Would Charles Goren Approve?

[FelicityR]

I had this hand recently at the weekly MPs duplicate third in hand. We were playing Acol 5 card majors, Weak NT, 3 weak twos, and the opponents (average club players) were playing old-fashioned 4 card major Acol with a Strong NT, and strong twos.

 

I realise that opening bids are getting lighter and lighter, and this hand is 13 High Card Points on a basic point count but looks awful around the edges. I had a number of options available I felt, and third in hand with a passed partner allowed me a bit more leeway than usual.

 

As the opponents only had a natural defence to a 1NT opener (suits natural, double 16+) I decided to do something I rarely do "psyche", with the favourable vulnerability and opened 1NT (weak). (You are welcome to criticise me freely for such a rash opening) But my thinking was based on that my partner (who rarely opens a 11 count himself) wouldn't push us towards game, and I could pass a Stayman enquiry (but goodness knows what I would have done if partner used a transfer!). And as we use three weak two openings, he certainly wouldn't have a six card suit and a weak hand in ♦/♥/♠.

 

I am curious as to what you feel the best bid is, given the position and vulnerability, and as always thank you for your replies.

 

[hv=pc=n&s=skqhkdqj95cq96542&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=pp]133|200[/hv]

[pescetom]

As the opponents only had a natural defence to a 1NT opener (suits natural, double 16+) I decided to do something I rarely do "psyche", with the favourable vulnerability and opened 1NT (weak). (You are welcome to criticise me freely for such a rash opening) But my thinking was based on that my partner (who rarely opens a 11 count himself) wouldn't push us towards game, and I could pass a Stayman enquiry (but goodness knows what I would have done if partner used a transfer!). And as we use three weak two openings, he certainly wouldn't have a six card suit and a weak hand in ♦/♥/♠.

 

If your partner is as fussy about weak two openings as you are about one openings, he could easily have six card diamonds and a four card major, for instance. But in any case I would just make the natural 1♣ bid. I don't see any particular attraction in the psyche of weak 1NT here.

[FelicityR]

If your partner is as fussy about weak two openings as you are about one openings, he could easily have six card diamonds and a four card major, for instance. But in any case I would just make the natural 1♣ bid. I don't see any particular attraction in the psyche of weak 1NT here.

 

You are right.

 

I have tried to find out how to delete this post as (in my opinion now) it's not worthy of the forums. I can't find how to delete it though.

 

Would you be kind enough not to post any further comments on this thread. Thank you. Sorry to have wasted your time.

[maartenxq]

1 club is the honest bid as you perfectly know. If you feel like experimenting that's ok with me. Big downside of this is that partner will get very suspicious on your 3rd hand opening bids.

 

Maarten Baltussen

[cvcherry]

I will pass for now and expect for an all pass. There's great chance opponent's suit higher, and making an minor opening bid can only increase the chance for 4th seat to overcall with major.

[TylerE]

1♣, and if you turned the Q♣ into the 3♣ I'd still open 1♣, especially NV 3rd.

[majo]

It also depends on your weak opening bids at two level:

IF like we do, 2C shows both majors (44 or 54 or 45) OR GF, 2D shows a Multi and 2H/S shows a 5 card M with a minor suit,THEN chances are quite good that partner has some support in the minors OR is VERY weak. In both cases 3C is a good alternative to 1C opening.

[majo]

It also depends on your weak opening bids at two level:

IF like we do, 2C shows both majors (44 or 54 or 45) OR GF, 2D shows a Multi and 2H/S shows a 5 card M with a minor suit,THEN chances are quite good that partner has some support in the minors OR is VERY weak. In both cases 3C is a good alternative to 1C opening.

[blackshoe]

You just can't get bridge players to shut up. B-)