[daveharty]

S2000magic, on 2011-December-05, 07:14, said:

4♠; lefty's gotta be itching to get into the auction.

Double is a convenient way to get into the auction. I would open 4S myself but let's not fool ourselves that it necessarily makes it tougher on LHO when he does have a good hand.

[FrancesHinden]

4♠. My partner would laugh at me if I opened 3 on this in 3rd seat at favourable. Second choice 1S. Third choice 1NT. Fourth choice 2NT. Fifth choice 2C (I've never tried that one, but you never know...)

[Cyberyeti]

FrancesHinden, on 2011-December-05, 15:01, said:

4♠. My partner would laugh at me if I opened 3 on this in 3rd seat at favourable. Second choice 1S. Third choice 1NT. Fourth choice 2NT. Fifth choice 2C (I've never tried that one, but you never know...)

You forgot 1♥.

[Free]

4♠

[aguahombre]

FrancesHinden, on 2011-December-05, 15:01, said:

4♠. My partner would laugh at me if I opened 3 on this in 3rd seat at favourable.

Best answer, IMO, even though 4S is not my choice. Best, because partner is the only one whose opinions and expectations should matter.

[whereagles]

Seems like a canonical 3S. I've used to try 4S on stuff like this and the result was normally 1 or 2 down vs nothing.

The vulnerability only plays a role if you judge opps have something. In this particular case, that is far from certain. Being so, remember the cards take the same tricks regardless of colours.

[gszes]

at IMPS 4s not so much because I expect to make it but
because of my limited defense opposite a passed hand this
bid is a form of insurance with a small window of chance
we might make.

At MP 3S because I am not so worried about insurance as
trying to make life difficult while sometimes (a heck of
a lot more than 4s) walking away with a positive score
(gotta be good opposite a passed hand).

[Zelandakh]

A middle of ther road 4♠.

[EricK]

I would open 4♠. I would like to open 1NT to see what happens, but I never have the nerve. Maybe my New Year's resolution should be to "pluck up the courage" more often.

[AlexJonson]

EricK, on 2011-December-18, 12:13, said:

I would open 4♠. I would like to open 1NT to see what happens, but I never have the nerve. Maybe my New Year's resolution should be to "pluck up the courage" more often.

Then you need to amend your New Year Card, with your new agreement.

[AlexJonson]

Zelandakh, on 2011-December-18, 11:26, said:

A middle of ther road 4♠.

I notice the joke, but you sort of assume there is a road and a middle. The comments on this hand suggest you are wrong and just guessing like everyone else.

[Zelandakh]

AlexJonson, on 2011-December-18, 13:45, said:

I notice the joke, but you sort of assume there is a road and a middle. The comments on this hand suggest you are wrong and just guessing like everyone else.

Not at all. I upvoted Mike's post precisely because I agree with him that there is no absolute right answer on this and it is simply a matter of style. That said, I strongly believe in applying pressure to the opps as often as possible and that makes this a clear 4S for me.

[JLOGIC]

Maybe semantics but there is definitely a right answer in this case, we just don't know how to determine what it is yet I would always open 4S in any seat but 4th. That said, I'd be way more comfortable if I had KQJTxxx, it is possible this is a phantom with the ole stray jack defense, and the ace of our suit, and a side stiff to lead vs 4H.