Opening Bid

[aawk]

If you open 1♣ and partner bids 1♦ your hand is not strong enough for bidding twice ♥ to show your x5x6 pattern.

 

If you open 1♣ and partner bids 1♠ or 1nt your hand is not strong enough for 2♥ as a revers bid.

 

If you open 1♥ it gives you way more chances to sell your hand being a x5x4 or x5x5 pattern without overselling your strength.

 

For example :

 

1♣ - 4♠ - p - p

??

5♥ is no option as take out so only 5♣ remains

 

1♥ - 4♠ - p - p

??

5♣ is now a option to show your x5x5 pattern and gives your partner a choice

[Cyberyeti]

Why do you insist on giving partner 5 spades? That is exactly the convenient assumption.

 

 

If the auction goes unopposed 1♥-1♠-2♣-2♥ it's exceptionally likely partner has 5. He has a weak hand, LHO can't double or overcall, it may depend on style, but if 4-3 in the majors does he bid 1♠ or 2♥ for you ?

 

Also, to the passers, do you prefer an auction that goes P-1♠-P-4♠ or 1♣-1♠-P/X/some number of clubs-4♠ to back into (or not) next ?

[bluenikki]

Why do you insist on giving partner 5 spades? That is exactly the convenient assumption.

 

I agree that spades and clubs are completely different than hearts and clubs. In fact, a number of posts up I said I would open this hand 1♥, but if my hearts and spades were swapped I would open 1♣ without a problem, precisely because I can bid 4♠ over a 4♥ from the opponents but I have to go up a level with the hand as given - and I want to involve my partner in that decision. I think with a 1♥ opening it is easier to show most of the features of this hand in a competitive auction (again, as I said before).

 

 

 

Could you give the full auction? If you have shown you are bidding primarily on shape partner should not double without good reason. Depending on what happened so far he will be expecting 0, 0.5 or maybe even 1 defensive trick in your hand, and you need to respond differently in these cases.

 

Actually, I see I didn't respond properly.

 

Before you open with an irregular 1-bid, you need to anticipate the way the auction may go, and plan what you will do in each class of cases. Not least to avoid a tempo-break at the crucial time.

[bluenikki]

1♣ - 4♠ - p - p

??

5♥ is no option as take out so only 5♣ remains

 

1♥ - 4♠ - p - p

??

5♣ is now a option to show your x5x5 pattern and gives your partner a choice

 

Is partner to know not to give false preference to 5♥?

[dsLawsd]

1♥ for me, but only because I have discussed this with my partner. The reasoning:

 

• pass is right out in my opinion. Somebody is holding the spades, and it's not me. The auction is likely to become very lively very soon, and I need all the time possible to describe my hand. So get in now, you won't get many more chances.
  
• 1♣ is the normal bid with a 6/5 hand, intending to bid hearts and then rebid them on the third round to show this shape. However (again due to missing the spades), I fear that third round bid might very well need to be 5♥, and you're simply not strong enough for something like that (in fact, even some conventional 4NT, demanding partner choose between your suits, might be too late). I really want to describe this weakish hand before somebody bids 4♠, and involve my partner in the decision to bid on. If my hand was about an ace stronger I would take this risk though, and open 1♣.
  
• 1♥ is all that is left. It is an unpleasant bid to make, and I am planning on bidding clubs (perhaps with a jump), and if possible rebidding them again to show 5/5 shape. Because of the general weakness of my hand I predict I won't get the chance to inform partner about my sixth club, and I'm cutting my losses right on the first round of the auction. It is a tragedy that my clubs are so much better than my hearts (so I'm not just going to lie about my shape, but also about the general placement of my points), but I feel I can live with it if partner plays a heart towards my KTxxx. Without partnership agreements I think there is much to be said for 'misleading' partner in the other direction, opening 1♣ intending to introduce the hearts and then rebidding clubs on the third round, presenting this hand as a 4/6.
  

 

Some asides: if the 2 of hearts instead was the ace, or if the hearts and spades are flipped, I would open 1♣. This time there is no problem: if I have the spades I simply take out their 4♥ with 4♠, and if I have the strong hand (between 4.5 and 3 losers. With 2.5 and fewer we open strong 2♣) I can bid 4NT on most auctions to show a wild two-suiter.

 

Precisely accurate analysis. You must be a terrific partner!

[mikeh]

If the auction goes unopposed 1♥-1♠-2♣-2♥ it's exceptionally likely partner has 5. He has a weak hand, LHO can't double or overcall, it may depend on style, but if 4-3 in the majors does he bid 1♠ or 2♥ for you ?

 

Also, to the passers, do you prefer an auction that goes P-1♠-P-4♠ or 1♣-1♠-P/X/some number of clubs-4♠ to back into (or not) next ?

