[DenisO]

In Reese's book "Precision bidding & Precision Play" he recommends a 1D opener on :

aSA74 HAQ83 DK962 CT4
b)SAK75 H62 DK84 CA862
c)K753 HJ4 DQ73 CAK62

His 1NT range is 13-15

As a precision beginner, I don't understand his logic. I would have thought all three hands above are good 1NT openers. Playing Acol with weak (12-14) NT, I'd have no hesitation in opening all three with 1NT.

I'd be grateful for views from Precision players

TIA
Denis

[csdenmark]

You are basically right Denis. Reese is not the very best source for Precision. I have just checked the Reese book you mentioned.

The standard is:

==BALANCED HANDS==

11-12 Open 1D rebid 1NT
13-15 Open 1NT
16-18 Open 1C rebid 1NT
19-21 Open 1C rebid 2NT
22-24 Open 2NT
25-27 Open 1C rebid 3NT
28+ Open 1C rebid a Forcing bid

[bearmum]

I agree with you Denis I would open all the hands 1NT --- I have 2 Precision books (one by Eric Jannersten and a VERY old one by Belladonna and Garrozzo) and play a combination of the two 'basic' Precision. (Mind you Belladonna's basic Precision takes a lot of learning!)

I believe CC Wei first introduced Precision (?) so maybe a book writen by him would be a good way to start ;D

The only time we open 1D on a 13-15 flattish hand is with 2 four card majors 8)

Quote

In Reese's book "Precision bidding & Precision Play" he recommends a 1D opener on :

aSA74 HAQ83 DK962 CT4
b)SAK75 H62 DK84 CA862
c)K753 HJ4 DQ73 CAK62

His 1NT range is 13-15

As a precision beginner, I don't understand his logic. I would have thought all three hands above are good 1NT openers. Playing Acol with weak (12-14) NT, I'd have no hesitation in opening all three with 1NT.

I'd be grateful for views from Precision players

TIA
Denis

[mishovnbg]

Quote

In Reese's book "Precision bidding & Precision Play" he recommends a 1D opener on :

a)SA74 HAQ83 DK962 CT4
b)SAK75 H62 DK84 CA862
c)K753 HJ4 DQ73 CAK62

His 1NT range is 13-15

As a precision beginner, I don't understand his logic. I would have thought all three hands above are good 1NT openers. Playing Acol with weak (12-14) NT, I'd have no hesitation in opening all three with 1NT.

I'd be grateful for views from Precision players

TIA
Denis

Hi Denis!
Answer to all your questions is hidden in opener's rebid!
With 4 cards in SP suit you can rebid it on 1HE response or raise 1SP response ( even with 3 cards in a)). Reason is your hand is more suitable for trump contract, than for NT contract.
Misho

[Gerben47]

Although I like my NT range to be 14 - 16 for Precision, I think these hands are all worth 1NT 13 - 15. With 4432 the only possible excuse is that you think your hand is worth too much or too few for 1NT (because of the actual cards).

1NT is descriptive and therefore correct. Talking about rebids, have you thought what you do after 1D - 2C? I'm sure that 2NT now shows the balanced hands OUTSIDE the 1NT opening range. If you have balanced hands in the 1NT opening range, you have a problem. The solution is that you should've opened 1NT (Bidding 3NT slams the door in partner's face if he has, say, 6C + 4S and game force. Say goodbye to your 4-4 fit.)

[luis]

Quote

In Reese's book "Precision bidding & Precision Play" he recommends a 1D opener on :

aSA74 HAQ83 DK962 CT4
b)SAK75 H62 DK84 CA862
c)K753 HJ4 DQ73 CAK62

His 1NT range is 13-15

As a precision beginner, I don't understand his logic. I would have thought all three hands above are good 1NT openers. Playing Acol with weak (12-14) NT, I'd have no hesitation in opening all three with 1NT.

I'd be grateful for views from Precision players

TIA
Denis

a) Looks like a 1NT opening to me. The intermediates in diamonds and the club ten are values for NT.
I'd open 1d too on this one. The hand is too suit-oriented for 1NT thes uits have no texture and I have an easy rebid over 1d-1h.
c) Doubtful but I think I'd open 1N

Luis

[inquiry]

Quote

aSA74 HAQ83 DK962 CT4
b)SAK75 H62 DK84 CA862
c)K753 HJ4 DQ73 CAK62

I have to admit, I would open only A) 1NT, choosing the nebulous 1D for hand B and C.

Ben

[DenisO]

Thanks for the replies - I'm beginning to see that Precision gives an extra option. In Acol which I'm used to, all these hands are automatic 1NT (wk) openers; however for the hands with four spades, a 1D opener could be better in finding a fit - i'll have to think a bit harder when I wear my Prec hat

Denis

[hrothgar]

Different strong club systems use radically different rules to determine whether to open 1N or 1 of a suit with balanced hands.

Case in point: Playing MOSCITO, players often have a choice whether or not to open 11+ - 14 HCP hands with 1M or 1NT. In the most recent set of revisions, we're using the following set of guidelines to handle balanced hands.

1. Open 1N with 4333 shape regardless of strength

2. Show the major with 5332 regardless of strength

2. Holding 4 Hearts (and 2-4 Spades)
(a) Open 1N with 11+ - 12 HCP
( Open 1D with 13-14 HCP

3. Holding 4 Spades (and 2-3 Hearts)
(a) Open 1N with 13-14 HCP
( Open 1H with 11+ - 12 HCP

I find the logic behind this approach compelling:

Holding 4 spades, we want to maximize the chance that we are able to show the "master" suit. In turn, this suggests opening 1M with the 11+ - 12 HCP hands (this range is significantly more common than 13-14 HCPs)

In contrast, holding 4 Hearts our major concern is competive bidding. First and foremost, we want to make it as difficult as possible for the opponents to find a spade fit. Hence, we want to open 1NT with the relatively common weak balanced hands, reserving the 1D opening from relatively strong balanced hands. Equally significant, if the opponents do find a Spade fit, responder is much better positioned to balance knowing that Opener either has an unbalanced hand OR a balanced maximum.

[Free]

Doesn't this backfire at you when Vulnerable??? NT with 11-12 HPC

[hrothgar]

Quote

Doesn't this backfire at you when Vulnerable??? NT with 11-12 HPC

First point: Vulnerability doesn't have a significant impact on our opening style. To the extend that I tighten anything up, it is primarily the 2D/2H opening bids.

Second point: 11+ - 14 HCP balanced hands with no 4 card major are either opened 1NT or they get passed. The split range only applies to 4432 hands with a 4 card major.