mikeh, on 2014-August-20, 14:09, said:
Late to the party but I pass.
If I were to open, it would be 3♣ but I see too many down sides.
In no particular order:
1. they get to bid and make a major suit game. Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No.
2. partner stretches and we go minus on a hand on which we could have passed it out
3. we go down in 3♣. I wouldn't see that as a big risk, but it could happen if partner's 7-8 hcp were in the majors
The upsides are we make 3♣ (maybe an o/t or 2), or partner bids and we make a game. Maybe they compete and go down.
My sense is that on balance the downsides outweigh the upsides, but this is a gut sense and I accept that the experience of others may lead them to be more optimistic.
If I were to open, it would be 3♣ but I see too many down sides.
In no particular order:
1. they get to bid and make a major suit game. Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No.
2. partner stretches and we go minus on a hand on which we could have passed it out
3. we go down in 3♣. I wouldn't see that as a big risk, but it could happen if partner's 7-8 hcp were in the majors
The upsides are we make 3♣ (maybe an o/t or 2), or partner bids and we make a game. Maybe they compete and go down.
My sense is that on balance the downsides outweigh the upsides, but this is a gut sense and I accept that the experience of others may lead them to be more optimistic.
Now I agree with all the downsides and upsides you listed. What I do not understand is the conclusion. How on earth these downsides you listed overweights the upsides? I know there are 3 downsides in your list vs 2 upsides but that's not how we calculate and you are good enough to know this boss, c'mon :-)