[suleiman22]

Zelandakh, on 2013-September-23, 05:12, said:

I realised this, it is just that if partner did hold the hand you gave the opps would be unlikely to pass it out. But showing the values now rather than feeling forced to overbid later is a good reason for opening 2♣. And there are some other hands partner can hold where we make game and the opps are less likely to come in.

Yep! Thanks for responding!
Suleiman

[suleiman22]

mikeh, on 2013-September-18, 16:26, said:

The reference to bbo history was a subtle clue, that you understandably didn't 'get', that what followed was intended to be a joke, as was the earlier reference to opening 6♥.

While I know, from your many other posts, that you hold a very low opinion of the ability of most who post here, the reality is that most of the regular posters appear, as best as I can infer, to be significantly more knowledgeable than you about this wonderful game.

You may want to read a little more carefully before rushing to share your wisdom with us.

You might also want to check out other posts or the rep of the poster you intend to lecture about basic bridge. Had you done so, you would have learned that Mycroft is viewed as 'excellent' and has a rep. of 120, which means that on 120 occasions, out of a relatively modest set of posts, other viewers were sufficiently impressed as to upvote the post. That ought to make you at least suspect humour played a role in the post.

Man. I had better be careful posting on this site! Better change status to "ultra-beginner" lol.

[mycroft]

Don't worry. It really was a joke - and one that, if I had been thinking more clearly, I would have made clearer for those not as familiar as I with the Laws and these forums. Possibly by pointing to the original thread.

[suleiman22]

I was just making a joke

[mikestar13]

the hog, on 2013-September-16, 18:12, said:

1C if playing a strong C system or Polish Club, 1D if playing a strong D system, Pass if playing a strong Pass system. Have I forgotten anything? Oh yes, 2C otherwise.

Yeah you have. 1♥ playing Little Major, 1♠ playing Fantunes, 2♦ playing Benji Acol, 2♠ playing old fashioned strong twos, 1NT playing Vienna, ... The only systems where a forcing opening is not appropriate is a system that doesn't have one. 1920's Official System, anyone? (Played by Sidney Lenz/Oswald Jacoby in the famous Culbertson/Lenz match.)

[mikeh]

suleiman22, on 2013-September-23, 17:40, said:

Man. I had better be careful posting on this site! Better change status to "ultra-beginner" lol.

maybe I should change mine to 'ultra-grouch'

[suleiman22]

Haha! Very funny lol

[jdeegan]

Your original question is a good one. Using natural SAYC or 2/1-style bidding systems, the general rule for non-balanced hands is to open the strong bid according to the rule of four losers and four quick tricks or better. If your suit is a minor, then you may want to upgrade your minimum by close to one playing trick.

A significant exception arose back in the 1960's when 2♣ became an artificial initial bid for the old two of a suit opener. The problem was that to show some genuine two suited hands, opener had to drive the bidding too high too fast. Hearts and a lower ranking suit are not so bad. Spades and another (esp. a minor) are awkward. The practical solution is to take a chance on an opening one bid unless the hand is extra strong.

Your example hand is not a two suiter. Therefore, you open two clubs. Once in a great while, you will lose a playable 4-4 or even 4-5 ♥ fit. Opening one spade really doesn't improve your chances of finding this putative heart fit all that much. Considering that you are almost laydown for 5♠ opposite the stiff ♠Q and out, not opening 2♣ with the intention of rebidding 2♠ is just plain wrong.