to make you consider opening this hand 1♦ instead? ;)

[Cyberyeti]

We go with the "open diamonds if you have them" method for 4441s.

[Tramticket]

But not horrible enough to make you consider opening this hand 1♦ instead? ;)

 

You are well aware that you have constructed a specific hand and auction to make life awkward :)

 

You could equally well construct a hand where you miss a club slam by opening 1D (opening 1C allows you to find a fit in either minor). Constructive bidding will generally work better if you open 1C. Overall I stand by the 1C opening.

 

(Even on the hand quoted, the rebid may be easier depending upon what is promised by partner's negative double, and whether a 2D rebid promises extra values over the negative double).

[Zelandakh]

You are well aware that you have constructed a specific hand and auction to make life awkward :)

 

You could equally well construct a hand where you miss a club slam by opening 1D (opening 1C allows you to find a fit in either minor). Constructive bidding will generally work better if you open 1C. Overall I stand by the 1C opening.

 

(Even on the hand quoted, the rebid may be easier depending upon what is promised by partner's negative double, and whether a 2D rebid promises extra values over the negative double).

Well yes but only because it is so well documented and I was aware of the issue. It is not exactly an unusual hand within the context.

 

The club slam is much less common as hands in the slam zone will usually be strong enough to bring that suit into the auction. More likely would be missing a better partial (with 2NT perhaps going down) or a 5♣ contract with 3NT out of the picture (or the opps bidding to 4M).

 

One further option here that might address concerns on both sides would be to open 1♦ with hands in the (11)12-14 range and 1♣ with 15+ hands. How does that sound?

[Tramticket]

Well yes but only because it is so well documented and I was aware of the issue. It is not exactly an unusual hand within the context.

 

The club slam is much less common as hands in the slam zone will usually be strong enough to bring that suit into the auction. More likely would be missing a better partial (with 2NT perhaps going down) or a 5♣ contract with 3NT out of the picture (or the opps bidding to 4M).

 

One further option here that might address concerns on both sides would be to open 1♦ with hands in the (11)12-14 range and 1♣ with 15+ hands. How does that sound?

 

Sounds a lot better. But I'm not opening 11 point 4441 hands. Even some 12 point hands are worth a pass in my book.

[Zelandakh]

Sounds a lot better. But I'm not opening 11 point 4441 hands. Even some 12 point hands are worth a pass in my book.

Never say never! ;) Would you really not consider opening a hand like ♠AT98 ♥T ♦AT98 ♣KT98 under any circumstances?

[OldGranton]

.

It looks as if the dust has settled on the minor jousting between Zelandach and Tramticket. So, here's my new plan for 4441, based on this compromise by Zelandach:

 

 

One further option here that might address concerns on both sides would be to open 1♦ with hands in the (11)12-14 range and 1♣ with 15+ hands.

 

and this acceptance by Tramticket:

 

 

Sounds a lot better.

 

So, my new rule for 4441 hands is now:

 

• With 12-14 points, open Diamonds if you have them - otherwise open Clubs.
  
• With 15+ points, open Clubs if you have them - otherwise open Diamonds.
  

 

Thanks.

.

[Zelandakh]

With 15+ points, open Clubs if you have them - otherwise open Diamonds.

This is fine if you are willing to reverse 1♣ - 1♠; 2♦ with a 1444 15 count but otherwise I would suggest opening that shape (singleton ♠) with 1♦ for all ranges. That gives:-

• With 12-14 points, open diamonds if you have them - otherwise open clubs
  
• With 15+ points, open clubs if you have a red singleton, open diamonds with a black singleton
  

[Tramticket]

This is fine if you are willing to reverse 1♣ - 1♠; 2♦ with a 1444 15 count but otherwise I would suggest opening that shape (singleton ♠) with 1♦ for all ranges. That gives:-

• With 12-14 points, open diamonds if you have them - otherwise open clubs
  
• With 15+ points, open clubs if you have a red singleton, open diamonds with a black singleton
  

 

Yes, I would always open 1♦ with a spade singleton. As Zel points out, you don't want to open 1♣ and rebid a 2♦ reverse over a 1♠ response.

 

You probably have an overload of information by now. If so, ignore the next bit! There is another possibility for you with 15+ hands (given that you play Acol and presumably a weak NT). You can treat the hand as balanced if partner responds in your singleton and rebid no trumps. This approach needs to be used with care and discussed with partner! The danger is that partner will leap to game in your singleton expecting you to hold at least a doubleton. If the singleton is in a minor this is not usually a risk: with a singleton club, I would open 1♦ and rebid 2NT if partner responds 2♣. With a singleton heart you will always choose to rebid 1♠ - preferring to show your four-card major.

 

The tricky case is when you hold a singleton spade. Pairs who open 1♣ with a singleton spade will usually choose to rebid 1NT (15-17) or 2NT (18-19) - this will need partner to be aware of this style and modify the continuations to allow for a possible singleton spade. This is playable, but it's not my taste and I prefer to open 1♦ with a singleton spade.