[han]

To answer the original question as suggested in the title, I would steal a spade and add it to my clubs. If it turns out badly I can always say: sorry partner, I had a spade with my clubs, I thought I was balanced!

[pclayton]

FWIW I'd open both of my example hands with 1N too unless I have the methods to bid the hand later in the auction without headaches. I don't go around making problems for myself by testing out pet theories.

Just like Mauro's hand - he can successfully avoid a 4-2 fit with his methods using KI - so if he - or I - feels like opening the hand 1H we can - without a lot of negative consequences.

[mike777]

Chamaco, on Jul 7 2005, 04:38 AM, said:

FrancesHinden, on Jul 7 2005, 09:37 AM, said:

If you won't let me open 1m or 1NT, I shall pass and come back in with a take-out double (or possibly a 1S overcall) to show the majors next round.

If the opponents bid the majors I don't think I've lost out much.

Question 1
Ok, so what would you bid with:

AKT9-AKT9-xxx-xx,

assuming you do not open 1m NOR 1NT ?

Question 2

If one can steal a card for an overcall, overcalling good 4 bagger even if it is supposed to show 5, why would you not do it for an opening (only for specific hands that might have some reasons to do so) ?

I suppose that passing then overcalling 1S shows a weaker hand than AQTx-AQTx-xxx-xx ?

Ok what is the issue or lesson here?

Why can we not just open 1D with originial, 12 HCP hand and 1nt, 14-16 with the second?