[ArcLight]

White vs Red, IMPS

p - p - ? whats your bid holding:
♠ Q T 9 6 3
♥T x x
♦Q J x
♣x x


pass?
1♠?
2♠?
Other?

[y66]

2S, sound advice notwithstanding.

[ArtK78]

If this is real IMPs, as in a team game, to even consider bidding would be insane.

If this were IMP pairs (XIMPs), then 2S is not unreasonable.

[jdonn]

If you must open with this (note: "If"), I truly prefer 1♠ to 2♠. As long as you are putting yourself in a lot of danger anyway you might as well try to sound like you own the hand, and it's a lot harder to nail you at the 1 level.

If the opponents bid merrily to game and partner doubles without real tricks because he expects general strength from me (meaning opponents are nuts), I'll get a new partner.

But of course I'd pass anyway

[neilkaz]

Playing IMP pairs in MBC I've often made garbage weak 2's in 3rd seat when White vs Red when holding ♠ since it does preempt decently. Vs pickup opps, and even those who are experts, my results are decent doing this since they usually don't have their methods down like an established pair would.

However, vs established pairs, I really doubt that it is positive expectancy to bid 2♠ here even White vs Red. If they play lebensohl, they don't have that much guesswork after their takeout double. Other times PD may sac 4♠ and we go down too much. I'm not even sure that we want a ♠ lead here.

There are also times, LHO was going to open 1♠ and good opps nail us for 800 or more when they have no slam.

Still 2♠ can work wonderfully when PD fits and we get in a 4♠ bid and the opps get set in 5 or miss a cold slam stopping in 5 or we go down only 300 vs their game.

All things considered I pass here but make my ♠ suit QJTxx rather than QT9xx and I'll venture 2♠ at these colors.

[pclayton]

Pass - 40%
1♠ - 40%
2♠ - 20%

[awm]

I haven't had much success opening 1♠ on this kind of hand. The problem is that LHO normally has a lot of cards (he's in fourth seat and I have a five-count after all) and normally bids something. If partner shuts up all is well and good, but too often I get an auction like:

P-P-1♠-2♦-3♦

P-P-1♠-2♥-X

P-P-1♠-1NT-X

Opening 2♠ on the other hand, only really backfires when the opponents find a way to penalty double and it goes for a number. Obviously sometimes this happens... but in exchange we fairly often get opponents to miss a slam or bid an inferior game.

Normally I'd pass this hand in 3rd seat, but if I was losing a match or otherwise needed a swing, I think opening 2♠ is okay. With the ♠J added I would probably open 2♠.

[655321]

Pass or 2♠ seem reasonably normal.

You could try 1♠, it might work.

If you want to be a comedian, opening a strong NT can also work.

[P_Marlowe]

2S.

If I bid, it is 2S, but my partner knows that
a weak two in this position aat this vulnerability
could be based on such a hand.

Playing with a stranger, I would pass.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[kgr]

I play Muiderberg, in 3th hand not alerted as Muiderberg but as "most of the time 5card ♠ and 4c minor and weak, but can be different..eg only 3c minor, 4c major, a bit stronger, very weak)." (we got too much difficulty by calling it muiderberg and adding the same comment)
I would open 2♠. (If playing normal weak and having agreed with partner that this can deviate in this position, I also open 2♠).
Note that where I play only a couple of opps are experts. I'll be more reluctant to open 2♠ against them, but I still do it.

[kgr]

ArtK78, on Dec 29 2007, 07:26 AM, said:

If this is real IMPs, as in a team game, to even consider bidding would be insane.

If this were IMP pairs (XIMPs), then 2S is not unreasonable.

Why is this different?

[whereagles]

ArtK78, on Dec 29 2007, 05:26 AM, said:

If this is real IMPs, as in a team game, to even consider bidding would be insane.

I hope I get to play a lot vs you.

2♠.

[lexlogan]

As weak as this hand is, bidding will probably not cause the opps too much grief. A weak two in this (or any other) position is apt to be more effective with around 8-10 points than something this toothless. So trade a small spade for the K♠ and I'd open 2♠.

[Free]

Since this is a pressure bid situation, 2♠ seems clear.

[ArtK78]

kgr, on Dec 29 2007, 06:18 AM, said:

ArtK78, on Dec 29 2007, 07:26 AM, said:

If this is real IMPs, as in a team game, to even consider bidding would be insane.

If this were IMP pairs (XIMPs), then 2S is not unreasonable.

Why is this different?

Why is this different?

In a real team game, if you happen to run into a buzzsaw (LHO has AKJ8xx of spades and RHO reopens with a double) you could lose the match on this one hand. This is especially true when you expect to win the match through sound play (your team is the better team).

If you are playing IMP pairs, you have to take some chances to beat all of the other pairs (not just one team) so the risk/reward situation is much different. If you get creamed, then that is the way it goes. At least there is an upside where you could increase your chances of winning the event.

[ArtK78]

whereagles, on Dec 29 2007, 08:49 AM, said:

ArtK78, on Dec 29 2007, 05:26 AM, said:

If this is real IMPs, as in a team game, to even consider bidding would be insane.

I hope I get to play a lot vs you.

2♠.

I hope so, too.

Don't get me wrong. I open these kinds of hands 2♠ at pairs all the time. But in a real team game, especially in a long match, one or two disasters caused by opening this type of hand could cost you the match. And the upside of opening this hand 2♠ in a long match doesn't justify the risk (especially if you expect to win the match through sound play or if you believe that you are winning the match).

[pclayton]

lexlogan, on Dec 29 2007, 08:12 AM, said:

As weak as this hand is, bidding will probably not cause the opps too much grief. A weak two in this (or any other) position is apt to be more effective with around 8-10 points than something this toothless. So trade a small spade for the K♠ and I'd open 2♠.

Disagree. The opponents have a lock game and a possible slam. We have taken away the 1 level. LHO has a very strong hand (15+) and will probably have to double initially to show values. If pard sticks in a raise, they will start their investigations at a high level.

[jdonn]

pclayton, on Dec 29 2007, 02:05 PM, said:

lexlogan, on Dec 29 2007, 08:12 AM, said:

As weak as this hand is, bidding will probably not cause the opps too much grief. A weak two in this (or any other) position is apt to be more effective with around 8-10 points than something this toothless. So trade a small spade for the K♠ and I'd open 2♠.

Disagree. The opponents have a lock game and a possible slam. We have taken away the 1 level. LHO has a very strong hand (15+) and will probably have to double initially to show values. If pard sticks in a raise, they will start their investigations at a high level.

I think their investigation in that case will be along the lines of what to lead to collect their 1100.

[pclayton]

jdonn, on Dec 29 2007, 11:23 AM, said:

pclayton, on Dec 29 2007, 02:05 PM, said:

lexlogan, on Dec 29 2007, 08:12 AM, said:

As weak as this hand is, bidding will probably not cause the opps too much grief. A weak two in this (or any other) position is apt to be more effective with around 8-10 points than something this toothless. So trade a small spade for the K♠ and I'd open 2♠.

Disagree. The opponents have a lock game and a possible slam. We have taken away the 1 level. LHO has a very strong hand (15+) and will probably have to double initially to show values. If pard sticks in a raise, they will start their investigations at a high level.

I think their investigation in that case will be along the lines of what to lead to collect their 1100.

Against their slam? Cool. Win 8.