[mga010]

You have

♠AKQ5 ♥A4 ♦J ♣AKQ865

What do you open? Personally, I couldn't imagine bidding anything else than 2C (22+). But some argued that 1C is better to find the spade fit. On my table, however, the hand was passed after 1C (by opponents).

If you opt for 2C, tell me if there is still a way to find a spade fit. If you opt for 1C, tell me how to proceed, assuming responder is not replying 1S.

[awm]

This hand is so strong that I would open 2♣, even though it's an awkward shape. My plan is to bid 3♣ next, then spades at the next opportunity (even if this is over 3NT by partner). The cost of this sequence is that we may end up in 5♣/6♣ instead of 3NT, but the hand is good enough that this should be okay.

If I did open 1♣, I will obviously bid 2♠ (GF, natural) over partner's red suit response. The difficult part will be deciding how high to go if partner tries to sign off in 3NT or something.

[Cyberyeti]

This is a hand that can be odds on for a slam opposite a flat yarborough (4♠333) so we need to open 2♣.

Rebid 3♣ then spades.

[mga010]

You argue exactly as I did. I'd rather open the hand 6C immediately than 1C. But 2C looks exactly right.

[mw64ahw]

2♣ is a must with that point count , now
2♣-2♦
3♣-3♦ denies 5+M
3♠ 4xx5 ...