[awm]

I've noticed recently that there are several different opening criteria out there. Let's assume you're playing with a regular partner using whatever methods you prefer. Which of these qualify for a constructive one-level opening bid (not counting whatever preemptive methods you use for weak hands)?

A.

♠ AQT94
♥ K83
♦ QJ4
♣ T8

B.

♠ AJ864
♥ KQ2
♦ 984
♣ 64

C.

♠ AQ984
♥ 4
♦ KJ862
♣ 32

D.

♠ AT854
♥ 4
♦ KJ862
♣ 32

[arrows]

A, C, D.

B is not a 1st/2nd seat opening hand unless you play light open by agreement.

[bid_em_up]

arrows, on Sep 12 2006, 03:01 PM, said:

A, C, D.

B is not a 1st/2nd seat opening hand unless you play light open by agreement.

Neither are C or D. (Note: Constructive!!)

While many may open them on the basis of rule of 20 (or ZAR), I will assume we are referring to first/second seat openings in a 2/1 context. These hands do not meet criteria for constructive openings in my methods.

A barely qualifies, and only because of the suit texture in the spade suit.

In 3rd/4th seats, ABC are all openers. I would never open D, regardless of position.

[mike777]

We open light. All balanced 11 counts and less with shape.

So A and C are yes. D is no.

B is technically no but I have seen partners open this one nv sometimes when feeling funky.

[EricK]

The poll choices are slightly odd because I would say that C was the strongest hand there, followed by A, then D close behind that and then B a long way further down.

I would certainly open C, almost certainly A, and would like to open D as well.

[hrothgar]

Playing MOSCITO, A, C, and D all qualify for a 1 level opening

Here's a few examples of minium strength constructive openings with unbalanced hands.
Balanced or three suited hands require a decent 11 count, which rules out B

Hand 1
♠ 32
♥ KJ74
♦ 6
♣ AT9632

Hand 2
♠ 64
♥ A2
♦ QT976
♣ K975

Hand 3
♠ KT872
♥ A5
♦ Q2
♣ T653

Hand 4
♠ 9
♥ AT9753
♦ A65
♣ 842

Hand 5
♠ J87643
♥ AK94
♦ 6
♣ T3

[mike777]

To open an 8 hcp hand playing 2/1 I would need more than 10 cards in my long suits or something outstanding such as:

ATxx...AT9xxx...void...xxx

You start to get some wide ranges if you open and respond really light so I prefer to place some restraints.

[inquiry]

Zar followers would open all but B which has only 24 ZAR POINTS. I would certainly open A and C, hand D I would open with certain parnters, hand B might open at matchpoints not vul due to the concentration of hcp and as long as I was playing semi-forcing 1NT.

So I guess my answer is A and C aare claer openers. Hand D with some partners (say 50/50 opener) and hand B almost never.

[HeartA]

A and C only. But D is closer than B.

[cherdano]

hrothgar, on Sep 12 2006, 10:24 PM, said:

Playing MOSCITO, A, C, and D all qualify for a 1 level opening

Here's a few examples of minium strength constructive openings with unbalanced hands.
Balanced or three suited hands require a decent 11 count, which rules out B

Hand 3
♠ KT872
♥ A5
♦ Q2
♣ T653

To me, this hand looks weaker than Adam's hand B in all respects (including playing strength). So what is the rationale for opening this one but passing with hand B?

Arend

[awm]

Well there are two basic ways to evaluate hands. Either you count distribution heavily or you don't. Of course within this there are a lot of options as to exactly how to do the counting. When I wrote the poll my feeling was that almost everyone opens 5332 12-counts, so A would provide a baseline (and just in case some Fantoni-Nunes or Roth-Stone style players want refuse to open any of these hands constructively that's available). I agree that if you count distribution heavily, C could easily be considered stronger than A, but I'd be surprised if there were many who open C and not A. Feel free to pick "other" if this is you.

[hrothgar]

cherdano, on Sep 12 2006, 11:50 PM, said:

hrothgar, on Sep 12 2006, 10:24 PM, said:

Playing MOSCITO, A, C, and D all qualify for a 1 level opening

Here's a few examples of minium strength constructive openings with unbalanced hands. 
Balanced or three suited hands require a decent 11 count, which rules out B

Hand 3
♠ KT872
♥ A5
♦ Q2
♣ T653

To me, this hand looks weaker than Adam's hand B in all respects (including playing strength). So what is the rationale for opening this one but passing with hand B?

Arend

I agree that Hand B offers more playing strength than Hand A, however, MOSCITO has different standards for balanced and unbalanced hands.

I feel a lot more exposed opening a 5332 pattern than I do opening a 5422.

[Gerben42]

A and C.
B is a mini notrump if I'm playing that.
D is a 2-suited preempt.

[Echognome]

All four in Echo club. However, B is certainly optional. I personally would not open it at vulnerable in 1/2, but I wouldn't mind if my partner did. D is a common opener for us, so that if partner shows a 55 shape, we are mindful that he could be very light. Playing my 2/1 systems, Menagerie MPs or Menagerie IMPs, I would open A and C, but not B and D, but would perhaps open D playing MPs.

[pbleighton]

"While many may open them on the basis of rule of 20 (or ZAR), I will assume we are referring to first/second seat openings in a 2/1 context."

About half of 2/1 players I know would open C.

Peter

[mike777]

Really need to see follow up systems that play D is an opener in first or second seat Vul in some 2/1 style, wow.

[the hog]

A and C are obvious opener's for me regardless of system. D is an opening bid if we play 2 suited openings.

[Flame]

when you play a system like 2/1 you better not open light, therefore a and c are the openings. If i play strong club system i might open all of them.

[Free]

In most partnerships I'd open A and C, but with my regular p I'll open A, C and D since we open light with limited openings.

[kenberg]

A is a decent 12 count with no clear defects and so it's an easy opener for me. C has all 10 of my hcps in my two five card suits so I open it, especially since I have spades. B and D are not close to openers for me.