[bd71]

---

Matchpoints.

Do you take out 2H?

[ArtK78]

Not even close.

I admit that I like to have a better hand than most people when it comes to direct actions over preempts, but this one is so far away from a takeout double of 2♥ that it is surprising to me that the question was even posted here.

[mikeh]

This calls to mind a saying I used to use more than I do now:

even thinking about bidding is an overbid.

[neilkaz]

I act aggressively over preempts, but this hand is an easy pass for me. It has only 11 hcp, only 3 ♠ and a sterile 3244 distribution with many losers. The only redeeming feature is the two bullets.

Vulnerable I can imagine PD taking the push to 4♠ over a non making 4♥ and going for 800 or 1100 when trumps split 5-1 and we're doubled.

This is not a hand I open playing S/A or 2/1 and most definately it isn't a hand I X here.

EDIT: But I would take my chances and X in balancing seat.

[kenrexford]

I would pass directly, but I would double after two passes.

[lalldonn]

It's close but not quite. Like Ken I would double in balancing seat.

[kenrexford]

 lalldonn, on 2012-October-17, 12:08, said:

It's close but not quite. Like Ken I would double in balancing seat.

Take away the diamond Queen, and we might both double if white on white? LOL

[quiddity]

Feels close to me too; I guess I would pass but the two small hearts make it very tempting to double. I'm way more worried about partner passing it out with three hearts (if I pass) than I am about possibly going for 1100 if I double.

[MrAce]

To me it is close also. I would dbl. Perhaps by coinsidence i have been burnt a lot more for remaining silent with those hands than being burnt by bidding at mps.

[Thiros]

The combination of having just 11 HCP, a doubleton as opposed to a singleton heart, and only three spades makes this a clear pass.

[lalldonn]

 kenrexford, on 2012-October-17, 12:11, said:

Take away the diamond Queen, and we might both double if white on white? LOL

Ummmm.... maybe

[655321]

Another close but not quite here.

[the hog]

Pass is totally obvious.

[ggwhiz]

not even close but that's in my partnership style.

We would never dream of opening this in 1st chair so coming in r v w with an unpassed hand pard is nuts.

But that's just our chosen style. We balance like crazy but mean it when we come in directly in an auction like this. More aggressive styles are not wrong but I would like to play against them for cash.

[FM75]

If you swapped the black suits, I would at least think about it.

[mycroft]

I'm another balancer. I overcall strong, and this is "not even close" to a direct overcall for me. But, because I'm routinely passing hands stronger than this (after 10 seconds), I pretty much have to balance with hands like this.

[Lurpoa]

 655321, on 2012-October-17, 18:05, said:

Another close but not quite here.

quite ?
What do you mean Han ?

[Fluffy]

I guide myself by this table against preempts that put me at the 3 level:

act with 10 HCP and void
act with 12 HCP and singleton
act with 14 HCP and doubleton
act with 15 HCP unless looking for penalties.

I use this conservative table because I frequently upgrade 1-2 point for whatever reason, for example 6133 is obviously stronger than 4144 with the same HCP count. I like to think that a 1NT overcall shows 16-18, this way I bid it with many 15 counts but I can talk myself not to do it with 14.

In the passout seat I susbstract 3/4 points from the table, so would bid with the hand posted and some weaker ones.

[ahydra]

Pass, way too flat and not enough spades. I'm not sure I'd balance with an X either given the lack of spades.

ahydra

[Zelandakh]

 Fluffy, on 2012-October-19, 06:23, said:

I guide myself by this table against preempts that put me at the 3 level:

You could just shorten this to 15 5-3-1 points, Fluffy. Do you use a similar guide for the 4 level too?