[aguahombre]

gszes, on 2012-January-12, 17:34, said:

Kx xxx AQTxxx xx
Is that hand really worse than than the hand shown??

That hand is better, but that isn't the determining factor. That side KX and the diamond suit are pure for evaluating total tricks...which is what we want partner to be able to do when we make an opening two or 3-bid and competition follows. It doesn't matter whether the KX is onside or offside. One more trick for us is one less for them.

The other side of the issue on what a preempt should or should not look like are content to wreak havoc via "first strike", and hope that is enough to win the board. We accept that our preempts are less random while taking up some room for the opponents...hopefully to be made up for by partner's knowing participation.

[rduran1216]

I decided to pass, apparently that is not good. I saw cons for both 2D and 1D.

[JLOGIC]

I used to pass with hands similar to this (see my original forum posts for example), but there is a downside to that also. I still pass sometimes, but it's not like since 1D and 2D are both flawed pass is best.

[rduran1216]

JLOGIC, on 2012-January-12, 21:42, said:

I used to pass with hands similar to this (see my original forum posts for example), but there is a downside to that also. I still pass sometimes, but it's not like since 1D and 2D are both flawed pass is best.

The problem which is what happened at the table was

p p p 1S
p 2D p 2S
p ?

since nobody passed this hand, it seems I was wrong to.

[CSGibson]

I would probably open a heavy 2 diamonds, but I don't have strong feelings between 1D and 2D in 2nd seat.