Nice framing. Of course, if we pass the auction is always going 1S. 4S and of course 4N doesn’t work out. While equally the only possible alternative is we open and Lho overcalls 1S and partner shows hearts or clubs. Meanwhile, back in the real world, most of us understand that we may well be faced with unpleasant choices not matter what we choose as our initial action. We try to avoid deciding our choice based on two specific and intrinsically improbable (as in, there are so many permutations that no one or small number of possibilities has any great likelihood of occurring) sequences

 

My choice is to pass. It may not work out. Your choice is to open, but whether you admit it or not, that may not work out either. My experience, which is not trivial but doesn’t make me even close to infallible, suggests that passing, for now, is more often than not the better action.

[Cyberyeti]

Nice framing. Of course, if we pass the auction is always going 1S. 4S and of course 4N doesn’t work out. While equally the only possible alternative is we open and Lho overcalls 1S and partner shows hearts or clubs. Meanwhile, back in the real world, most of us understand that we may well be faced with unpleasant choices not matter what we choose as our initial action. We try to avoid deciding our choice based on two specific and intrinsically improbable (as in, there are so many permutations that no one or small number of possibilities has any great likelihood of occurring) sequences

 

My choice is to pass. It may not work out. Your choice is to open, but whether you admit it or not, that may not work out either. My experience, which is not trivial but doesn’t make me even close to infallible, suggests that passing, for now, is more often than not the better action.

 

Partner can show hearts or clubs or points IF he has them, and I can pass out with a much clearer conscience having opened if he passes. Yes he might be too weak to double. Also having opened 1♣ if I bid 4N over 4♠ this figures to be 6♣-5red and you won't get the wrong preference with 2 doubletons.

 

We open because we open worse hands than this and partner will not believe we have anywhere close to 10 tricks opposite ♥AQxx and out if we pass. Pass is not even in the discussion for us, it's 1♣ or 1♥.

 

Also in the event of a not improbable 1♣-1♠-P-2♦-2♥ from me shows my 6-5 at the 2 level (X is 4♥ for us, 2♥ shows 5 and hence 6 clubs)

[heart76]

I think I would open 2♥ muiderberg, although I am a bit too strong. Vulnerable it would be in range.

[msjennifer]

Sir,I shall never open this hand in 1st position.My vote is for PASS. There are certain reasons . (1)i do not like to quote the rule of 20 .(2)T he hand is absolutely useless in defence (partner shall certainly expect from you) ((3)NO ACE in the two suits.(4)Opponents can always overbid us if they hold Spades and Diamonds.If one opens this hand one may end up in a phantom sacrifice.(5))This hand may have a mirror image but in Spades and Damonds with partner.(5)I know someone in the forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Sorry .No insult intended in the least)who says if partner has xxxx-AQxx-xxx-xx and something similar then we miss a 4H game or slam.I do not like/wish to subscribe to such assumptions of IF.OR.and BUT.(6)If one has been FORCED to open this hand in 1st seat I shall have to open as 1 CLUB as there is the convenient descriptive rebid of 2C.If I open 1H then if it goes 1H-1S-2C ,I do not want partner to give preference to Hearts with xx in heart I dare not rebid my C after that.I shall have to find a new partner.

I ,most sincerely and humbly, wish the BEST OF LUCK to all who decide to open this hand in the 1ST seat.THANKS.Perhaps, i am afraid it sounds more like a novice or does it?

[msjennifer]

There is a lot of sense in this. I voted for 1C, but with no great enthusiasm and I have wavered between all three options.

 

 

 

 

But what would you open if playing a strong club? 1♥ presumably? It still might leave the club suit as unmentioned.

Sir,Playing a strong club system the opening will be 2 CLUB and not 1H.We play precision (wei) or Super Precision and have the bids to show 5 carder hearts after that.As you know the 2C by way of HCP shows 11-15 only. Kindly pardon me .

[Cyberyeti]

(Sorry .No insult intended in the least)who says if partner has xxxx-AQxx-xxx-xx and something similar then we miss a 4H game or slam.I do not like/wish to subscribe to such assumptions of IF.OR.and BUT.(6)If one has been FORCED to open this hand in 1st seat I shall have to open as 1 CLUB as there is the convenient descriptive rebid of 2C.If I open 1H then if it goes 1H-1S-2C ,I do not want partner to give preference to Hearts with xx in heart I dare not rebid my C after that.I shall have to find a new partner.

I ,most sincerely and humbly, wish the BEST OF LUCK to all who decide to open this hand in the 1ST seat.THANKS.Perhaps, i am afraid it sounds more like a novice or does it?

 

I didn't actually mean it as missing a 4♥ game, I meant it as missing a 5 or 6♥ cheap save as opps will surely outbid 4♥.

[Tramticket]

Possibly influenced by mainly playing Acol, but prefer 1C if we open. If it's our hand, 3NT might play better than a 5-3 heart fit. And if it's their hand at least I've indicated a lead.

 

I'm not saying that we will never play in no trumps. It is, I suppose, possible...

 

But when I pick up a hand like this and choose my opening bid, I am not planning for a 3NT contract!

