[mike777]

Since 2s for me is 7-10 hcp with 3 trumps I got to either open 1nt offshape(my choice) or make some game try with this piece of junk.

14-16 hcp with a 5 card major can be a headache so I try and throw most, not all, of them into 1nt if at possible. Here most of my hcp are in my short suits so....

Ya 5-4 with hcp in both suits should be opened 1major.

[neilkaz]

pclayton, on Jan 4 2007, 03:43 PM, said:

awm, on Jan 4 2007, 11:25 AM, said:

I think this depends a lot on style. There are certainly hands partner could hold where game makes. Basically:

(1) If 2♠ is constructive, showing 8-10 or thereabouts, I think it is right to make a game try. It is not hard to construct hands in this range where game makes, and the three-level will usually be safe.

(2) If 2♠ is aggressive, and partner would make a 3-card limit raise with all tens and some nice nines, then pass is clear.

(3) If 2♠ is wide-ranging and partner could have something like 5-10 points, then pass is probably best. While you will occasionally miss a game opposite a "good maximum" you don't want to be at the three-level opposite the bottom end of the raise, and it will be difficult to stay out of game when partner has a "bad maximum" for such a wide range after a game try.

While it may not seem that way from this post, (3) is actually my preferred style.

My style is to bid a forcing NT with 4-5 counts and yukky 6's. Normal 6's to 8's are single raises.

Super pure 8's with shortness; xxx, Axx, x, Axxxx are limit raises. 9's with 3 cover cards (not counting shortness) are limit raises. 10's are usually limit raises.

A rare 10 count is downgraded: xxx, QJxx, AQx, Jxx.

Based on Phil's style, which is similar to my preferred style, I think his rather flawed 16 points is a bit short of a game try so I would pass, but would not criticize a game try.

His PD however, should be strongly criticized for only bidding 2♠ with a 10 fine HCP, 11 total sup points, and 2 honor tricks. This hand is very clearly a 3 card limit raise for me.

I understand why some of you want to open 1NT with this hand, but I clearly prefer 1♠, but when you open a hand like this 1M you really should decide what to do over a simple raise prior to opening, if you did not, and if not sure, well maybe 1NT could leave you better positioned.

I like Phil's style for limit raises playing Bergen, since with Bergen when ♠ is trump there is always a 3♥ bid available as a generic game try. If play Rev Bergen (my pref) then there is always a game try of 3♦ when ♥ is trump.

This enables one to silghtly widen the range for a 4 card limit raise ! This creates a bit more accuracy from weaker bids.

So often I see players accept game on limit raises after opening ANY random 5332 12 HCP hand, and I don't think the purpose of limit raises is to stretch to game after all of them.

If my PD strongly criticized my failure to make a game try after only bidding a single raise with a fine 10 HCP hand and a weak doubleton, I fear I'd soon be looking to play with someone else. The best PD's are those that realize bridge is a judgement game, and Phil's PD should have said, "Maybe I was too cautious with my single raise, and the cards were right and we missed an easy game. Perhaps you could have ventured an invite, but, it is my fault for not be more aggressive and giving a limit raise"

Just my style and opinion .. neilkaz ..

[Winstonm]

pclayton, on Jan 4 2007, 12:27 AM, said:

I passed and incurred the wrath of my partner who chose to make a single raise on ♠T9x ♥KJxxx ♦xx ♣AQ9.

I thought he has a clear 3 card limit raise.

If I'm making a move, I think 2N is the intelligent probe. I'm not so much concerned about missing 4♠, but 3N may be possible on power, with a flat 9 for instance.

I considered a 1N opening, but its offbeat with a 5224 and a 5 card major. I don't have a rebid problem over the likely 1N either.

I agree with all here, Phil. One thing to consider is that 5422 can certainly be called balanced, especially with over half the HCPs in the short suits.

I am loathe to open 1N with 5S, but I also like describing my hand in 1 bid; ergo, I slightly prefer a 1N opening here as my apporximate strength is given in 1 bid. Also, although I don't have rebid problems after 1S, I am not too keen on introducing 7xxx as my second suit.