[SoTired]

Never 3N because it is too likely that partner is void in clubs.
You have half a trick on defense and opps could easily have a slam, so opening 1C is out. Of course, 2C is out, because if the opps bid 4/5 of a major and our partner doubles we will be lost.

So we must tell partner right away that we have a zillion clubs. 3C is obviously too little. If partner has as little as ♦QJ, 5C is cold, so 5C seems right. If we open 5C and the opps bids 5M, we will pass and let partner decide. But if we open 5C and one of the opps bids 6C, will we hate ourselves?

6C seems too risky at this vulnerability. Let's let the opps make a decision at the 5-level, so 5C is it.

For the trap passers: LHO opens 1H and RHO bids J2N. Now are you happy you trap passed?

[mr1303]

To be fair, the only trap passer is the Sheep.

As it is, I'll bid 6C over their Jacoby 2NT. The 6 level belongs to the opponents
(I open this 5C by the way, but only at unfavourable)

[whereagles]

Why are some people averse to a pretty obvious 5♣ bid?

I mean.. it's closer to 6 than to 1

[inquiry]

whereagles, on Mar 30 2007, 05:00 PM, said:

Why are some people averse to a pretty obvious 5♣ bid?

I mean.. it's closer to 6 than to 1

"it is closer to 6♣ than 1♣" is why people are adverse to 5♣. I doubt any of the 1♣ bidders plan on stopping short of game (either forced on them or not). But if you open 5♣ your partner will, ahem, not think it will usually be this good. So 5♣ might well end the auction when 6♣ (or more) is cold. This is why some are not wild about the 5♣ choice.

[whereagles]

Ben: exactly how do you expect to be able to find the key cards for 6♣ in pard after opening 1♣? I find that extremely difficult unless pard makes a 2♦ strong jump shift

In fact, it's so difficult it doesn't pay for the preemptive effect of 5♣.

[inquiry]

whereagles, on Mar 31 2007, 04:43 AM, said:

Ben: exactly how do you expect to be able to find the key cards for 6♣ in pard after opening 1♣? I find that extremely difficult unless pard makes a 2♦ strong jump shift

In fact, it's so difficult it doesn't pay for the preemptive effect of 5♣.

Well, i wouldn't open 1♣ or 5♣ or 6♣... my vote was the single one so far for "other".

[jdonn]

whereagles, on Mar 31 2007, 04:43 AM, said:

Ben: exactly how do you expect to be able to find the key cards for 6♣ in pard after opening 1♣? I find that extremely difficult unless pard makes a 2♦ strong jump shift

In fact, it's so difficult it doesn't pay for the preemptive effect of 5♣.

Go back and read my first post to find out.

Of course they might interfere, and I don't open 1♣ anyway, but I did cover this issue already that you are bringing up.

[neilkaz]

A red vs white 5♣ opener should be quite a good hand. I'm thinking I may have a king too much, but it is a king and not an ace. So I prefer 5♣ to opening 1♣ and then hoping to jump over whatever the opps bid.

5♣ doesn't prevent PD from valuing his aces and bidding on towards slam, but may certainly make the opp's decisions more difficult.

There are two opps to preempt but only 1 PD to preempt. 5♣ is my vote as this hand surely looks preemptive in nature to me.

.. neilkaz ..