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© Copyright 2002, Jim Loy
We all disagree with the experts, on occasion. Here is the eighth hand in Bridge Today's One Thousand and One Bridge Problems Workbook, by Frank Stewart:
S T6542
H 5
D AQJ5
C AQ6
And we are asked to make an opening bid. I bid 1S, Mr. Stewart bid 1D. His reasoning: "All we know is that Eddie Kantar once bid 1D on a hand like this in the Team Trials." My reasoning (for 1S) is this: What is the main factor affecting the value of this hand? Whether or not there is a spade fit. This hand is quite weak without a spade fit, and is relatively strong with a spade fit. I cannot afford to miss a 5-3 fit, or even a 5-2 fit. And I don't mind hearing a 1NT response (which I'll pass) or a 2H response, or any kind of raise. What if partner passes 1S? Well, I'm probably going to get the same few tricks in 1D or 1S. I don't see any great troubles concerning a 1S opening bid, except that it is inferior as a lead-directing bid.