[jdeegan]

Scoring: IMP

1♥-P-???

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Playing 2/1 with a good partner vs competent opponents. No Flannery.

I used to think it was automatic to bid with this hand with 6 HCP. Recently, I came across a formal way to (approximately) properly adjust for soft values which seems to work fairly well. Add 1/2 point for each ace and subtract 1/4 point for each queen and jack. On that basis, this hand 'revalues' to 5 HCP. My experience tells me it may be worth a bit less than that opposite a 1♥ opener.

Even so, it is a sweet looking playing hand in clubs or opposite four spades.

What to do? Is it as close as I think it is?

[skjaeran]

This is an automatic 1♠ to me. We can easily have a game or even slam on. I won't pass and see partner have to declare 1♥.

Of course it can be wrong to respond, partner might rebid 2NT or 3♥. But that doesn't have to be terrible.

Playing rather wide range 1-openings (I don't open 2♣ on any 20-count), I've got to respond with this hand.

[whereagles]

I'd try 1NT + 3♣.

I'm going to risk missing out on spades because after

1♥ 1♠
2♦

I'd hate having to bid 2♥

[han]

At MPs I might very well pass. At IMPs I think it is too deep, although 1H-1S-2D is certainly a terrible prospect for this hand.

[jdonn]

Hannie, on May 22 2007, 05:35 PM, said:

At MPs I might very well pass. At IMPs I think it is too deep, although 1H-1S-2D is certainly a terrible prospect for this hand.

Great hand for the method I like where you respond 1♠ with 0-4 spades and partner's rebids are transfers. Then I am rooting for him to have hearts and diamonds

[MickyB]

Pass isn't unreasonable - it keeps open the chances of playing in either ♠ or ♣ and, unlike a 1♠ response, stops us getting too high in hearts.

I don't think it is deeper to pass at IMPs than at MPs - yes, a game would be worth more at IMPs, but OTOH we may lose out to a higher scoring partial at MPs.

[redbird97]

1S is a pretty normal response for that hand. If you pass be aware that in a MP field, you are swinging.