[jocdelevat]

Scoring: IMP

---

West North East South

 -     Pass  3♣    Pass
 Pass  Pass  


Hi all
I was north and I pass. East bids 3c and failed by one then complain to me why I didn't open or I should alert the pass. The opponent player asked me what system I play because with 12 hcp I'm force to open. is the oponennt player right about that? How do you rule?

Thanks for your opinion
best regards
jocdelevat

[hrothgar]

The decision whether to open this hand depends completely on what system I agreed to play. I'd happy open a weak NT playing MOSCITO and probably Acol. I would pass playing Roth-Stone. I could stomach a pass playing a sound 2/1 variant.

I suspect that most people would chose some opening bid with this hand, however, I don't consider it clear cut.
I certainly wouldn't give the opponents an adjustment for a failure to alert.

[neilkaz]

There is no ruling to make. You made a judgement call to pass a 4333 12 point hand..so there should be no problem.

Your should bring a very small violin to the table so you can play a sad song for your whining opponent. Whiners like that make me laugh.

I open your hand and then rebid 1NT since I have 2.5 of what is known as quick tricks and my clubs look like a source of tricks but have no problems with passing it.

I expect about a split decision here as to whether to open or pass.

No alert is needed, and if you had some Quacky 4333 13 count with a stiff K and passed that, no alert is needed, although I open every 13 HCP hand.

Alert needed...LOL..your opp needs to get a life. .. neilkaz ..

[mr1303]

I would open it, but I can certainly live with a pass.

Richard is right, if you choose to pass a flat 12 count, you certainly don't have to alert it.

That was just sour grapes from your opponent as a result of his bad score.

[SoTired]

YOU DON'T ALERT HANDS - YOU ALERT CONVENTIONAL BIDS

If you open a flat 10-pointer or pass a distributional 15-pointer because you "felt like it" or because it was Tuesday makes no difference. You alert your conventional bids, whether you have the bid or not. A natural 1-of-a-suit is not alertable (except for very light opening bid systems).

This is a very common misconception in online play because of the self-alert.

[bid_em_up]

I may or may not open it depending on who my partner is and what system I happen to be playing. Usually I would not open it.

If I choose not to open it, I am under absolutely NO obligation to alert the pass.

Where do people get this nonsense??

[keylime]

I think your pass of North's hand was very disciplined and to be commended.

Your opps crying foul is anything but to be commended.

[tbr]

There is no good rebid.

[pclayton]

I'd open it, because I have a fair amount of controls, my honor structure is good and I have some intermediates.

Contrast it with: Kxx, Qxx, Jxx, AQxx and I'd probably pass.

[SoTired]

I would open this hand, but pass is a reasonable choice. I open all 12's, some 11's, and a few 10's.

No rebid??? You have 4333 and can rebid 1N over any 1-level response.

[keylime]

3 controls and a 12 count downgrades. The 4333 shape is undesirable. This is a hand I want to table not declare (or better, defend).

[HeartA]

I usually open a 12 count hand, but not this 4333 one. (It has 23 Zar points only, btw)

[awm]

Well people who routinely open balanced 11s don't have to alert, so I don't see why people who pass balanced 12s should either. If you play an ultra-conservative style (for example pass many balanced 13s) perhaps it is worth an alert.

This hand is on the borderline between open and pass for most of us. I'm swayed into opening by the ♣T9 (would pass if these were small cards), but I think we all admit it's close. Certainly there is nothing wrong with passing bad twelves and the opponents are way off-base claiming you need to alert.

[mike777]

jocdelevat, on Aug 2 2006, 07:15 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

---

West North East South

 -     Pass  3♣    Pass
 Pass  Pass  


Hi all
I was north and I pass. East bids 3c and failed by one then complain to me why I didn't open or I should alert the pass. The opponent player asked me what system I play because with 12 hcp I'm force to open. is the oponennt player right about that? How do you rule?

Thanks for your opinion
best regards
jocdelevat

You certainly owe your opponents a big apology. Ignorance of the laws of bridge is no excuse! I just hope they did not throw you out of the game. I have seen some pretty egregious lawbreakers but this really takes the cake.

Next time just ask them to quote you which law of bridge forces you to open with 12 hcp and learn your lesson!

[helene_t]

I see it again and again, especially f2f but also online: players think that everything that expresses a style slightly different from their own style must be alerted (if it's legal at all).

I wonder where this superstition comes from.

[blackshoe]

"With 12 HCP you are forced to open"

ROFL. What utter nonsense!

I would probably open this, but it's very close to a pass. Not alertable in any jurisdiction on Earth of which I'm aware, either way. You are not required to tell your opponents "I'm at the top of the range for my pass, don't do anything stupid".

It's the Director's job to deal with alleged infractions. It's not the players' job to teach opponents the rules - especially when they get it wrong. Players like the 3♣ bidder in this case need to learn a simple rule: either call the director, or STFU.

[P_Marlowe]

tbr, on Aug 2 2006, 11:24 AM, said:

There is no good rebid.

1 NT?

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would open the hand,
but I dont mind, if you pass
the hand playing with me.

Actually, I think, that passing
is probably best, but playing mostly
in weak fields, I think you will be against
the whole room, which is not the best
thing to do.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[willow23]

With 11-12 hcp hands that are flat and/or do not contain at least one 4 card major, I opt not to open...strictly a judgment call..I depend on third seat to shout if there is anything to say..

Besides nothing wrong to lie in wait for the overbidders who take silence at the bridge table as a reason to bid on..

[Free]

Depends partialy on the system imo. If you use LTC, it's a clear pass! If you use rule of 20 without exceptions, it's a clear pass. There are many more systems which tell you to pass.

I however don't use these methods (anymore) and will open this hand.