[Badmonster]

Usually with 22+ points you open 2♣. But some hands are best not opened 2c. One example might be with 3 four-card suits. So, I was just wondering about situations where I don't want to open a monster with 2c. so if it comes up, I'm ready. Any thoughts?

[P_Marlowe]

Also strong 2-suiter should sometimes opened on the 1 level,
at least if your point count is marginial, i.e. stiff honours,
if you hold precise 22HCP and so on.

Opening on the 1 level is a gambit, it can backfire, if followed by
3 passes ...

With kind regards
Marlowe

[awm]

My basic policy here is:

(1) Balanced hands always open 2♣ if in proper range.
(2) Hands where I would open a major (5-card majors) open 2♣ if strong enough.
(3) Hands where I would open a minor (but not balanced) only open 2♣ if one-suited or ridiculously strong.

The problem is that after you open 2♣ with a minor-oriented hand, your rebid is almost always going to be three of your minor. This takes up a huge amount of space, and makes it very hard to show your second suit. Some examples:

♠ AKxx
♥ KQJx
♦ AKQx
♣ x

22 high but what's my next bid after a 2♣ opening?

♠ x
♥ Ax
♦ AKJxx
♣ AKQJx

Again 22 high, but if I open 2♣ it will be impossible to get both minors in below 3NT.

♠ AKQx
♥ AJ
♦ AKJxxx
♣ x

Great hand but I feel stuck after 2♣-2♦-3♦-3NT. Partner doesn't even really need a club stopper for this auction (so 3NT could go down); we could have a spade fit (I don't know that partner always bids spades on xxxx in this auction); we could even have slam in spades or diamonds. Easier to open 1♦ and hopefully rebid spades later in a forcing way. On the other hand:

♠ Ax
♥ AQx
♦ AKQJxxx
♣ x

Only 20 high, but I tend to open 2♣. In addition to the great playing strength, this hand will be hard to describe after 1♦-1M, since a 3♦ rebid would not be forcing.

[KamalK]

Thanks, but couple of questions here.

1. What would be your rebid when P responds 2♦ after you open 2♣

2. If my profile mentions "2♣=22+" do I *have* to open 2♣ with a 22+ HCP hand?

Thanks.

Kamal

[KamalK]

Sorry, didnt mention that the query is with reference to mail posted by AWM please.

Kamal

[Gerben42]

Quote

1. What would be your rebid when P responds 2♦ after you open 2♣

2. If my profile mentions "2♣=22+" do I *have* to open 2♣ with a 22+ HCP hand?

To Q1: Natural, but with 3M showing 4-card major and longer ♦
To Q2: No, but it is usually wise (see counterexamples by AWM)

[coyot]

I play the following variant of 2♣ opening:

a) weak with diamonds (normally 2♦ bid)
20-21 balanced (major 5card allowed)
c) 4 losers with major 5card
d) 3 losers with any unbal. shape
e) (some highcount balanced hands that happen once a decade)

Rebids allow to find:

1) weak long suit in answering hand on a level one lower than usual (2♣-2♥ says "I have jack poo and 5 hearts, if you're the variant, pass", same for 2♣-3♣/♦

2) good slams, distinguising between c) and d) variants.

Now, when not to open 2♣ despite point count suggests?

1) twosuiters that can be bid otherwise. Any strong 6m5M hands can be opened with 1 of a minor - and even if partner is near-broke, the opponents usually reopen the hand for you

2) 4441 hands, unless I can see the game in my own cards. Again, open 1 of a minor and reverse, preferrably twice. An aware partner will be able to choose a good contract, usually on 4-3 fit.

I would not worry about hands with two long minors (as in the example) - with 55 in minors, I want to play a minor game/slam, I don't really care that I cannot show both suits below 3NT.

I don't want to seem offensive to awm, but in his examples 3 and 4, I see no problem.

The 4261 hand screams for 2♣-2♦-3♦-3NT-4♠. Thus I will have shown at least 54, more likely 6-4 shape (in case partner CAN have four small spades. If he cannot, 3NT will be a likely contract).

The last example - I'd never think about rebidding 3♦. In my style, this hand is perfect for 3NT rebid (although on the very high end of that bid). I know that I might miss a good slam if my p has both major kings.
If he shows a major suit, 2NT from me is FORCING and if he bids 1NT, he's most likely to have 3325 shape or worse (=a ton of club wastage, two major kings quite unlikely).

On the other side, I would gladly open this hand 2♣ - but not because I want to avoid bidding problems, but because this hand indeed has 3.5 losers.

As for answers to 2♣, I prefer the 2♦ waiting bid that only denies hands that you need off your chest quickly (that is, weak with long suits, where you want to tell partner that you're broke and this is the only suit you like).
Weak hands with bad shape are shown via the second negative
(2♣-2♦-2M-2NT or [2CL]-2♦-3m-3NT).

[Double !]

KamalK, on Jan 9 2006, 06:17 PM, said:

Thanks, but couple of questions here.

2. If my profile mentions "2♣=22+" do I *have* to open 2♣ with a 22+ HCP hand?

Thanks.

Kamal

I think Marty Bergen's benchmark of whether or not to open 2 clubs is worth mentioning.
"Don't open with a one-bid if you'll be ill if partner passes". This is a good guideline and will usually serve one well, but be sure you've planned your rebids.

I held the following hand the other day, playing with an excellent partner, that (unusual for me), I did not open 2C.

♠ AKQxx, ♥ AKTxxxx, ♦ x, ♣ void

I opened 1 ♥, lho overcalled with his fine spade suit 1 ♠, partner raised to 2♥, and I felt that a jump to 5♣, exclusion rkcbkwd seemed reasonable. The void was one determining factor for opening 1♥ because I knew that I might need to have the jump available to check specifically for the ace of ♦.

By the way, out of curiosity, do most of you maintain your 1430 (or 3014) response structure to ex bwd, or respond with simple st'd, old fashioned Easley bwd? Better decide.

DHL