[mike777]

In reading an old book by Matt G he raises an old argument. In fact he uses as an example playing with an older player when Matt was young. Since I also played often with this same older player, much later, and learned much from him, Matt's words resonate with me.

"Playing with good p/u partners open and bid sound. Partner can rely on you and it makes partner's decisions easier."

There are many counter arguments but the one that sticks with me is that I find opening lite makes my bids and rebids easier since I can just shut up and balance less. It seems with many of these 11 and 12 hcp hands if you pass you need to bid more later?

Of course it was also strange that:
1) this older player wanted to play with Matt because he was sound bidder
2) They came in third in Reisenger
3) Matt asks older player to switch to Precision, liter openings, and they get killed in Vandy.
4) Older player is well known for his version of strong club system now....
5) Older player told me not to bother balancing or to Psyche, the few who do it well are great players.
6) I note Matt is moving back to USA, cinn ohio, and is playing his new version of strong club, not sure how lite openings are

[inquiry]

Not quite suire what you are asking. Is it, one piece of advice was to open and bid "sound" (let's call it close to Roth-Stone style)... versus open "light" with 11-12, and you favor 11-12 for a variety of reasons?

The style you choose can work well, no matter which you choose. Of course if you open sound, you need to protect more often. But I like to open "light" (and by your standard of light, I would say I like to open "ultra light". And for a reason you didn't list. When you get the first bid in, you gain several advantages. First, defensive bidding is harder than constructive bidding, so if they enter the auction, they are on less certain footing. Second, it might get partner off to the "right lead", and then a variety of other reasons.

But the best thing to do is find a style that fits your personality and that you can feel comfortable using, then use that.

[Flame]

I remember reading that book, i dont think he claimed or anyone can claim that sounds openings are supirior, he said any style has its ups and down. what he did is telling you that there is alot of psychologic factors in bridge and by being a sloid player, by having you bid, by not making silly mistakes, by not making "smart" moves, you will become a player that partners can count on, player who other players wants as a partner.
Its not fun when your partner makes moves and prevent you from effecting the score. In his example he played with better player and as such the best is for the less good player to be solid, not make mistakes, and for the better player to do the smart things and give it the last push.
For my expirence this is all very true.
One claim that he did is today ppl tend to open light, then if u like to do things differently so u will score less avarages and have more chances wining (atleast short turneys), or if u just have more fun beingdifferent, then you should consider solid old fationed openings.