[bd71]

♠QJT9x
♥x
♦KQJTx
♣Qx

Dispute with my partner came up at recent sectional after I opened the hand above based on the Rule of 20. He suggested I was following the rule too literally and should make exceptions especially if shy of 2 quick tricks. To me and my (unreliable, no doubt) instincts, a hand with two strong suits like this and very good shape feels like an opener.

Would you open? And does your answer depend on vulnerability and seat?
(I believe it was white/white and I was in 2nd seat).

[neilkaz]

I open as I have enough playing strength with two quite good suits and no rebid issues.

This offsets that dub Q♣ and lack of aces for me.

[Phil]

I would open too. I love the supporting intermediates more than the ♣Q, but without either I'd pass.

Continue to use your judgment and don't rely on things like the Rule of 20 (which are propagated to sell books).

[aguahombre]

Phil, on Sep 17 2009, 12:28 PM, said:

I would open too. I love the supporting intermediates more than the ♣Q, but without either I'd pass.

Continue to use your judgment and don't rely on things like the Rule of 20 (which are propagated to sell books).

yep. and yep.

[Jlall]

I would open at any vul any form of scoring. Yes your Qx is definitely worth a downgrade and you lack defensive strength/aces but:

1) You have 21 in the rule of 20 to begin with. Your Qx cannot be downgraded 2 points as it's better than xx.

2) Very significantly you have the tens of both of your suits.

3) You have most of your values in your 2 suits.


Cue awm telling us about how you will get to a no play 3N opposite a 12 count

[kenrexford]

I would open this, but this is not in all systems an easy rebid hand, barring special gadgets.

1♠-P-1NT!-P-2♦? In many styles, Opener has not shown a spade-diamond two-suiter; he has shown five spades and three diamonds. Better here is 2♣ is 2+ and 2♦ 4+.

1♠-P-2♥-P-? Tough rebid. 3♦ is either an overbid or self-preemptive, depending on style. 2♠ keeps diamonds buried for another round, at least.

[quiddity]

In 3rd/4th I would always open.
In 1st/2nd it depends. One of my partners insists on a 2 quick-trick minimum and playing with him I would pass. The slight positive expectation of opening will not make up for an unhappy partner, and partner WILL be unhappy when he enthusiastically whacks 3H and it makes an overtrick.
Opposite a random I would be very tempted to open. Opposite my strong-club partner, I would always open; light 1M bids are part of the system.

[nigel_k]

The playing strength is fine but you would really like to have more defence. If partner has to make a decision about passing, doubling, or bidding on, he is quite likely to get it wrong when you have this hand.

If you can open at the two level showing a 2 suiter that would definitely be the best choice. If you pass, you can bid Michaels next time but it's always good to get in first. I would probably open 1♠ but don't like it much.

[Cascade]

Opening looks normal. Sometimes you have a minimum. In fact I am not even sure that this is a complete minimum.