[mangurian]

One of my partners and I have had recent trouble with light opening bids of hands containing 4D and 5C.
I like to open these with 11 HCP especially at IMPs. I prefer to open the 4 card D suit and if necessary, rebid C but I am looking for any articles or input on when/what to open with 11/12/13 HCP and this shape.

Thanks,

[Stephen Tu]

Read http://www.districts...%202006-02.aspx
I think that covers the gamut of expert opinion.

A big problem with the 1d ... 2c strategy is that it is a very wide ranging rebid, 12-18 hcp, and to me adding yet another shape just makes life harder, I think one should try to choose limited sequences when it's a reasonable alternative. Partner will often want to make a false preference with 8-9 pts and a 2-3 in the minors, in case you are toward the upper end of the range, and can follow with 2nt or raising his major. But if you opened on a 4-bagger min then you are in a 4-2 fit. Or same if partner is 2-2 in the minors, pulling is normal since you can be 6-4 or 6-5 easily or 5-4.

FWIW I'm in the open 1c, rebid 1nt if partner bids my stiff or I am 2245, raise otherwise camp. And see no particular gain in opening 11 counts.

[mangurian]

thanks for the great link...very comprehensive.

[the hog]

Can of worms.

[Mbodell]

I'm just starting to play with one partner that the NT hands (that can't open 1nt) start with 1♣ and 1♦ promises an unbalanced hand, so 1♦-1M-1nt now shows 5+C and 4D and a minimum.

I'd definitely open the 2245 hands 1nt if that is in range, or 1♣ planning to rebid 1nt if partner bids 1 of something.

If you are (31)45 I'd open 1♣ planning to raise partner and/or bid 2♣ most of the time. A stiff honor might get me to plan a nt rebid (when partner bids it).

Passing an awkward to bid hand isn't a shame. I like light openers, but I'd pass most 11 counts which are (13)45 if the rebid isn't going to be clear. And even passing yucky 12's isn't the end of the world.

[Zelandakh]

The method you are currently using, open 1D and rebid 2C, is really more applicable to bidding systems that limit the top end of an opening one bid - you may have heard of precision, for example. As previously posted, when you make this your default strategy in a system like SAYC it often makes the resulting auctions a little difficult to handle.

Probably the simplest approach is to treat 2245s as balanced unless the clubs are particularly good (meaning the doubletons are probably bad) thus open 1C and rebid either 1NT (normal) or 2C (good clubs) over partner's 1 of a major response. Where you have a 1345 or 3145 hand the simplest default bidding is to open 1C and rebid 1NT if partner bids your short suit, again unless your clubs are especially good (then consider a 2C rebid). If partner responds in your 3-card major then a raise is a good option, particularly with an honour in the suit. It is good to compare the quality of your clubs with your 3-card suit here - if clubs are much better then rebidding 2C is often more descriptive. Finally, if you have a hand where none of these options looks appealing because all of your strength is in diamonds and your other 3 suits are weak, you should consider the 1D opening with 2C rebid route. This should be the exception rather than the norm though.

I will finish by noting that these hand types are an area where there are lots of differing opinions and styles around. The methods above are the ones I feel are the simplest while still being reasonably descriptive and manageable.