[barmar]

Scoring: MP

-- P 3♣ P
P 3♠ P

---

I was North. I decided not to preempt initially because of my side 4-card major and poor quality of the ♠ suit. My partner agonized at his second turn and finally passed, presumably influenced by the fact that I was a passed hand. As you can see, it makes 4 or 5, depending on whether the opponents get their ♥ ruff.

I was thinking about other actions. I could have doubled, to keep ♥ as a possible contract; if partner bids ♦ I can correct to ♠. That might also make my partner think that his ♥ holding is a useful secondary fit, and maybe he would have raised. The field (a club game) was about evenly split between 3♠ and 4♠ contracts (4 part scores, 3 games, and one pass-out). Since our opponents did find the best defense, we only beat the pass-out, for 1.5 MP on a 7 top.

[Free]

A 1♠ opening solves most of your problems... You can't blame south for passing imo.

[kenberg]

I see twenty high card points. OK, high card points aren't everything. I see nine tricks on top (assuming spades come in) You can make ten or eleven tricks because playing the QJ of hearts establishes your two spots. I don't see that anyone's bidding is in need of revision.

Ken

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

a matter of style.
I would not pass, I would not open
1S, this leaves a preempt opening.
Being green vs. red, I would simply
bid 4S.

Having 2 aces, may be against your
partnership rules, ... than pass and
accept, that you missed game.
Be content, since you will get your
points back in comp. situations,
knowing, that partner does not hold
2 def. tricks.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[pclayton]

I would open 3 or even 4♠'s without a qualm. The 4 baby hearts don't bother my, but the overall playing strength and 2 aces does (a little). But I recognize this is a question of style. Opening 1♠ isn't my style.

South should make an advance over 3♠. If you have the understanding that we don't balance in 4th chair after a preempt, unless you have a good hand, bidding is a little easier. 4♠ or 4♦ (trying to get to 4♥) are both agressive, but reasonable.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this one.

[inquiry]

North has 29 Zars... simply has to bid something.

[pclayton]

inquiry, on Jul 26 2006, 12:59 PM, said:

North has 29 Zars... simply has to bid something.

Why did I know you'd bring this up?

[EricK]

inquiry, on Jul 26 2006, 08:59 PM, said:

North has 29 Zars... simply has to bid something.

Really? You don't make any discount for the singleton A?

It is certainly a weaker hand than eg ATxxxxx Axxx x x.

I would call it 27 Zars (and so still open it something!)

[EricK]

Interestingly, par on this hand looks to be 5♣X -1.

Maybe there is something in the theory that 7-4 hands should open at the game level! It applies to both NS and EW on this hand.

[kenrexford]

Add me into the 1♠ opening group. Reverse the majors, and I see more of a problem.

[HeartA]

kenrexford, on Jul 26 2006, 09:27 PM, said:

Add me into the 1♠ opening group. Reverse the majors, and I see more of a problem.

me, too.

[the hog]

I'd open 4S at this vulnerability. 7-4 shapes should be opened at the 4 level - Marston's Law. The possession of a side 4 card Major should be no deterrent. Passing is totally out of the question.

[Codo]

The_Hog, on Jul 27 2006, 04:11 PM, said:

I'd open 4S at this vulnerability. 7-4 shapes should be opened at the 4 level - Marston's Law. The possession of a side 4 card Major should be no deterrent. Passing is totally out of the question.

ditto

I "never" open preempts with a four card major, but this hand is simply a one suiter. I doubt, that I would prefer x Heart on a 4-4 fit to x Spade in a 7-1 Fit.

If my religion, my mother or someone else forbids me to open 4 Spade with this hand, 1 Spade is the second choice and there is no third choice.

PD did well not to hang you for your balancing and bid after your 3 Spade bid.
To miss game was caused by your opening.

[whereagles]

*agrees with the hog and faints*

[SoTired]

1S or 4S... either could work well. I am more inclined to 4S since low hcp.

Too good for 3S, esp since hand has 2 aces. We could too easily miss game or slam.

And pass is completely out... The "back-in later" philosophy is a loser.

The silly "no 4-card major" rule ruins too many good preempts. Even when there is a 4-4 fit, a 7-4 will usually play better in the 7, anyway.

[cade909]

4s.

[jikl]

4♠, 7-4 is too powerful to pass.

Sean