[carena_sez]

Scoring: MP

---

Please explain your choice of bid.

[quiddity]

I think it's clear to bid with this shape and suit, and I would choose 1♥ for several reasons:

1. Defensive quick tricks (2 aces).
2. Better than expected playing strength (6-4, void).
3. Decent support for the other major. We could miss a 4♠ contract by opening 2♥.

[jdonn]

quiddity, on Oct 1 2010, 01:05 PM, said:

I think it's clear to bid with this shape and suit, and I would choose 1♥ for several reasons:

1. Defensive quick tricks (2 aces).
2. Better than expected playing strength (6-4, void).
3. Decent support for the other major. We could miss a 4♠ contract by opening 2♥.

I agree but would expand upon 3. We have a great hand for playing in any suit but diamonds, due not only to the shape but also to the aces.

[jonottawa]

At these colors, I bid 2♥. Pard knows I have more than zip and pip here. If I were NV I would open 1♥.

[bucky]

I would not consider PASS or 2♥. I think OP ought to offer the choice of 3♥ in the poll. In any case I think 1♥ is a standout.

[Siegmund]

I pass, but have no serious objection to anyone who thinks it's good enough to open 1H. I do have quite a few objections to 2H

[the hog]

2H for me playing 2/1. 1H is asking for trouble.

[655321]

1♥ looks normal to me, don't like pass or 2♥.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I voted 2H, but I dont mind pass.

In the end this is something to discuss with partner.
You have 2 Aces and a void, so you have lots of defence, more than
p will expect, but than you are red vs. green, and at those colors p
may already expect a sub min. opening hand for 2H.

I wont open 1H, basically I req. 10HCP for an opening bid, and that is
nothing to discuss, that is a hard req., somewhere you need to draw
the line, that you will never cross.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[1eyedjack]

I voted for Pass. I keep hearing the maxim trotted out that there is no such hand as one that falls between a 1H and 2H opener, but I have never seen a convincing argument.

[carena_sez]

Thanks for thoughts everyone.

The debate about whether it's too good for 2♥, but not good enough for 1♥ is an interesting one.

The K & R Evaluator says that (9xx AJT8xx A8xx ---) = 13.70 points on their evaluation scale.

http://www.jeff-goldsmith.org/cgi-bin/knr....9xx+AJt8xx+A8xx



Change the shape tho and the same cards, but different distribution and

K&R (9xx AJT8xx A8 xx) = 11.90

K&R (9xx AJT8xx A 8xx) = 11.50

So maybe it's the Aces and the powerful shape that make it worth 1♥ opener rather than pass or 2♥?


I must say I didn't consider including 3♥ in the poll, but perhaps I should have.

I suspect some will have same distaste for pre-empting with 2 Aces?

[1eyedjack]

I don't think that it is necessarily all about being "too good" for 2H and "not good enough" for 1H. There are other factors in play, such as having too much defense for 2H and not enough offense for 1H. Or too much in the other major for a hand that is otherwise about right in strength for weak 2.

Sure this hand has a lot of offense when a fit is found. Trouble is that partner will drive the level up opposite a 1 opener just on points when there is no decent fit. At least that is what my partners do.

If passing first and then coming in is used to show this sort of hand, then job done. The obvious drawback in passing first is that opponents may not leave you with a convenient opportunity to show the hand next time at a safe level.

[hanp]

I think no experienced bridge player would ever open a weak 2 with this.

[jillybean]

1♥, my partner expects aggressive openings but I'd open it with a p/u partner too.

[jillybean]

jillybean, on Oct 2 2010, 11:04 AM, said:

1♥, my partner expects aggressive openings but I'd open it with a p/u partner too.

Correction. I was wrong, my partner opens 2♥

[Phil]

hanp, on Oct 2 2010, 12:48 PM, said:

I think no experienced bridge player would ever open a weak 2 with this.

No is an overbid.

I would open 1♥ here and 1♥ on the other thread where the hand is very close.

I'm prepared to apologize if we get to a lousy 3N.

[CSGibson]

I pass with this, 2nd choice 1♥. I don't think its right to bid a weak 2 on a hand that has slam potential in two other suits, and I don't think that an initial opening bid is a good description of this hand, either. I will lie in the weeds on this one, and hope that the bidding will leave me better placed on the next round.

[whereagles]

There is no hand that is too strong for 2, too weak for 1.

This one I'd open 1♥, mostly because I hate opening weak 2s on two aces.

[pooltuna]

CSGibson, on Oct 3 2010, 02:18 AM, said:

I pass with this, 2nd choice 1♥. I don't think its right to bid a weak 2 on a hand that has slam potential in two other suits, and I don't think that an initial opening bid is a good description of this hand, either. I will lie in the weeds on this one, and hope that the bidding will leave me better placed on the next round.

WHAT!!! A voice of reason in the darkness? QUICK! RUN!! Before the BBF average poster lynch mob catches you

[jillybean]

I understand pass and 1♥, I don't understand 2♥ at all. Would the 2♥ bidders care to explain their choice?