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At pairs, I would definitely open 1N, not so much because of the value (I think it's on the border), but I think the 2 3-card majors argue strongly for opening 1N, since you will get to your 5-3 fits. Bidding 1♣ -> 2N will get you to 2N a lot when you belong in 1N or 2M.
At IMPs it's a closer decision, but I think I would probably still 1N. But the style I favor involves inviting light at IMPs and accepting heavy, so maybe that's a factor. Agree that upgrading into 1N is more frequent than upgrading out.
minors, positions, balanced hand
#22
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Posted 2009-November-06, 18:35
1NT Unless I play a 14-16 range.
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#23
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Posted 2009-November-06, 19:10
The_Hog, on Nov 6 2009, 05:35 PM, said:
1NT Unless I play a 14-16 range.
yep..all this upgrading in the blind before an auction occurs gives me a headache.
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#24
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Posted 2009-November-06, 19:45
There is no crime in holding the top end of your range when you open 1N.
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#25
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Posted 2009-November-06, 21:51
Winstonm, on Nov 6 2009, 08:45 PM, said:
There is no crime in holding the top end of your range when you open 1N.
Well, actually there might be a crime in holding a hand outside of your range, or in having a range that is too large.
A stated range of "15-17 HCP" is a very poor statement of range, IMO. There is a wild difference between QJxx-QJ-QJxx-AQx and Ax-A109-AJ109x-A10x. By my personal evaluation, including both of these in the same range makes little sense.
whether you drop the first off, move the second up, or both is a decision as to how bid "15-17" really is meant to be.
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#26
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Posted 2009-November-08, 15:37
Winstonm, on Nov 7 2009, 01:45 PM, said:
There is no crime in holding the top end of your range when you open 1N.
I think the correct way to approach these kinds of questions is to use HCP values as a yardstick but measure hands on their trick taking potential. The real question being asked here is whether this hand's trick taking expectation is closer to that of an average balanced 17 or an average balanced 18. Once you understand the question in that way, phrases like 'maximum', 'top end of your range' or 'upgrading' are no longer useful.