[nullve]

Sir,I shall never open this hand in 1st position.My vote is for PASS. There are certain reasons . (1)i do not like to quote the rule of 20 .(2)T he hand is absolutely useless in defence (partner shall certainly expect from you) ((3)NO ACE in the two suits.(4)Opponents can always overbid us if they hold Spades and Diamonds.If one opens this hand one may end up in a phantom sacrifice.(5))This hand may have a mirror image but in Spades and Damonds with partner.(5)I know someone in the forum

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that

 

J

KT632

4

KQJ972

 

is absolutely useless in defense, but it seems like you might be thinking about the trick-taking potential on defence rather than the offence-to-defence ratio. A hand with a slightly lower offence-to-defence ratio but a slightly higher trick-taking potential on defence is

 

J

KQJ72

4

KT9632,

 

so would it qualify for 1♣, in your opinion? If not, then how about

 

J

KQJT9

J

KQJT98

 

? Or are points still irrelevant?

[msjennifer]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that

 

J

KT632

4

KQJ972

 

is absolutely useless in defense, but it seems like you might be thinking about the trick-taking potential on defence rather than the offence-to-defence ratio. A hand with a slightly lower offence-to-defence ratio but a slightly higher trick-taking potential on defence is

 

J

KQJ72

4

KT9632,

 

so would it qualify for 1♣, in your opinion? If not, then how about

 

J

KQJT9

J

KQJT98

 

? Or are points still irrelevant?

Sir, Pardon me but the hand J-KQJ109- J-KQJ1098 is a legitimate opening in any seat.This hand has only 4 losers and 9 winners as played in either of the two suits Tell me how many winners /losers are in the posted hand .I do not wish to argue about such things in life.As you notice I have already wished GOOD LUCK to those who open the posted hand in the FIRST seat.After all each of us is entitled to have a different opinion.If you have a different one than mine you are certainly most welcome to have it.In life and on the table also all four may not agree to every bid and lead etc.I try to enjoy my bridge and since one is ASKED (or requested to put it mildly) to vote i have voted fior PASS and tried to present my reasons for so.Lastly,I politely say that NO ONE shall be able to convince me to do otherwise.THANX.

[bilalz]

too hard, almost as if it was a made up hand because the spots, suits, position and vulnerability conditions could not be more challenging. Hopefully one of these will point to the right answer when faced with such a hand. As it is, I am stumped. So I will base it another factor: the tendency of my opponents to compete/overcall/sacrifice/penalize. If I am unlucky enough to have even that condition unhelpful, unknown opps and additionally the state of the match not helping me make a choice (I would be damn right shocked if I find myself in this state), my preferences are in this order: pass, 1C, 1H, 3C when playing standard system. Its any easy 2C opening in a strong club system.

[GrahamJson]

It seems to me that pass followed by a 2 suited overcall on the second round (assuming that is a possibility) describes this hand perfectly (5-5 or better, little defense). That being so why make an opening bid that will almost inevitably lead to you having to miss-describe your hand on the next round? Also, even if your opening of 1H or 1C finds a fit with partner it won't necessarily work out well. Suppose, for example, opponents save over your 4H contract and partner doubles. How confident would you be in letting it stand? Yet pulling to 5H could turn a big plus into a minus. If you had passed originally then you can let the double stand with a clear conscious.

[P_Marlowe]

It seems to me that pass followed by a 2 suited overcall on the second round (assuming that is a possibility) describes this hand perfectly (5-5 or better, little defense). That being so why make an opening bid that will almost inevitably lead to you having to miss-describe your hand on the next round? Also, even if your opening of 1H or 1C finds a fit with partner it won't necessarily work out well. Suppose, for example, opponents save over your 4H contract and partner doubles. How confident would you be in letting it stand? Yet pulling to 5H could turn a big plus into a minus. If you had passed originally then you can let the double stand with a clear conscious.

I agree, ... but this is something you decide before you pik up the hand.

You should make up your mind, how to handle certain borderline hands, and do it consistently.

[beauchamp0]

[hv=pc=n&n=sjhkt632d4ckqj972]133|100[/hv]

 

5 card major strong no trump

 

Dealer North All NV

Sign of a good poll: 3 options, each within a vote or 2 of 33%.

[tkmelpaso]

Partner had this hand: five hearts to A, six clubs to AK. He opened one heart, opponents bid to 3 spades, and he bid four clubs. I'm doubleton in both hearts and clubs so took him back to his first bid. Doubled, down 2. 4C is down one. Some virtue in bidding longer, stronger suit.

[smerriman]

Partner had this hand: five hearts to A, six clubs to AK. He opened one heart, opponents bid to 3 spades, and he bid four clubs. I'm doubleton in both hearts and clubs so took him back to his first bid. Doubled, down 2. 4C is down one. Some virtue in bidding longer, stronger suit.

That's a very different hand; I think 1♣ would be pretty unanimous there.