[Flameous]

I don't have opening hand (in any limited opening system I do), I have a six card suit even with some texture, I pre-empt. I'm slightly influenced by that 2S from partner is semiforcing, so he bids more often -> we get to 4S when it's right.

I'm don't think it's huge problem having two aces for a pre-empt. Maybe we miss a chance to double their partial or something which we could do after 1♥ but I don't see it happening too often. (Now if they were two side suit aces, I'd totally agree)

For me each hand tends to be either opening or pre-empt, no passing in between

[NickRW]

Personally, I don't undersand 2♥. At the colours it is maybe not too strong - but never the less it is on the strong side for a preempt. It also has some defensive capability and will play in two other suits.

Playing any system or style where light opening bids are part of the scene, it is imo, a wtp 1♥. I've never played 2/1 or any system that really demands sound openings - but I can understand a 2/1er passing it.

Nick

[Flame]

I've voted for 1H, but 2H at this vul is not so bad, the 2 aces and the overall strengh doesnt bother me much, the 3 spades is probebly the only real resson I'd go for the 1H rather then 2H.

[the hog]

jillybean, on Oct 4 2010, 01:27 AM, said:

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

As someone who has no qualms opening this hand 2H, sure.
Firstly unless you are playing an lob system, opening 1H is foolish. Look at Phil's comment that he would apologise if his partnership reached a poor 3NT. Surely this is misguided; you have a nice hand, why spoil it by stating that you have high card values you don't posses?

I understand pass. Pass is fine IF this hand does not fall within the ambit of what YOU AND YOUR PARTNER have defined as a 2H bid. Look at the vulnerability. There is no rule that says you cannot be top of the range for a 2H opening.

Some posters comment on the fact that having 3S is a disadvantage. I disagree that this is a problem; with a strong hand partner can still investigate a S contract.

[Zelandakh]

This thread is actually very interesting. We have strong votes for all 3 of the main choices. We also have strong opinions against all of those 3 choices with some degree of preference between the other 2. For me it is most of all not a pass. My choice is for 1H but I would bid 2H if this did not fall in the parameters of a 1H opener with a given partner. If it did not qualify for either then I would suggest changing the system...

[Gerben42]

Quote

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

Sure, it depends a bit on partnership style if you can open 1♥ on this. I won't be debating this. My personal style is to pass this when vulnerable.

Quote

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

I guess you should change this in "should" rather than "would". Listen to Han though.

What I've been missing a bit in this B&I thread is WHY you shouldn't open 2♥ on this hand. When you preempt, you have taken away a lot of space from all three players. One of those players is your partner. Whenever you take space away from partner, you should have a hand that he expects. Now what are typical example of a 2♥ opening bid at this vuln? Let me give you two hands:

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I guess there won't be much debate about opening these hands with 2♥ at red vs white. Now, if partner is expecting hands like the ones above, he will make terrible decisions in the further auction opposite your actual hand, which has three first round controls. Remember partner is expecting at most one first round control.

If you instead take matters into your own hand to keep partner from making these bad decisions, for example by reraising 3♥ to 4, you are committing a breach of partnership:

When you preempt, you show your hand in one go and keep silent unless you are asked something. Partner is the captain now.