[whereagles]

Curious about this one...



♠ 82
♥ AQ976
♦ KJ2
♣J84

You're playing straight down the middle SAYC or 2/1. Under which conditions would you open this hand 1♥?

(Didn't poll it because there are way too many options lol.)

[mgoetze]

I would open this 1♥ in 1st, 2nd or 3rd seat. I would pass it out in 4th.

[helene_t]

Maybe playing a semi-forcing 1NT makes it more attractive to open?

[kenrexford]

Tough one. I agree with mgoetze, but the fact that the doubleton is in spades is important to me. It increases the chances for the ability to rebid 1NT to play. If the spades and clubs were switched, getting to 1NT would be less likely, rebidding 2D after a forcing 1NT ugly (I usually have 4), and the 2C alternative with two small is really ugly. If the spades and diamonds were switched, raising to 2S with a flat hand is ugly, and rebidding 2C after 1NTwith Jxx although okay, isn't ideal. Not raising spades is okay, but all sequences end with my values not being where partner will assume.

Contrast with the ideal holding where you switch the clubs and diamonds. Now, a 1NT rebid is likely and a good description, with a forcing 1NT and 2C rebid being a very good description of values and where the values are.

The hand values to 8 losers at suit play and about 12 in notrump. As a borderline hand, I want predicted auctions to be good and predicted rebids to be consistent with expectations.

[mgoetze]

helene_t, on 2014-November-13, 06:03, said:

Maybe playing a semi-forcing 1NT makes it more attractive to open?

I don't know about this semi-forcing business, I play nonforcing 1NT to go with my 2/1 GF.

[mcphee]

I pass. I know the bridge world today will soon be thinking these pails are a 2NT rebid the way openng bid the way the trend is heading. The upside for opening is that if you pass it's possible you will get shut out and our H are sort of decent. The downside is with so few S you may let them get in a cheap overcall and partner thinks you have an opening bid and pushs too much. If you were playing 2/1 for example and partner bids a FNT you bid 2C and then they leap to 3H you are very likely going minus. I would open in 3rd but not be thrilled with it.

[mgoetze]

Fortunately it's not a problem if my partner thinks I have an opening bid, because by our agreements, I do. And if partner has a 3-card invite, I'll only be playing 2♥.

[NickRW]

I don't see the attraction of balanced 11 counts. I can pass these all day

[gszes]

Im a 3rd seat opener due to lead direction and a good rebid under
all circumstances (I also play reverse drury to handle my lighter
openers:) 4th seat (since I am a tad leary of letting the opps get
spades back in the picture)--maybe if I need t mix it up a bit but
normally no and especially at favorable where p could have opened 2s
on smoke.

[Jinksy]

This is another hand type I like to open 2♥ NV in third. We might be in the wrong denomination, but probably not, and we're not afraid of missing game. The opps have less info whether they defend or bid on.

First in NV I would open (even though for us it has to be 1N there), second in I would pass unless NV at MPs (when my P is quite conservative about invites).

[akwoo]

I bid 3rd seat only.

1st seat, opposite a known wimpy CHO, playing 5-card-major-strong-NT-Acol (i.e. 1♥-2♦-2♥ nonforcing) I would also bid.

[mikeh]

I would pass all day long, in every seat but 3rd at white v white or favourable.

It is slightly more attractive to open in sayc, since 1N is now passable, I believe. However, for me to opt for opening for that reason would be hypocritical since I never play sayc.

Yes, if partner were to respond 1♠, I have an easy 1N, and may even enjoy what happens next, but virtually every other sequence will leave me wishing I had passed.

[Trump Echo]

I would pass in 1st or 2nd seat, and open in 3rd or 4th seat.

[the_clown]

Trump Echo, on 2014-November-14, 06:02, said:

I would pass in 1st or 2nd seat, and open in 3rd or 4th seat.

Same but I may open 1st seat fav if I feel like it.

[kenrexford]

the_clown, on 2014-November-14, 06:55, said:

Same but I may open 1st seat fav if I feel like it.

I always thought that the order of soundness (at least with short spades) was:

3rd: least sound

1st: less sound

2nd: more sound

4th: most sound

[jogs]

Open only in 3rd seat. There's a rebid problem with this hand pattern.

Everyone knows 4333 is the worst pattern.
4432 is the 2nd worst.
5332 is the 3rd worst.

[AreyHakaal]

I shall open only in the third seat.8 losers ,broken hearts ,doubtful diamonds,absense of 2 defensive tricks.All rule out opening in 1 st and 2nd seat.

[msjennifer]

We like to play Precision system and hence I shall open 1Heart in all positions.Playing Standard,Acol or SAYC,I shall open only in the third seat and passing in 1,2,or 4th seat for obvious reasons e.g. 8 losers etc.

[frisbee]

If playing 2/1, I would refuse to open this hand 1♥. If playing SAYC, I would not open 1♥ unless Partner insists that this is an opening hand. To me, this is a very clear 2♥ opener in 3rd seat if not unfavorable vulnerability. I would not strongly object if Partner opened 2♥ in 4th seat.

[rmnka447]

I'll pass in 1st seat, 2nd seat or 4th seat. 11 points with only 2 QTs, 8 loser hand. Close, but no cigar.

In 3rd seat, it depends on what we are playing. With people who insist on playing Drury, I'd have no problem opening 1 ♥. Otherwise, I'd consider bidding 2 ♥ if not at unfavorable vulnerability.