1C (1H) X (P) --Some Nifty Actions by Opener!

Hi all

I wanted to share with you some expert secrets of these sequences. This weekend, the bridge Gods gave me these tickets: KQ4,T98,K84,KQT9 NV at mp second seat. There you go, an aceless four by three thirteen count but probably warrants an opening. Hey, at least you have a T,9 spot. So, 1C (at least you can stand the lead). Lefty bids 1H and partner makes a negative X. Ok, there you are. What are you most likely to do? Bid 1S. You don't have four of them, but you don't even have as little as Jxx in the heart suit and your clubs...well probably not rebiddable given you only have four.

Now suppose you had this hand: KQ43,K98,K8,QT98 -This time you have four spades all right, but a nasty HK underneath the heart bidder. Ohhhhh, not so good. Again, 1S.

Now let's give you a better hand for the negative X. Let's say you opened 1C on KQ43,43,KT4,KQT9. Compared to the previous hands we've discussed, this is a beaut.

Experts bid an immediate 2S on this hand. Why?

1) To delineate this hand from the subminimum three card spade hand and/or honor values underneath the heart overcall.
2) They realize that with these hands you clearly belong at the two level anyway, due to the nature of the fit and the purity of the honor cards. If you don't jump there immediately, there is a good chance that opponents will push you there anyway.

Thus, over 1m (1H) X (P), a 1S bid says: "Given our combined resources, pard, we now have a subminum holding given the heart overcall. Please slow down the your assessment of the level at which you place the contract or compete.

a 2S bid says: "Full opening values, no heart honors wasted, and four card support".

Had my partner and I discussed these sequences, we might not have been in game opposite AJ98,642,AQJ2,75. And competed safely to the three level only.

Hope this is helpful. Ask if you have any questions.