[jillybean]

Dealer: East Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ A85 ♥ K6532 ♦ 64 ♣ AT3

West North East South

 -     -     Pass  1♥
 Pass  2♦    Dbl   ?

[jdonn]

This is an easy pass, there is nothing to say and no hurry to declare notrump with no tenaces at all.

[jillybean]

And without the double, easy 2♥?

[jdonn]

jillybean2, on Apr 30 2008, 02:49 PM, said:

And without the double, easy 2♥?

2NT is not wrong by definition in 2/1, but I would prefer 2♥. It's almost certainly better if partner declares notrump.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean2, on Apr 30 2008, 02:49 PM, said:

And without the double, easy 2♥?

... or 2NT depending on agreement.

By the way, one can also pass this hand
instead of opening it.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[ArtK78]

P_Marlowe, on Apr 30 2008, 02:53 PM, said:

By the way, one can also pass this hand
instead of opening it.

With kind regards
Marlowe

With a comment like that, you risk having your Forum privileges suspended.

[ArcLight]

ArtK78, on Apr 30 2008, 04:20 PM, said:

P_Marlowe, on Apr 30 2008, 02:53 PM, said:

By the way, one can also pass this hand
instead of opening it.

With kind regards
Marlowe

With a comment like that, you risk having your Forum privileges suspended.

Using the Rule of 20 this is not an opening bid.
The heart spots are terrible.

Some would open, some would pass. I dont think this is a clear opener.

Axx
AKTxx
xxx
xx

This has the same honor strength but rearranged.
This I would certainly be happy to open 1H.

[effervesce]

Pass, saying 'I have nothing to say'.

[dcvetkov]

This is an easy pass, wtp.

I think we should limit the number of wtp hands in forums . I ve seen number of challenging hands problems seems to diminish, but maybe I a wrong.

[TylerE]

I'm normally a light opener but.... I'd pass this hand if playing SAYC or 2/1. Only time I'd consider opening would be in a strong club context or other light opening oriented system.

[gwnn]

Thanks RHO, now I can pass

[jillybean]

dcvetkov, on May 1 2008, 06:53 AM, said:

This is an easy pass, wtp.

I think we should limit the number of wtp hands in forums . I ve seen number of challenging hands problems seems to diminish, but maybe I a wrong.

Should we check with you before posting a hand and then you can reject anything that is too silly, simple or boring for you?

I find people are quick to quote laws in this game, this one being that the 2♦ bid forced opener to bid again if playing 2/1. Im not a 2/1 player so wasnt about to tell them otherwise. Even the simple hands I find interesting and helpful, often more aspects of the hand are discussed. Perhaps debating if this is an opening hand or not would be more interesting for you?

[neilkaz]

TylerE, on May 1 2008, 10:13 AM, said:

I'm normally a light opener but.... I'd pass this hand if playing SAYC or 2/1. Only time I'd consider opening would be in a strong club context or other light opening oriented system.

Agree completely...5332, 11 scattered HCP, poor spots certainly should detract from the two A's one K, and one is not thrilled to rebid after some of PD's responses.

In contrast, Art's hand with AKTxx in ♥ and a side A is a clear opener to me as it has more playing strength and I'm lots happier rebidding this 5 card suit than Kxxxx noting PD's often assume you have a 6 carder.

With the given hand, having opened it, you should be happy to hear the opps double PD's 2♦ response since you can pass and show that you have a min and nothing reasonable to bid. If the 2/1 was 100% GF, and PD isn't taking you back to ♥ with 3 card support for game (lets hope it makes if you're both min), there's a good chance he's got 5♦ and 13 scattered HCP. The opps may not even have a fit in a black suit, and lets see them struggle in 2♠X on a 43 fit with 16 HCP. (OK more likely unless RHO is insane he is 5-5 blacks, but that doesn't mean they have a 5-3 fit nor that they can make it, esp. 3♣)

If 2♦ is 100% GF and PD rebids 2NT the 3NT game will be played from his side and the lead will likely come thru your aces hopefully into a tenace of his.

Even in 2/1 GF, the opp's takeout double after PD's 2/1 means that you no longer have to respond directly to the 2/1 since PD gets another chance to bid. With a boring flat sub-min and nothing to say, pass and that should discourage PD from any slam tries and may lead penalizing the opp's escape, rather than suffering trying to make 3NT with 24 HCP and no real fit.

[han]

Clear pass, but completely agree with Kathryn that that is no reason not to post the hand.

[mikestar]

I don't think passing originally is bad at all in 2/1 with a strong NT.

If you are playing 2/1 with a weak NT, I really like 1NT with this hand, wrongsiding or no--partner bids 3NT on the balanced or semibalanced hands that bid 2♦ over 1♥. The uninformative auction may well let us make 3NT when we shouldn't, even from the wrong side.

Passing in the auction given seems obvious: minimum/subminimum strength and no interesting distributional feature.

[jillybean]

Dealer: East Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ A85 ♥ K6532 ♦ 64 ♣ AT3

Ok you may not want to open this playing 2/1 but I think it is a clear opening hand playing SAYC

[effervesce]

jillybean2, on May 1 2008, 08:39 PM, said:

Dealer: East Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ A85 ♥ K6532 ♦ 64 ♣ AT3

Ok you may not want to open this playing 2/1 but I think it is a clear opening hand playing SAYC

The hand also has 26 ZAR, and is thus an opening bid by that standard.

[the hog]

Pass after 2D (x)

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean2, on May 1 2008, 08:39 PM, said:

Dealer: East Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ A85 ♥ K6532 ♦ 64 ♣ AT3

Ok you may not want to open this playing 2/1 but I think it is a clear opening hand playing SAYC

I would pass, but I usally pass all 5332 hands
with 11HCP.

It is a matter of personal style / preference.
There is no big difference between 2/1 and SAYC
if it comes to (not) opening certain hands, both
systems are sound opening systems, and require
a certain basis strength for an opening.

Oppossite a 2/1 and SAYC opening partner should
force to game with a 12 bal. count.

With kind regards
Marlowe