mikeh, on 2023-February-16, 09:39, said:
Don’t any of you guys play with partners?
You’ve got a rock bottom, aceless wonder of an opening hand.
Wtf do you think your partner will do if you own this hand, whether you pass and LHO bids 4S or you pass and LHO passes?
David, if your double merely says ‘I have a very bad opening bid but can’t stand letting them play’, wtf do you do with a good hand?
Bear in mind that parter bid 1D. It which universe does 1D promise that we belong in game or slam opposite a partially fitting, aceless minimum?
I must live a charmed life. My partners play me for an opening bid when I open. They don’t infer that I have LESS than this if I pass. And they know what to do to show me that they have a good hand….depending on what type of hand, they double, bid 3N, bid a suit at the 4 level (non-forcing if a minor, gf if they reverse, slamming if they cuebid)
Yes, we have a stiff spade. Big whoop!
Yes, 3S is said to be ‘weak’. Strangely, it being weak doesn’t mean LHO isn’t sitting there with a fair hand, wrong shape to have bid over 1C. And if LHO has a weak hand, guess what partner has?
Personally, I’m quite happy to let partner make the next decision, especially after I make a pass
In fact, this isn’t even close to a minimum pass, in terms of hcp, and the only real mild surprise for partner is the short spade. If LHO bids 4S partner will likely infer that holding.
If he doubles 4S, I have an easy 4N, takeout. If he doubles 3S, I have an easy 4D.
Ok, if he has say xx Jx AQxxxx Qxx I’ve missed a good save. (Edit: tho they probably don’t make unless the minors are both 3-1) Meanwhile, on all those hands on which I hold extras and spade shortness, partner can be aggressive after my double, knowing I have a decent hand
Doubling here is chasing moonbeams. Maybe you’ll catch one this time. Of course, having doubled and seeing it work this time is likely to cost far more, in the long run, since from now on partner can’t trust you to have your values. He’ll think that you think that 1C P 1D creates a force to the 4=level.
Sorry for the rant! I guess my age is showing��
This is nothing like rock bottom minimum opener, I have some nice intermediates, we'd open this shape with 10-11 points and no intermediates.
The hand with short spades needs to act, what do you expect partner with xxxx, Axx, AQxxx, x to do next ? You are only
♣AQxx(x) over the K off 3
♠ and 4
♦ both making (or one making the other -1).
Is there a danger partner bids 5
♦ with that hand, yes, but what does he do if you pass ? Also 5
♦-1 may still pick you up 3 IMPs.
This is a particular issue playing 2+ card club and strong NT as partner with 4 clubs has no guarantee of a fit opposite a weak no trump so xxxx, Jx, QJ10x, Axxx is a guaranteed pass when you could well be making 4
♣ and they will make 3
♠