[Elianna]

Partner knows that you are aggressive (ie, knows you aren't Adam or Mike777), but you did not have a specific discussion about what suit quality you must have.

Or if you prefer, you can answer the question, "what would you like to be able to bid, if partnership standards were not an issue?"

In other words, this should be very quick, I'm just curious what the rest of the forums think about this hand. Don't take a lot of time, it's not a real problem.

[Echognome]

All white I'm opening 4♥ with the good shape.

[655321]

4♥

[jdonn]

So the question is what would I open if partner would expect a hand like this for that opening? Then 4♥ at only this vul, 3 at any other.

Edit: I misremembered the vul as w/r. So 3♥ in the given problem, 4 just at w/r.

[mikeh]

pass

I know, I am revealing my age, but I would open this only at favourable or at mps if white.

[whereagles]

2♥, pretending I have a 0634

[mtvesuvius]

I would bid 3♥ unless w/r; then 4♥. This is something that I establish with my partners: That I hold no restrictions when pre-empting. They know this, and act accordingly.

[Cascade]

I wouldn't try anything more than 2♥ and that could work out very badly.

I will show a maximum with six.

[rogerclee]

3♥, middle of the road. I wouldn't open 4♥ at w/r, I think, but it would be quite tempting.

Edit, after practice bidding with Han over 4♥ preempts, I would now open this hand 4♥.

[H_KARLUK]

PASS

[lonesome31]

PASS~

[tonedown]

PASS, come back later in the auction.

[Fluffy]

2♥... replying answers are split into many different groups, but the poll's answers are not .

I also like 4♥, opponent's know it is almost always right to bid 4♠ over 4♥, so you should bid 4♥ more often.

[Phil]

At all white, I think opening this hand 4♥ is mad. Would you do it at all red? Do you realize that it doesn't make a lot of difference (except at MPs if your opponents forget to double)?

All white, I can stomach 3♥ or pass. The hand is too offbeat for a weak 2.

[FrancesHinden]

I would pass.
Distant second choice a tie between 3H and 4H.
If I were playing the Italian first team, I would open 4H.

[Elianna]

I may have forgotten to mention that this is matchpoints

[hackenbush]

3♥. 2♥ if the side suits weren't so offensive.

[655321]

Phil, on Mar 12 2009, 10:15 AM, said:

At all white, I think opening this hand 4♥ is mad. Would you do it at all red?

Yes.

Phil, on Mar 12 2009, 10:15 AM, said:

Do you realize that it doesn't make a lot of difference (except at MPs if your opponents forget to double)?

Well, let's rather say that if we go two down doubled when the opponents have a game the two cases are the same.

There are a number of potentially winning cases for opening these weak shapely hands at the 4 level. For example, one big upside is that it takes the opponent's 3NT off the menu. I have seen a 4M opening passed out in one room where the other room was able to bid and make 3NT over a 3 level opening. The opponents certainly have less room to find their contract. And the shape offers (some) protection against going for a number.

[the hog]

7-4 open 4H

[hanp]

I tend to agree Ron, but with this heart suit? I can go with 3 or 4 at the table.