Answer
This deal occurred in a large online Open Pairs game in September 2021. You are 2nd seat, favorable.
What’s your call?. This is a tactical problem on which any of those choices could be the winning call at the table. In tactical situations, we like consider probabilities, table position, vulnerability, and the opponents.
- Probabilities. Give East 8 HCP, you have 10 HCP, so that means West and partner probably average 11 each. You have a lot of shape, so the other three players probably have at least some shape. Our chances to make game in hearts or diamonds are probably at least fair, and the opponents’ chances for game in spades or clubs probably also are at least fair.
- Table Position. Usually we want to have our bids when we open in second seat.
- Vulnerability. We are at favorable, and the opponents probably have the spades, so that argues for opening higher rather than lower.
- Opponents. Here there is no information on the opponents.
We have had good success opening four hearts with similar hands. Two hearts might appeal to some players, but the losing trick count is 5.5 which we think is far too strong for a weak-two. Three hearts is a possibility, but that would be eccentric, and the possibility of three hearts all pass (making four) would be significant. We personally hate to pass when there is any reasonable alternative. So we prefer four hearts. We acknowledge that most players might choose one heart; one additional disadvantage of a one heart opening bid is that you may have a difficult decision at your second call.
The full deal appears on the next page, with the actual auction from our table.