[microcap]

Rex and I continue to disagree what to open with a long strong major suit and another jack or two outside.

For instance, first hand, you hold

---

or any 7-2-2-2 hand with spades. What do you open? How does it change depending on your position? If you are 6-[any 3-2-2] do you think differently? Does your gambling 3NT include major suits? Does the scoring system affect your decision? How about vulnerability?

Comments are appreciated.

[pbleighton]

I could open this hand 1S or 4S, depending on mood and partnership style. I don't think it matters much. I'd tend to open it 4 not vul or vul in the 3rd seat, and 1 vul in 1 and 2. I'd open this 2S in the 4th.

It's too strong for 2 or 3, except in the 4th. It's not good enough for NAMYATS. I don't know anyone who plays Gambling 3NT with a major suit.

Peter

[Apollo81]

I usually open 1 on these hands (AKQ7th and out). Some exceptions:

1st favorable: open 4
3rd favorable: open 4
3rd other vulnerabilities: open 3
4th: open 2♠ or 3♥ depending on my long suit

[pclayton]

A gambling 3N is for the minors only.

I'd open this:

equal: 4S
red/white: 3S
white / red: 1S

[jdonn]

I would open 3♠ if vul, 4♠ if not vul. Sometimes 3NT is the only making game, but I still believe the odds favor the preempt.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

4S, except red vs. green, in which case 3S.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: Having read the comments, I agree in 4th
seat there is a difference and 2S is enough.

[ArcLight]

4♠ is unlikely to make.
Game is not assured for the opps so 4♠ is unlikely to be beneficial for us if the opps can't make game. If they are insane and always bid at teh 5 level pard will have a chance to double them.

Pard wont expect this good a hand if I bid 3♠.

I open 1♠.

I can out bid the opps, till the 3 level, then they can have the 4 level and see what pard can do to them.

[FrancesHinden]

On a very pure hand, such as this one (with no significant honours outside the suit) I will always pre-empt*. 7222 is not great, as with jdonn I would open 3 vul, 4 non-vul (3S always in 4th seat), but would probably also open 4 in 3rd seat at game all.


*That means I consider a pre-empt the normal call; if I do something different I am beling deliberately a-stylistic or anti-partnership which is of course allowed.

[microcap]

Just so you all know, I watched a world class player open this hand 3NT a while back and win 11 imps when 3NT made and 4 spades didn't. He said he always bid 3 NT with 7-2-2-2 hands like this. That's why I offered it as a talking point.

[whereagles]

pclayton, on Apr 11 2007, 06:27 PM, said:

A gambling 3N is for the minors only.

Says who? 3NT for me

[bid_em_up]

microcap, on Apr 11 2007, 04:42 PM, said:

Just so you all know, I watched a world class player open this hand 3NT a while back and win 11 imps when 3NT made and 4 spades didn't. He said he always bid 3 NT with 7-2-2-2 hands like this. That's why I offered it as a talking point.

Without discussion, 3N openings are for minor suits only.

With discussion, it can be for any suit. I happen to play it that way in at least one partnership (I don't like it, but partner insists, so.....).

I would open this 4S in any seat except fourth at favorable or equal, and 1S in fourth seat.

I would open this 3S at unfavorable, again in any seat except fourth, and 1S in 4th seat.

[Fluffy]

Bad opponents: 1 and let them explain things to you

Good opponets: preempt before it is too late.