[eagles123]

Hi guys,

A while ago I held this hand:

Qxxxx
QJxxxx
-
Jx

something like that, I was in 2nd seat Vul vs Non Vul after a pass, I just passed thinking it wasn't particularly suitable for a weak 2 - what If I bid 2 hearts and my P has an intermediate hand with spades? -. After the hand my partner (pick up partner, never played with him/her before) said I should've opened a weak 2 in hearts...

What do people recommend for a bid

[hrothgar]

Playing standard methods this is a clear pass.

Some people like to be able to open these sorts of hands.
They generally add a specialized systemic bid to show various 5-5 patterns.

[mr1303]

I think you made the right bid by passing. As a good general rule when you start out, you shouldn't open a weak 2 with a 4 card major on the side, let alone a 5 card major.

[eagles123]

mr1303, on 2012-December-14, 09:51, said:

I think you made the right bid by passing. As a good general rule when you start out, you shouldn't open a weak 2 with a 4 card major on the side, let alone a 5 card major.

Yes that's what I've been taught - but as my Partner listed himself as "Advanced" I thought maybe he knew something I didn't. Have to say in 10 boards or so I saw very little evidence of his advanced status, but maybe it just all went over my head

[blackshoe]

First choice: pass.
Second choice: pass.

[SteveMoe]

From time to time you might get a good result opening a hand like this with a weak 2. However I have never seen opening these hands do better than a pass would, and many times the pass does better because it allows you to have a constructive auction with partner, use Michaels if the opponents are bidding, balance with confidence, or never show your hand pattern - concealing information from declaring opponents.

Yes there are tools for bidding hands like these. There are too many things to master first before expanding into bids for situations that are not common. Judgment and skill come first, toys later.

[PhilKing]

eagles123, on 2012-December-14, 08:20, said:

After the hand my partner (pick up partner, never played with him/her before) said ...

At this point it's best to put your fingers in your ears and say "la,la,la."

For on-line bridge, a post-it note stuck strategically on your screen also works.

[fromageGB]

but you want the writing facing inwards, so write on the back of the note.

[the hog]

First choice 2D Wilkosz.
Playing Standard, first choice pass.

[jh51]

1st or 2nd seat clear pass at any vulnerability.
3rd seat I might get frisky at favorable vulnerability. It is likely that LHO has a really good hand.
4th seat I wonder who forgot to open as I quickly pass.

[lycier]

Only choice ： Pass

[Antig2]

lycier, on 2012-December-20, 05:37, said:

Only choice ： Pass

pass is a good choice. Some people may open 2♥ and rebid 3♠ intending to play 4♥ or 4♠. No rule for bidding such hands. Often 4th level works well

[EricK]

When and what you should pre-empt depends very much on your position at the table, your vulnerability, and the opponent's vulnerability. 2nd seat, V v. NV is one of the worst positions for a pre-empt, and your pre-empts in this position should be sound. If anybody has a good hand at the table, there's a 50% chance that it is partner and you do not want to get in his way. If the remaining points are equally divided between LHO and partner you will probably win a part-score battle anyway, since you have both majors. The risk/reward ratio is just not right for a standard 2♥ opening.

[Antig2]

EricK, on 2012-December-30, 01:49, said:

When and what you should pre-empt depends very much on your position at the table, your vulnerability, and the opponent's vulnerability. 2nd seat, V v. NV is one of the worst positions for a pre-empt, and your pre-empts in this position should be sound. If anybody has a good hand at the table, there's a 50% chance that it is partner and you do not want to get in his way. If the remaining points are equally divided between LHO and partner you will probably win a part-score battle anyway, since you have both majors. The risk/reward ratio is just not right for a standard 2♥ opening.

It is a good rule not to preempt with a 4 major, although this rule is rarely followed in practice. To preempt or not with a 4 major is a choice and the benefit is unpredictable. On the other hand 64 distribution is attractive to preempt. Now we have a good hand with 65 distribution and we should certainly bid at some point despite the unfavorable vulnerability and that it has only 6 pts. I would first pass and later enter the auction with dbl or michaels cuebid. Let's not say strictly that this hand cannot be preempted because everyone has his own style and there is no right way to bid hands with such distribution. Another option is not to bid this hand if it turns out that the opponents have advantage in points and good play in minors. This hand has very little value in defance, and bidding may only help opponents find their slam.