[dake50]

***PSYCH***
That's why we have these discussions.
Get those devious minds contributing.
1S,1N pedestrian.
3C,2S there's the reputation story.!

[rhm]

mtvesuvius, on 2011-February-20, 21:15, said:

I'd bid 3♥, but 4 isn't unreasonable. 2 is absolutely ridiculous, you do realize you have a partner, right Rainer?! Misdescribing my hand AND not taking away much space from my opponents is always good. 5 is almost as bad, but I have a slight bit of sympathy for it, given that you assume you're trying to get a good board by swinging a bit, since the opponents will outplay you if left to their own devices. Regardless, I think 3 is normal, and 4 is aggressive but could easily work.

First, I said "I know this can backfire". No need of reminding me of what I am aware of.

Second, you seem to have overlooked that partner has already passed. So if anybody is likely to get deceived it is not that likely to be partner. I like predictable opponents. I try not be one and I always enjoy when opponents call the director and complain I do not have my bid.

Third, most people here believe that preempting when outgunned is always the way to go. There are other views:

Let me cite Michael Rosenberg from February,11th 2011 on a different forum:

"You left out what I regard as the biggest "con" against this or any other preempt. You might give an opponent a "road map" to make a contract which they otherwise would not make.

Also, I believe you underestimate how often opponents "find a lucky dummy" and get to a making contract which they otherwise would not reach. For example, when you open 3S with a heart void, the opponents get to 3N making when, had you passed, they would normally get to 4H - which fails on a bad break.

You are biased in favor of preempts, with the mantra "preempts always work". I believe preempts SOMETIMES work."

The fact that LHO has bid 1♠ makes a preempt not very effective. The best time is to preempt before opponents have bid and when you hold the boss suit.

Fourth, there is no rule that the hand could not be a misfit. If they decide to double you with your jack empty high suit you may end up with very few tricks. I do not like to go for telephone numbers even at matchpoints.
With this hand I want to know whether partner can support me. If not, I said I do not stick my head out.

Could it be that 2♥ is not as ridiculous as it first looks compared to some of the other choices.

Rainer Herrmann

[655321]

rhm, on 2011-February-22, 05:39, said:

Third, most people here believe that preempting when outgunned is always the way to go. There are other views:

Let me cite Michael Rosenberg from February,11th 2011 on a different forum:

I wonder why you did not include the link, people may wish to read the entire discussion. I can't interpret his views as being an endorsement of the ridiculous 2♥ overcall, a bid best reserved for the husbands in the husband-wife partnerships at the local duplicate.

[rhm]

655321, on 2011-February-22, 06:18, said:

I wonder why you did not include the link, people may wish to read the entire discussion. I can't interpret his views as being an endorsement of the ridiculous 2♥ overcall, a bid best reserved for the husbands in the husband-wife partnerships at the local duplicate.

With all respect I never claimed that this is an endorsement for the 2♥ bid. l do not need such an endorsement and it was not intended as such.
Before you should start to interpret you should start learning to read what is written instead of using other people comments only to bolster up your prejudices.
I also include what I like. But when I cite somebody, I cite correctly and not out of context.

Rainer Herrmann

[mtvesuvius]

I too am having trouble seeing how you think his quote is relevant to this discussion, unless you think that 2♥ is an "offbeat pre-empt"?

Even if it doesn't mislead partner, what damage have you done? Not much.

I know I like to be able to trust my partner not to overcall constructively with hands like this.

[rhm]

mtvesuvius, on 2011-February-22, 10:02, said:

I too am having trouble seeing how you think his quote is relevant to this discussion, unless you think that 2♥ is an "offbeat pre-empt"?

Even if it doesn't mislead partner, what damage have you done? Not much.

I know I like to be able to trust my partner not to overcall constructively with hands like this.

To say it again partner is a passed hand at favorable vulnerability.
A 2♥ overcall is not a preempt, though it takes away some of their constructive sequences and partner may still preempt on a big ♥ fit.
I am not preempting, because I doubt that it will be effective after RHO opened with 1♠, nor do I want to telegraph to opponents to expect weird distributions, which I have. A preempt has here more to loose than to gain, particularly against strong opposition. And since most on this forum seem to believe, preempts are always troubling opponents, I thought I cite another view, that this is anything but clear.

Should opponents credit me with more strength in the play than I got, this is intentional.
I do not expect my partner to be terribly deceived by expecting more from my 2♥ bid. He will and should of course take my 2♥ seriously, but it is unlikely to matter. I doubt that he will double their final contract because of my ♥ overcall, which does not promise much defense (the worst I can imagine), but if he does I may have to apologize.
That is my assessment. Of course I could be wrong, for example when partner leads my suit from a vulnerable honor holding. But preempting in ♥ is unlikely to make a difference in that respect.

Rainer Herrmann

[Phil]

Rainer - isn't it fun defending a call you don't particularly like?