[nekthen]

Cyberyeti, on 2018-April-27, 02:08, said:

Auto for me in 1st 2nd and 4th, might think about it in 3rd.

I think I'd open this in 3rd. 1N for me or 1♣ when I must. The difference is I don't have to bid again so I can pass whatever partner bids. I might even open 1♠ playing sayc

[msjennifer]

Not to mimic someone who will automatically open 1NT%(obviously to make the opponents trod a difficult path), this hand is an easy 1D opener in Precision.and an 1C opening (with its 21/2 tricks ) in any standard system.

[Cyberyeti]

nekthen, on 2018-April-27, 04:47, said:

I think I'd open this in 3rd. 1N for me or 1♣ when I must. The difference is I don't have to bid again so I can pass whatever partner bids. I might even open 1♠ playing sayc

I have a really poor hand to play 1Nx and the 2 passes first increase the odds of that massively. If LHO has a weak notrump I may have done the wrong thing if NV (a collection of -200s says that opening this vulnerable probably doesn't pay)

[lamford]

Willie Whittaker passed as dealer at Game All with ♠A4 ♥762 ♦A8642 ♣A83 in the match between de Botton and Black in the European Winter Games. A swing in when opponents reached game and Malinowksi "knew" Willie could not have all three aces, so went one off. In poker, passing pocket rockets often works; it must be right to pass opening bids now and again.

[Cyberyeti]

lamford, on 2018-April-27, 07:10, said:

Willie Whittaker passed as dealer at Game All with ♠A4 ♥762 ♦A8642 ♣A83 in the match between de Botton and Black in the European Winter Games. A swing in when opponents reached game and Malinowksi "knew" Willie could not have all three aces, so went one off. In poker, passing pocket rockets often works; it must be right to pass opening bids now and again.

Passing 3 aces specifically is dangerous, partner always has ♣KQxxxx and the missing ace when I do it.

Passed out v 3N= tends not to amuse team mates.

[ggwhiz]

cherdano, on 2018-April-27, 03:53, said:

Can you give a link?

Found it.

https://bridgewinner...=640927#c640927

BTW, I'm not critical of the style choice at all. Some players play EHAA it's just not for me but if I had to go to the partnership desk, I would ask a prospect if they would open this. If they say yes, I'll say sorry and keep looking.

[egettle]

ggwhiz, on 2018-April-26, 16:17, said:

It was an ATB hand.

After 1♣ - p - 1♠ - 2♥ opener volunteered 2♠ and responder got dumped on for bidding 4♠ over 3♥ with something like a 4-1-4-4 11 count with their "club fit" of QJTx.

While I fall into the 'open 1C' camp, there is something to be said for partnership understandings. Responder shouldn't go to 4 with an 11 count if opener can open this hand. Perhaps a Maximal Double by responder would be appropriate, so opener can then say 3S and responder is warned.

[RD350LC]

ggwhiz, on 2018-April-26, 12:31, said:

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71% on BridgeWinners thought this was an auto 1♣ opening in 1st chair.

Reverse the rounds suits and I have some sympathy but not a lot. BTW, it was all vul but I don't know if it was imps or mp's.

Not sure I would open this 1st or 2nd hand. 12 hcp, and I would deduct a point for 4333 distribution. I would open this 3rd or 4th hand, though.

[rmnka447]

I'm opening this hand with 1 ♣. 12 with 2 1/2 QTs looks like an opener to me.

[Phil]

rhm, on 2018-April-27, 01:34, said:

A claim, for which no evidence is given as usual.

Look at the round of 8 and higher of any major team championship and examine the opening bid aggression.

Since everyone opens 12 point hands and most 11s perhaps its hard to say its a winning style. But assuming there isnt some collective delusion about this style the fact that nearly everyone opens is very compelling.

[croquetfan]

I was yelled at by an opponent in a club bridge game for passing a 12 count 4333 as I scored up 100% for passed in. This hand is slightly better but not an automatic open, and I am usually too aggressive.

[NickRW]

ggwhiz, on 2018-April-26, 12:31, said:

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Personally I rate this hand as a reasonable 11 count. Whether or not it is an opener or not depends almost exclusively on your partnership agreements and expectations - if you open it, will partner allow for you being this weak in the subsequent auction - if you pass it, will partner believe you can have that much?

Though it is common to open hands like this for many, I haven't seen a convincing argument that doing so is +EV. Considering hands of this type in isolation may show opening them to be marginally in your favour. However, they may have a negative impact on your overall system.