[bftboy]

I'm just curious to see whether there's any consensus on how to handle this one. Would you bid differently if MP? Discussion of pros and cons of various openings is welcome.

Scoring: IMP

---

[JLOGIC]

edit: sorry thought we were 6322!

I would open 2C and rebid 3D with 7222, seems completely automatic.

[jdonn]

2♣ because I make game opposite xxx xxx xxx xxxx (as well as many other different shapes with the same strength).

Then 3♦ because I have 7 diamonds.

[jdeegan]

K&R hand evaluator rates this duke at 24.7 'points'. After a 2♣ opening, I would be very tempted to rebid 3NT. If you play a 2♦ response to a 2♣ opening shows 2Q's or more, then you have choices over a 2♦ response - maybe 3♦ is best-since your pard promises another bid over your 3♦ rebid.
After a negative 2♥ response you have to place the contract. I think 3NT is percentage, but probably not by much. Your choice depends on table feel and the state of the match.

[bftboy]

I guess lack of responses indicates that it's a pretty automatic 2♣ opener, and I agree. I bid 2♣, P bid 2♥ (5+♥ with 2 of 3 top honors). I bid 3♦, and P bid 3NT. I passed. Was I right?

[TylerE]

I'd respect a 3N bid here. In the context of a 2♣ opener it's nothing special, ♦ may not even be running.

[rogerclee]

Passing 3N is basically nullo.

1) If diamonds don't run 3N could (easily) be down with 5D cold.
2) The opposite is not true, if 3N is making 5D is almost always making.
3) If partner can cuebid anything we are happy to bid 6D, and 6H could even be right.

[jdonn]

You can't pass 3NT. xxx KQJxx xx xxx (not that partner can have that exact hand but you see my point) is on diamonds coming in to make 7NT.

[Fluffy]

1♦-1♥
2NT

what does partner do now?

[cherdanno]

6D is a better bid than pass over 3N.
If partner has ♦xx and nothing else (i.e. xxx KQxxx xx xxx), then 3N makes if diamonds run, and 6D makes if diamonds run or if hearts are 3-3 and diamonds are not 4-0.

[bftboy]

As you imagine, passing 3NT was a mistake, altho we got lucky and got a push. P had something like Jxxx, KQxxx, xx, Jx, or maybe ♠ Jxx, and ♣ Jxx. Anyway, club lead, no luck in ♥ or ♦ and down 1.

If I had it to do over, as a pragmatist, I'd bid 5♦, and hope that P would bid 6 with a fit and a K. A scientist would maybe bid 4♣. An optimist would just bid 6♦. Not sure what 4♦ would mean here, and still don't know what the "best" call is, or if there is one.