[barsikb]

Dealer: East
Vul: N/S

---

Would you open 4♥?

What should North do if bidding went: 4♥-Pass-Pass-?

What should North do if bidding went: 1♥-Pass-1♠-?

[Winstonm]

1) IMO the hand is too good at this vulnerability to open 4H.
2) Double
3) Probably bid 2C

[billw55]

The standard answer is that east is too good to preempt and should open 1♥. However some data collected by Richard Pavlicek from high level events seems to show that opening 4♥ on such a hand is a long term winner over opening 1♥. Not really sure what to make of it overall, but it is an important topic to agree on with your partner.

[Codo]

1. It depends on your style, nowadays 4 ♥ shows some hearts mixed in your 13 cards and negligible point count ( I exaggerate just slightly). So this hand is way too strong. If you play a style hoewver, where 4 ♥ can be bid with many different hands, this may qualify.
2.Maybe X is the most popular choice, I would pass and hope that we will not miss a vul . game.... But it is really close. Make the hand 3145 or 4234 and I would double without a second thought.
3. 2 ♣.

[Winstonm]

I can see a justification of opening 4H with this hand but not opening 4S with a similar hand.

[kgr]

If East opens 1♥: anyone bids with the South hand?

[Winstonm]

With decent interior spots and shape I see nothing wrong with 1S

[the hog]

 kgr, on 2013-June-16, 15:43, said:

If East opens 1♥: anyone bids with the South hand?

I think a better question is "Does anyone NOT bid with the South hand?"

[chasetb]

 the hog, on 2013-June-17, 00:28, said:

I think a better question is "Does anyone NOT bid with the South hand?"

I don't bid as South over 1♥. The hand is pretty lousy, the suit isn't strong enough, we are Vulnerable, and not only does 1♠ take up almost no space, it gives the opponents extra/more useful bids (Pass and Double, as well as 2♠)

[P_Marlowe]

#1 No. In 3rd / 4th yes, but not in 1st / 2nd.
#2 Pass
#3 Pass, 2C is not out of this world, they wont be able to easily
double you.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Zelandakh]

As Dealer I would open the East hand 1♥. However, if partner were Dealer and passed, I would open or overcall the hand 4♥.

As North, I feel I have to double after (4♥) - P - (P) even when this could be walking into a bear trap.

Despite the poor shape, the North hand is just about worth a 2♣ bid - the extra strength makes up for the flaws. That said, I suspect there are some good players who would prefer to pass here. South's passing over 1♥ is also a bit timid, despite the colours. The excellent spade suit and nice shape make up for the lack of general strength. It is ok if you play a conservative/constructive style of vulnerable overcall though.

[wank]

doubling 1♠ is a safer option than bidding 2♣.

as for opening the east hand, in UK 4♥ would be very popular among stronger players. i think in america it would be more popular to open 1♥ as they're more worried about missing slams than sticking it up the opps.

[barsikb]

Always interesting to read about the differences between bidding styles in US and UK

Thank you for the very valuable answers.

One more question here. If bidding went 4H-P-P-X-P what should South do? My guess is a Pass...

[billw55]

 barsikb, on 2013-June-21, 23:10, said:

One more question here. If bidding went 4H-P-P-X-P what should South do? My guess is a Pass...

4♠ is absolute.

[the hog]

 barsikb, on 2013-June-21, 23:10, said:

Always interesting to read about the differences between bidding styles in US and UK

Thank you for the very valuable answers.

One more question here. If bidding went 4H-P-P-X-P what should South do? My guess is a Pass...

Eh? 4S woud be an absolute standout. I know of no one who would pass.

[cherdano]

 barsikb, on 2013-June-21, 23:10, said:

One more question here. If bidding went 4H-P-P-X-P what should South do? My guess is a Pass...

Double is takeout.

[Zelandakh]

After (4♥) - P - (P) - X; (P), The South hand is a clear 4♠ advance - it is offensively-oriented with great shape and an excellent spade suit. One of the problems with North's double is that South will bid with some less suitable hands where we are going down.

[barsikb]

Thank you! 4♠ then and now I do understand why.