[jdonn]

I don't even know what saying a bid shows a lack of respect for the game means in this context. The closest type of statement I ever use is that I sometimes think when someone intentionally takes a certain very high variance action (such as grossly overpreempting) it shows a lack of confidence in their own abilities. But I still don't think the game minds.

[the hog]

aguahombre, on Mar 26 2010, 11:41 PM, said:

1NT at all scoring and vuls. And not to reopen. MY 1NT opening was both constructive and obstructive -- to all 3 other players; now I let it go.

The dangers of giving the opps another chance to bid their game, or several other bad things that could happen if we declare --are not obscure.

Yes, agree.

[jukmoi]

gnasher, on Mar 26 2010, 05:41 AM, said:

2 points in the doubletons, chunky suits, no rebid problem. Has it really come to this?

One of the dangers of opening 1NT is that it may go
  1NT 2♠ pass pass
at which point we'll bid 2NT for the minors, presumably. With 3-3 in the minors, partner will prefer 3♣, because we're more likely to be 4-5 than 5-4. And we'll be in the wrong spot.

I agree with this.

[the hog]

"at which point we'll bid 2NT for the minors"

You might. I won't!

[gnasher]

I'm curious. If you'd open 1NT and then pass out a 2♠ overcall, what would you do with this hand in the same situation:

10x
Qxx
KQ10x
AKJx

or, making it a maximum

10x
KJx
KQ10x
AKJx

[aguahombre]

In most instances when you open 1NT and are not asked to do anything by your partner, you should not do anything.

[gnasher]

aguahombre, on Mar 27 2010, 03:14 PM, said:

In most instances when you open 1NT and are not asked to do anything by your partner, you should not do anything.

I thought that until about 1985, which is when I started playing takeout doubles in these auctions.

[Phil]

hanp, on Mar 26 2010, 08:49 AM, said:

(I felt a bit dirty though.)

Yes, GIB E told me this the other day at the water cooler between robot doops. He really thought he was fixed by the 1N opening.

Maybe he was talking to MikeH's friend as well.

[jdonn]

gnasher, on Mar 27 2010, 08:31 AM, said:

I'm curious. If you'd open 1NT and then pass out a 2♠ overcall, what would you do with this hand in the same situation:

10x
Qxx
KQ10x
AKJx

or, making it a maximum

10x
KJx
KQ10x
AKJx

I pass on the first and double on the second.

[aguahombre]

gnasher, on Mar 27 2010, 11:55 AM, said:

aguahombre, on Mar 27 2010, 03:14 PM, said:

In most instances when you open 1NT and are not asked to do anything by your partner, you should not do anything.

I thought that until about 1985, which is when I started playing takeout doubles in these auctions.

hmm. A bit patronizing. but, "In most cases" still stands. Balancing takeout doubles under the overcaller with 2 of the suit and a max have been around longer than that. The OP hand does not seem appropriate, nor does the minimum 2-3-4-4.

The popularization of Leben in the 70's further reduced the number of hands where the NT opener would strike gold by reopening after partner has passed an overcall.

[gnasher]

jdonn, on Mar 29 2010, 05:02 AM, said:

I pass on the first and double on the second.

Interesting. I'd bid on both, as well as the one in the original post, but the one I most want to bid on is 10x Qx KQ10xx AKJx. It seems rather more likely that we can make something at the three level with that hand than with 10x KJx KQ10x AKJx. I realise, though, that the takeout double hand has the extra benefit that partner may leave it in.

[Codo]

I learned the game well after 1985, but take out doubles from a NT opener much later. But I am very sure that this makes the bidding much better, so there is no way that I can and will pass 2 ♠. To avoid this problem, I had started with a 1 ♦ bid of course...

[jdonn]

gnasher, on Mar 29 2010, 03:44 AM, said:

jdonn, on Mar 29 2010, 05:02 AM, said:

I pass on the first and double on the second.

Interesting. I'd bid on both, as well as the one in the original post, but the one I most want to bid on is 10x Qx KQ10xx AKJx. It seems rather more likely that we can make something at the three level with that hand than with 10x KJx KQ10x AKJx. I realise, though, that the takeout double hand has the extra benefit that partner may leave it in.

Partly that partner might leave it in, partly that he might have 5 hearts, partly that the opponents are less likely to have missed a better contract in game or the other major when we are stronger and not 2-2 in the majors, and partly that he might bid 2NT so we don't end in a 7 card fit if it can be avoided. I think that all adds up to a lot.