[pescetom]

I promised the spades board that was an interesting spot for Italian style control-bidding and a tricky MP/IMP decision, but this one created havoc in the meantime.

MP

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How do you open this?
Please specify if your agreements are significantly different from 2/1 with 1NT 15-17 and 2NT 20-21 and 1♦ 4+ cards.

[mikeh]

I can’t remember the companion hand. This looks like a heavy 2N but I can’t quite get myself to upgrade out of our 20-21 hcp range😀

For those who open 1D, what are your plans over 1M by partner?

[mike777]

Rebid 3NT

[WasWinM]

This hand is a horror story. I hate 2NT as it has such bulky systems on after it. I hate 2C because the hand, IMO, isn't worth it. I hate 1D because the hand is almost worth 2C or 2NT and all I can do if partner bids a major is jump to 3C. (a jump to 3N is an entirely different hand, 9 tricks with the major stopped.) I know what I'd do at the table. I'd open 1D and create a false reverse over a major or maybe I'd bid 3C. I think it depends on who I'm playing with if I think I can get away with the false reverse.

[steve2005]

Is a tough hand for Precision unless you are playing relays get a positive response and the opponents dont come into the auction!

[blackshoe]

There is no good opening bid with that hand playing 2/1 or Precision. Playing Romex it's a nearly perfect 1NT¹ opening bid.

¹ Artificial, Forcing, either an unbalanced 18-21 HCP (roughly) or a balanced 19-20 HCP with six controls. If unbalanced, the kind of hand that in 2/1 would open at the one level and then reverse or jump shift.

[DavidKok]

As others mentioned, this is a very difficult hand. I would open 2NT (20-21) as a practical decision, but it may well backfire.

I did at some point play a gadget in standard with an unbalanced diamond that can cater to this hand: Gazzilli. There I can show a 19+ hand with 6(+) diamonds and no second suit at the 2NT level, and even clarify the 3-card support if partner bids hearts. But currently I do not play this.

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-September-19, 18:04, said:

I can’t remember the companion hand. This looks like a heavy 2N but I can’t quite get myself to upgrade out of our 20-21 hcp range😀

For those who open 1D, what are your plans over 1M by partner?

In the weak NT context we can rebid a GF not balanced 2N over 1M and bid 3♥ (6+♦/=3♥) if the major is hearts, 3♦ if it's spades over the semi forced 3♣.

This hand is awkward as whatever you do, you're quite likely to end up in a no play 3N if partner has some 4234 hand with no heart cards.

[mw64ahw]

I'd consider 2N, but my unbalanced ♦ has the artificiality to cater for this shape/strength. We make a straightforward slam try if partner has a game invitational hand.

[pescetom]

 DavidKok, on 2026-September-20, 00:48, said:

As others mentioned, this is a very difficult hand. I would open 2NT (20-21) as a practical decision, but it may well backfire.

I did at some point play a gadget in standard with an unbalanced diamond that can cater to this hand: Gazzilli. There I can show a 19+ hand with 6(+) diamonds and no second suit at the 2NT level, and even clarify the 3-card support if partner bids hearts. But currently I do not play this.

I have exactly the same abilities over 1♦ my Multirever, but this partner refuses to play it. So I opened 2NT and partner responded 3NT. Do you pass?

[mw64ahw]

pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 05:47, said:

I have exactly the same abilities over 1♦ my Multirever, but this partner refuses to play it. So I opened 2NT and partner responded 3NT. Do you pass?

Yes - I don't think there's a choice and it could be worse - you could have a weak doubleton.

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 05:47, said:

I have exactly the same abilities over 1♦ my Multirever, but this partner refuses to play it. So I opened 2NT and partner responded 3NT. Do you pass?

You have to, partner will have xxx, x, xxxx, AQxxx

is one of the reasons I prefer 1♦, partner will bid 3♦ on that hand

[pescetom]

 Cyberyeti, on 2026-September-20, 06:06, said:

You have to, partner will have xxx, x, xxxx, AQxxx

That hand is one of the reasons I pulled 3NT to 4♦
But I agree it wasn't a great idea.

[mikeh]

pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 12:41, said:

That hand is one of the reasons I pulled 3NT to 4♦
But I agree it wasn't a great idea.

You bid 2N then pulled 3N? You either ended the partnership or you have an incredibly generous partner.

[pescetom]

 mikeh, on 2026-September-20, 12:45, said:

You bid 2N then pulled 3N? You either ended the partnership or you have an incredibly generous partner.

My partner knows and accepts that Friday night is for fun and experiments, not winning bridge. But yes, not pleased.

Captaincy etiquette and natural logic aside, you yourself said it was a heavy 2NT. The question is how likely are the perfecto hands with hearts control and clubs texture: low, on reflection. Maybe somebody with the tricks function could simulate.

[mikeh]

pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 12:49, said:

My partner knows and accepts that Friday night is for fun and experiments, not winning bridge. But yes, not pleased.

Captaincy etiquette and natural logic aside, you yourself said it was a heavy 2NT. The question is how likely are the perfecto hands with hearts control and clubs texture: low, on reflection. Maybe somebody with the tricks function could simulate.

I was joking. It’s not a great 19, given that we have the rounded suit jacks. But my point is that if you think this is a 2N opening hid, it’s bizarre to now try to play in 4D rather than 3N. And if you think that 5D will usually be better than 3N, you’re looking at a hand very different from the one I’m looking at.

[P_Marlowe]

1D

..., but we play a 2NT rebid by opener as 6+ and forcing.

If you dont have this, it will get messy.
I still prefer 1D, followed by 3C, but it will be messy,
and I can fully understand, if someone is sidestepping
this with a 2NT opening bid.

[P_Marlowe]

mike777, on 2026-September-19, 18:24, said:

Rebid 3NT

Traditionally this show a single in p suit, and stoppers in the side suits,
besides a long running suit.
This will work, if p responds 1H, but after 1S, ..., the heart stopper looks
dubious.

[WasWinM]

It's unanimous. The best opening bid for avoiding rebid problems is pass.

[DavidKok]

 pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 12:49, said:

The question is how likely are the perfecto hands with hearts control and clubs texture: low, on reflection. Maybe somebody with the tricks function could simulate.

No, this is not the question. The hearts can block, or split 4-4 or 4-3, or they might not find a killing clubs lead, or or or...
This hand is difficult to bid regardless. Don't strawman the scenario you don't like - pulling to 4♦ has a dozen ways to lose. It does not require a perfecto opposite.