[bravejason]

Given a hand with 3 bare aces, would you open it?

I do. If my partner has values to respond, then those values have to be a mix of K, Q, and J. In other words, while my hand is Aces and Spaces, the two hands put together are not because partner has to have to the intermediates. Perhaps having one hand as Aces and Spaces is a bad thing regardless?

If you have something like A6543 A43 64 A23 and partner has something like KJT7 QJ96 KQ8 T95, then the worst that happens is you play a 4S contract that goes down 2. If partner has a better hand or a better fit, then your chances of making the contract go up and if partner has a worse hand, then you will be in a lower level contract or the opponents will overcall and you defend.

Thoughts? Am I off base with my thinking?

[billw55]

There is no hand with three aces that I would not open in any seat, vulnerability, or form of scoring.

[Phil]

Yes you should open. When I first started playing (Reagan was president) I still remember the tongue lashing I got for passing it.

[rmnka447]

3 QTs are enough to open any hand. So I'll open all hands with 3 As or even a hand with AK in one suit and another A.

[Phil]

Yeah AK A is a style thing. Most will open unless the hand is concentrated in short suits like Ax AK xxxx xxxxx. I'll open regardless.

[NickRW]

bravejason, on 2016-July-19, 08:28, said:

Given a hand with 3 bare aces, would you open it?

Yes.

Quote

If you have something like A6543 A43 64 A23 and partner has something like KJT7 QJ96 KQ8 T95, then the worst that happens is you play a 4S contract that goes down 2.

I'd call the director when dummy goes down, 14 cards! Seriously, one hand proves nothing. For example, transfer the ♠JT to the other hand, swapping it for the ♠43. Opener's hand is now something everyone would open without thinking, but prospects haven't improved.

Part of this folk lore about the 3 ace hand comes from British fascination with the weak NT. The auction often follows with P-P-P and the hand may not play well. You don't hear about strong no trumpers complaining about four ace hands, or even 3 ace hands and a king - mainly because partner much more frequently has values to move over the strong NT.

[mr1303]

Partner has 10 solid in a minor and decides to pass it out in 4th seat...

[Fluffy]

Yes, open, on the other hand with no fit, treat 4432 AAA as 11 and invite with 2NT. with 5-card suit that's another story.