What’s your call?
| 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♥ | 1♠ | 1NT |
| 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT |
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass |
Falk asks, “What’s the problem? Not my idea of a 2♥ opener, especially in second seat — ratty suit, too much outside, almost an opening hand, happy to support either black suit and eventually diamonds by partner. Also not my idea of a 1♥ bid.”
Sanborn agrees. “It depends on one’s preempt style, but this is an ugly weak two with extra values, support for spades, good defense and an awful suit. Still, it doesn’t make it as a one-bid in my book.”
The Gordons pass, prepared to lose in the scoring. Not this time! “We always lose points with these problems, but weak twos in second seat should be disciplined and consistent.”
Robinson passes. “I’m treating this hand as 3=5=1=4 and I hope to describe it later.”
A green flag, too, from Meyers. “Not enough to open 1♥, not the right texture to open 2♥.”
The Joyces observe, “We know all Precision players would open, but it is not quite good enough in our methods for a one-bid, and the suit is too shabby for a two-bid.”
Cohen is among the passers. “Let’s try to count the flaws for 2♥: bad suit, good playability in the other major, lots of good side cards, second suit. Will any of my fellow panelists really commit a weak two-bid here?”
Meckstroth opens 2♥: “I would either open 1♥ or 2♥. Passing is a distant, last choice.”
2♥ by Weinstein. “What could possibly go wrong?!”
Hampson opens 2♥. “Not the best suit, but I like to bid.”
Lawrence opens 2♥: “The suit is poor but the hand has all the right kind of values. Passing and bidding hearts does not capture the flavor of the sixth heart.”
Stack, from the 2♥ camp: “This hand should be opened, and it is not strong enough for 1♥. The flaws are the good spade support and the suit weakness, but it is still a good description of the hand. If partner bids 2NT (asking
for a feature), we have a perfect 3♣ response showing extras. Even though our system says disciplined weak two-bids, this hand looks like a weak two, so we will start out with that and hope for the best. If we pass, there is a very good chance this hand will get passed out.”
Boehm opens it 1♥. “I can live with pass, but not 2♥ — too little inside the suit, too much outside.”
“We don’t see the problem,” say the Coopers, who open 1♥. “This hand is way too good to open 2♥. Have you seen what people open a nonvulnerable 2♥ these days?”
Who is this new, easygoing Rigal? “1♥. I do not feel strongly about this. Others may insist on passing or opening 2♥. I can’t get worked up about it, so I will allow others to froth on my behalf.”
