[pilowsky]

From a non-robot tournament playing 2/1.
What's the best call for South over partner's 1♥?

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[AL78]

pilowsky, on 2022-June-11, 02:05, said:

From a non-robot tournament playing 2/1.
What's the best call for South over partner's 1♥?

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I'd bid 2♣, I have six of them, and if I bid 1NT and play there, it will be a struggle to generate club tricks barring excellent support before the opps get spades or diamonds going. I will likely make more club tricks if they are trumps.

[smerriman]

The answer to this question is something you decide before opening 1♣. I know people open virtually all light hands these days, but I think I'd pass as opener.

[DavidKok]

1♣ into 2♣.

[Cyberyeti]

I might open a weak no trump if I played one, or rebid 1N over 1♠ if playing strong, but 1♣-1♥ it has to be 2♣

[LBengtsson]

I think that when you have hands such as these, if you have enough bridge knowledge of other systems, it is worth comparing what you would do with them with hands like this where both Pass and an opening bid can be made. Most players do open 11 point hands, but the importance of opening a suit, any suit, is that it is better to have the honor cards in them.

This hand has a small distributional add-on is that the ♣ suit has a sixth card. But no honors.

Would I open this hand in standard Wei Precision with 2♣ where all 11-15 hands are supposed to be opened? I guess not because rebidding this ♣ suit at the three level would say to partner that I have a good one, not this ♣987432 poor suit. Therefore, there is no opening bid to be made in Precision, not even a nebulous 1♦ opening bid which will contort the distribution in the hand, and partner will never be able to picture a hand with 2♠2♥3♦6♣.

But we are playing 2/1 here, and you can rebid 2♣ on this hand. However, partner would expect a better suit than this, and since the ♣ suit is poor with no honors, I would reason to think 'Pass' is equally as good a bid as 1♣. I expect it all depednant on partnership style and agreement. I think the hand probably bids easier if partner opens first except if you are using Drury.

[pescetom]

I wouldn't open, but I would bid 2♧ now. Pass is looking for trouble with partner IMO.

[paulg]

I would always open the hand and rebid 2♣ as I have no desire to play the hand in no trumps (or, to be fair, in any contract).

Playing transfer responses to one club I would show the weak no trump hand with a 1♥ rebid as the chances of partner playing the hand has increased and I've no desire to emphasise my clubs: however this could easily work out badly, so I'm not claiming too much superiority for transfer responses here.

[bluenikki]

LBengtsson, on 2022-June-11, 10:22, said:

I think that when you have hands such as these, if you have enough bridge knowledge of other systems, it is worth comparing what you would do with them with hands like this where both Pass and an opening bid can be made. Most players do open 11 point hands, but the importance of opening a suit, any suit, is that it is better to have the honor cards in them.

Opening all AK A hands is way different from opening all 11-point hands.

[mikeh]

Most good pairs play some form of drury by a passed hand, should partner open 1M and the opps pass throughout. Since that means that 2C is artificial, should we pass and see partner open, we have to consider our options in that entirely plausible scenario.

Some drury players use 2N by a passed hand as a long minor, but I’m not sure that is a great action on this hand.

If you play sound openings, then even with the drury issue I think you have to pass, then bid 1N should partner open 1M and the opps are passing. You will often survive

If, like me, in your partnerships you open (virtually) all 11 counts, and play transfer responses, open 1C and, assuming system permits, accept the likely transfer. Note that some T-Walsh players require 3 card support to accept. I don’t like that style but if playing it I’d accept a transfer into hearts anyway….AK tight has to be as good as Jxx.

In one partnership we play 11-13 1N, and I’d open that very comfortably.

However, while my methods allow me greater comfort than most would enjoy, they’re not much help to those who play more orthodox methods. For them, I suggest passing even if you normally open 11 counts. Then, if available, 1N.

[cherdano]

Wait, we have AK A and some are suggesting passing?

I guess I should say - I am really surprised, and can't imagine passing myself. But that doesn't mean that I am confident passing is wrong.