[popovitsj]

According to my basic theory I open 1 in a color with 12-19 points, 2NT with 20-22 points and a NT spread (5332,4432,4333) and 2♣ with 22+ points.

But what to open with 20-21 points without a NT spread?

[aguahombre]

The 20 or 21 unbalanced hands could be added to the 1-bid structure, unless 9 tricks for a one-suited major or ten tricks for a minor.

IMO, people open 2c too much.

[awm]

It should depend on the hand. There are basically three options on these types, and you really need to look at what your distribution is.

(1) You have a long primary major or a true minor one-suiter. For example ♠AQJTxx ♥x ♦AKQx ♣Ax. These hands are very close to making game, because you only need ten tricks in a major. For example if partner has ♠xx ♥xxxx ♦xxxx ♣xxx you have a decent shot at game here. You should open 2♣ on these hands based on "tricks" (i.e. you are one trick or fewer from game). Note that this doesn't mean you should open 2♣ on hands with no points like ♠KQJTxxxxx ♥Ax ♦x ♣x despite the "tricks" -- the idea is that if you are close to 2♣ on high card points and also have tricks, you should open 2♣. Another example is ♠AQ ♥x ♦AKx ♣AKxxxxx

(2) You have a nearly-balanced hand. For example ♠AQ ♥Kx ♦AKxx ♣KJxxx. Sure, you have two doubletons. But they are quite strong doubletons. With this sort of hand it's usually best to just open 2NT, which is right on values and not far off on shape. This simplifies the auction a lot and avoids missing games.

(3) You have an unbalanced hand with primary minor, but not a one-suited hand. For example ♠AKJx ♥x ♦AQx ♣AQJxx. This hand will be very awkward to bid if you open 2♣, since you are starting the auction at a high level and there are many suits to show. Typically on these hands it is best to just open the minor, planning to reverse or jump shift at your next turn (if you get a next turn). Of course it is possible to miss a game. But it's also possible that if partner is passing you didn't miss anything (why must you have a fit?) and if partner (or an opponent) does bid you are way ahead in having shown your distribution.

[ggwhiz]

aguahombre, on 2011-May-06, 04:51, said:

IMO, people open 2c too much.

I agree with that 100% but you gotta look at your hand.

With soft values, too many "quacks" 1 level is better and if your singleton is say, spades or above whatever your long suit is you have little risk of not getting a second kick at the can.

♠KQJTx, ♥AKxx, ♦AQJ, ♣x would be an exception that I would take a chance on opening 2♣ as opposed to the risk of 1♠ being passed out.

It might be important to agree with pard that a jump shift (1♦ - p - 1♥ - p - 3♣) is game forcing, not just a good hand.

[popovitsj]

awm, on 2011-May-06, 08:37, said:

It should depend on the hand. There are basically three options on these types, and you really need to look at what your distribution is.

(1) You have a long primary major or a true minor one-suiter. For example ♠AQJTxx ♥x ♦AKQx ♣Ax. These hands are very close to making game, because you only need ten tricks in a major. For example if partner has ♠xx ♥xxxx ♦xxxx ♣xxx you have a decent shot at game here. You should open 2♣ on these hands based on "tricks" (i.e. you are one trick or fewer from game). Note that this doesn't mean you should open 2♣ on hands with no points like ♠KQJTxxxxx ♥Ax ♦x ♣x despite the "tricks" -- the idea is that if you are close to 2♣ on high card points and also have tricks, you should open 2♣. Another example is ♠AQ ♥x ♦AKx ♣AKxxxxx

(2) You have a nearly-balanced hand. For example ♠AQ ♥Kx ♦AKxx ♣KJxxx. Sure, you have two doubletons. But they are quite strong doubletons. With this sort of hand it's usually best to just open 2NT, which is right on values and not far off on shape. This simplifies the auction a lot and avoids missing games.

(3) You have an unbalanced hand with primary minor, but not a one-suited hand. For example ♠AKJx ♥x ♦AQx ♣AQJxx. This hand will be very awkward to bid if you open 2♣, since you are starting the auction at a high level and there are many suits to show. Typically on these hands it is best to just open the minor, planning to reverse or jump shift at your next turn (if you get a next turn). Of course it is possible to miss a game. But it's also possible that if partner is passing you didn't miss anything (why must you have a fit?) and if partner (or an opponent) does bid you are way ahead in having shown your distribution.

Ty very much! This helps me a lot.

[aguahombre]

ggwhiz, on 2011-May-06, 11:01, said:

... you gotta look at your hand.

The best advice I have seen on B/I Forum. I try to remember to do that, but sometimes forget.

[Quantumcat]

The reason for opening 2♣ is that you can make game all by yourself even if partner cannot make a response.

If you need partner to have a king or a queen or two or even some helpful jacks, there is no point opening 2♣ because if you are making game, partner will respond to a 1-level opening.

Also if you have a lot of distribution, even if you can make game by yourself, it is still better to open at the 1-level, because if partner can respond, the auction will be way easier for you, AND even if partner can't, your distribution means everyone else at the table has distribution, and they will find a bid over which you can make a rebid to accurately describe your hand.