[SimonFa]

BBO pick up partner says he's playing SAYC.

R v W.

I picked up:

♠KQT75
♥K9862
♦T9
♣6

bidding goes:

P-(P)-??

Balance 1♠ or even bid 2♠?

In practice I passed as I wasn't sure about partner.

Luckily ops talked themselves into a 6♣X -3 contract so all was not lost.

But the question is: should I borrow a K from P and balance 1♠ or bid a weak 2♠? Or maybe something else?

On reflection I reckon I should have bid 2♠ to try to shut out leftie.

[ArtK78]

Sorry, I don't think I quite understand the question.

The bidding diagram indicates that you are in third seat after two passes. If that is correct, you are not balancing, and you should not be "borrowing" anything from partner.

Opening 2♠ in third seat on this hand is not a terrible idea, except at this vulnerability. Partner (even as a passed hand) will expect a longer suit for a vul 2♠ opening and may push one level too far when you should be defending. This is especially true when your 2♠ opening succeeds in getting the opps to the wrong spot - 3 or 4♥.

I would certainly open 2♠ nonvul (even at equal nonvul).

Vulnerable after two passes it is not unreasonble to open 1♠. You have an easy rebid over anything partner bids, and you take away the one level from the opps. And your hand isn't that bad. Who knows? You may even make a major suit game.

[aguahombre]

With 8 HCP and no bid which describes the hand, I choose no bid at this time.

[VM1973]

I was taught the rule of 15... that is, you should open light in 3rd seat if your HCPs plus spades add up to 15. I believe this hand only adds up to 13. I can sympathize with those who would open 2♠ on this hand, but I would not.

I look forward to the downraves that will inevitably accompany this opinion.

[Bbradley62]

VM1973, on 2011-July-09, 07:56, said:

I look forward to the downraves that will inevitably accompany this opinion.

Wouldn't want to disappoint...
Rule of 15 is applicable in fourth seat, not third seat. Many references are possible, but this one is from Marty Bergen's "Points Schmoints" (http://www.bridgehan..._schmoints1.htm):

Quote

The Spades Have It — The Rule of 15

After three passes, you are looking at a borderline hand. Should you open, or pass hoping that your next hand will be better?

The answer is to use The Rule of 15:

Fourth hand should open if your HCP plus number of spades totals 15 or more.

[Phil]

I think 2♠ is awful. I would open 1♠, and wouldn't dream of passing.

[Bbradley62]

Phil, on 2011-July-09, 12:14, said:

I think 2♠ is awful. I would open 1♠, and wouldn't dream of passing.

Completely agree with this.