[Hanoi5]

Opening light has always been a trend in bridge. In the '50s people used 1-lvl to show 13-21 HCP but experts always upgrade and now we're opening on Zar points or Rule of 20, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for upgrading and entering quickly to the bidding but it sure brings some problems. There are many people (I've fallen in that trap, too) who open light and then keep on signing off and underbidding for they are afraid of the fur after killing the tiger (that's a saying in my country). After a light opening it is very likely that responder will push certain hands to the limit (especially true on misfit hands).

So, how light do you open? How do you stop or continue when neccessary? Do you have rules or just go with your intuition?

[nigel_k]

I'd like to draw a distinction between opening light and upgrading.

If you open an 'ordinary' 10-11 HCP hand you are opening light. I don't do that except with 11 and a decent 5 card major. If playing weak NT, you might include 11 HCP NV at pairs but I've never understood people opening one of a minor with a flat 11. That doesn't seem to me to have much upside.

Upgrading is quite different and just reflects the fact that HCP are not always an adequate measure of value. A hand that is as good as an average 12 HCP should be opened. In that case it's not a 'light opening' just because you happen to only have 10 HCP.

On the actual hands:

Jx J8 AJ9xxx Axx: Bare minimum 1♦ opening. A weak 2♦ would not be wrong on strength but the defensive value of the two aces makes it a one level opening.

Axxx x AQxxxx xx: Clearcut 1♦
T98xx QJTx K AKx: Clearcut 1♠ (or a mildly eccentric 1♣ calling it 4423)
KJT 9 Txx KQJxxx: A 3♣ preempt, not an opening bid.

[gwnn]

All of them are clear openers except the one with KQJxxx where it depends on vulnerability. I'd open 3♣ in 3rd seat and depending on mood in 1st.

edit: I'm getting undecided about that clubs hand altogether.

[cRi cRi]

I really dont think that opening these hands or not does really matter on the long run, just play what you like and be in the same wavelengh as your partner .

[OleBerg]

I might need to brush up on the subject, but wouldn't even Culbertson open #2?

[hotShot]

This would depend on the agreed system.
I prefer to play a system that has 1 level opener with a useful upper limit. In that context it's easy to open weak, because partner will not expect to much.
In a context where 1 level opener are only defined by a lower limit (e.g. many would open a 25 HCP 2-suited hand on the 1 level), partner would tend to overestimate my holding. This would require a lot more caution with weak 1 level openings.

[Fluffy]

Agree with hotshot, this belongs to sayc and 2/1 forum.

About the question, I think the same as gwnn

[nick_s]

FWIW my one-level openings are:
Any hand with 13+ HCP
or
Any rule of 20 hand with 2 defensive tricks, no rebid problems, and ok suit texture.

Jx J8 AJ9xxx Axx - no. Fails rule of 20. I'd open this 2D

Axxx x AQxxxx xx - yes. And I don't think this is close.

T98xx QJTx K AKx - yes. 13HCP (but I'm holding my nose)

KJT 9 Txx KQJxxx - no. Not enough defense. This is a 3C opener NV 1st and 3rd.


I used to use '7-loser hand' instead of 'rule of 20', but I've run into trouble too many times opening light on 3 suiters. I don't do that any more.

Knowing that partner is promising 2 defensive tricks is occasionally useful when slam bidding.

I guess this make my openings pretty sound.

Of course there are exceptions to everything in bridge...

[dake50]

I use 2m for 5+m without 4x good M to keep auctions 'pure' looking for 5-3M fit or M-stops. Each 5+minor rates minimal opener.

5S+4H is way good. Open these even on average 10s. Of course minimum rebids are signoff -must be respected even in overruling.

[cherdanno]

cRi cRi, on Jul 31 2009, 03:24 AM, said:

I really dont think that opening these hands or not does really matter on the long run, just play what you like and be in the same wavelengh as your partner .

I think passing hand 2 is losing bridge, and it matters. 1 and 3 are also openings.

[Phil]

2 and 3 are openers. 2 has like a zillion zars. c'mon. now.

1 is a weak 2.

4 is a preempt under certain situations, but not an opener.

[pooltuna]

Jx J8 AJ9xxx Axx
no majors, 2 exposed jack, K&R=12.15, only 11HCP = a pass
Axxx x AQxxxx xx
6-4 bid some more, I have spades, all values in long suits, K&R=14.2, easy 1 diamond
T98xx QJTx K AKx
I have both majors, 13HCP, even tho K&R=12.25, I open 1 spade
KJT 9 Txx KQJxxx
no aces, short majors, even tho K&R=12.25 I pass

[inquiry]

Jx J8 AJ9xxx Axx
If I have a weak two diamonds available, I would open that. If I didn't have a weak two diamond opener available, I would open this 1♦ with most partners use to my style.

Axxx x AQxxxx xx
1♦ Easy opener.

T98xx QJTx K AKx
Easy 1♠ opener for me (admittedly even changing the ♦K to ♦x) it has enough to open for me).


KJT 9 Txx KQJxxx
I would tned to open 1♣ or 3♣ depending upon state of match, vulnerabilty, seat. In other words, this one requires additional table feel to decide.

[helene_t]

Agree with Phil.

[WesleyC]

In order of opening biddyness:

Hand #2 1D (almost a strong 2)
Hand #3 1S (not close)
Hand #1 1D (close)
Hand #4 3C/1C/P (depends on position/vul)

[Gerben42]

Hand 1: I would treat this as a W2 in ♦ so would pass if I don't have that available. I normally don't play systems where I have to pass this, though.

Hand 2: Minimum 1♦ opener.

Hand 3: Not great hand but looks like 1♠ to me. Might open a weak NT even.

Hand 4: Doesn't look like an opening bid at all to me. I prefer 3♣ to 1♣ without defense.