[Jstroke]

I saw this hand opened at 1D in third chair.

A9XX A9XX AQXX X

Of course LHO bid clubs.  

But is 1D the best place to open this hand in 3rd chair?

[inquiry]

What else?

[Jstroke]

What happens as the strength of the hand is decreased
or as strength becomes more concentrated.  

Should these hands also be opened 1D?

Axxx Axxx Axxx x
Axxx Axxx Kxxx x  
Axxx Axxx QJxx x
KJxx KJxx QJxx x
KQxx KQxx Jxxx x
AKxx AKxx xxxx x
AQJx Axxx xxxx x
AKQJ Jxxx xxxx x

[Codo]

Hi J,

reagarding your first hand, I think inquiry said all, what is to say. Maybe he needed too many words, but he is just right.
To your other hands:
Axxx Axxx Axxx x             1 D
Axxx Axxx Kxxx x             1 D
Axxx Axxx QJxx x             1D or pass
KJxx KJxx QJxx x              pass
KQxx KQxx Jxxx x            pass
AKxx AKxx xxxx x             1 D
AQJx Axxx xxxx x             1 D
AKQJ Jxxx xxxx x              1 Spade or pass

Kidn Regards

Roland

[inquiry]

Quote

What happens as the strength of the hand is decreased
or as strength becomes more concentrated.  

Should these hands also be opened 1D?

Axxx Axxx Axxx x
Axxx Axxx Kxxx x  
Axxx Axxx QJxx x
KJxx KJxx QJxx x
KQxx KQxx Jxxx x
AKxx AKxx xxxx x
AQJx Axxx xxxx x
AKQJ Jxxx xxxx x

As the stregnth of the hand is decreased, you have to decide if a strategic bid is acceptible. Your last hand (SAKQJ Jxxx xxxx x), I would open 1S in third seat at basically any form of the game where I decide to bid in third seat.

I most often open strong four card majors in third seat  primarily at matchpoints where I want partner to lead that suit and I plan on doing no further bidding.  Thus, with a real opening hand where I plan on bidding again over partners response, I tend not to open the four card major. That is, with a "real opener" (13 or more hcp), I generally make the normal opening bid.  Less frequently, at imps and not vulnerable, I will also open the four card major for the same reason.  If Let's assume for these hand the game is matchpoint at  neither vul...here is what I would open.

Axxx Axxx Axxx x  1D - 3 QT, I open normally. I plan to raise partner if he bids 1 of a major. I open 1D, any seat, any vul, any kind of bridge.

Axxx Axxx Kxxx x  1D - I am still willing to raise either major to two. In first or second chair, I pass.

Axxx Axxx QJxx x  1D - boarderline hand, if vul, I probably would pass. If I am having a good game, I probably would be conservative and pass. I am not that wild about partner leading a Diamond, but I have good support for either major (the most likely response by partner). So I open. First second chair I pass.  

KJxx KJxx QJxx x   Pass. I have the major support, but if we belong in the auction, maybe I can double back in.

KQxx KQxx Jxxx x  Pass - I surely don't want to encourage a DIAMOND lead. I would trot out a major here only to entice partner to lead that suit, but which one would I want lead? I don't know, it is a blind quess. Give me KQTx in either major, and I would open one of that suit.  

AKxx AKxx xxxx x  1H - slightly off center choice (not for dutch players of course). This is an exception to my rule about normal opening hands, bid 1D. The reason is that at matchpoints I really don't want to encourage partner to lead a Diamond. Note, however, that at imps, I would open this hand 1D. In first or second chair at MP, I would open this 1D.

AQJx Axxx xxxx x   1S - at matchpoints for opening lead. At imps I open 1D.  

AKQJ Jxxx xxxx x   1S - at matchpoint or imps. At imps, only if non-vul.

Ben

[Rado]

May suggest following practical rule for 3rd seat opening:
1. If the hand has normal opening values (e.g you will open it at 1st or 2nd position) then open it as per your system.
2. If the hand has less than opening values (e.g. you would pass it at 1st or 2nd) but has very good 4 cards Major or fairly good 5 card major then open it in 3rd , unless you cannot handle some of the rebids
example: non-vulnerable xxx KQJx xxxx Ax is worth opening 1H in 3rd since after any response by partner you may pass gladly
while :xx KDJx xxxx Axx is not so good since after 1H-1S you do not have easy pass, rebiding 1NT may misguide Partner (he may bid 2NT as invitiation if max passed)
best regards, Rado