[Phil352]

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2nd in hand all white, is this way too much to open 5D? I screwed partner over who held the following:

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Basically what is people's general expectation of a 5 minor opening in 1st or 2nd seat? (we don't have a gambling 3nt available) I thought I could run into competitive auction trouble if i opened 1 but I wasn't very happy opening 5. Is it best to open 1 and then try and get doubled in 5?

[ArtK78]

While a 5 of a minor opening does show an offensive powerhouse, it is still a preemptive bid. This hand is FAR too good to open 5 of a minor. It takes the right next-to-nothing to make a small slam (singleton heart, a couple (maybe 3) diamonds and the A or KQ of clubs), and a grand is not out of the questions.

Not only that, but you are in second seat. RHO has passed, so the chances that partner has some useful cards have increased.

A classic 5 of a minor opening (ignoring the rule of 2 and 3) would look more like this in second seat:

x
x
KQJTxxxxx
xx

8 sure tricks and no defense. You would be very unlucky to go for 500 and find that the opps can't make a slam.

[Fluffy]

I expect AKQJ 8th and out, or a 7-4 with KQJ10 and perhaps something good in the 4 card.

[y66]

of possible interest - See discussion on 4m vs 5m at bridgewinners.

[Quantumcat]

Most hands with 8 cards in the same suit below 12 HCP (some 9-12 HCP would be too good, some not) should be opened game, and some with 7 cards. This could be hands as bad as QT876543 and nothing else or KQJT765 - K543 32 (most would open 4♠).

If you are too strong to open game, there are lots more options.

If you have a solid suit you can consider opening the suit and rebidding 3NT - this shows a solid suit that was too good to open game with. You don't need a lot of HCP, just a solid suit and maybe some outside cards (but not necessary). If you play a Gambling 3NT opening, then this would cover similar hands but with a few cards outside the suit.

If your hand is too good to open game with and your suit is not solid - simply open one of your suit and rebid game - this will be hands in the 15-18 HCP range. You might be solid but too good to rebid 3NT (e.g. you have multiples of the following outside your suit: voids, aces, kings).

If your hand is too good to open game and not good enough to open one and rebid game (or suit is not QUITE long/good enough) - simply open one of a suit and rebid 3.

This covers every possibility of long, good suits.

[phil_20686]

This is too good for a 5m opening imo.

I would open 1d, and then you can either rebid 3d, or rebid whatever it is that shows a hand too good to rebid 3d. I believe 1d-1X-3N to show a hand too good to bid 3d is pretty common. Other than that there is loads of decent artificial stuff you can play.

I quite like the idea of turning jump rebids and shifts into transfer, starting with 2N, so eg 1d-1S-3C would be an unlimited transfer to clubs. This avoids the chance of being passed out, and often seems to improve the tempo of auctions. You have to think a bit about what to do with 18-19 balanced though. DG gave me a scheme for this if you want it.