[jillybean]

---

IMP

I am known for being quite aggressive, some would say reckless.
This is a routine 1♦ bid for me, I don't give it much thought at all.

You could say these diamonds don't sparkle.
In this modern bidding world, how standard would this call be?

[WasWinM]

If I were to overcall it would be 1H, never 1D. I wouldn't overcall.

[DavidKok]

1♦. I don't think this is aggressive, nowhere near it.

[mike777]

1H

[jillybean]

Already 3 opposing answers.

Yeah, I could live with 1H given these chunky hearts, but is there any urgent need to misdescribe my shape?

More later.

edit: I hear you all on the reasons not to bid 1♦.
I believe this is more of a style, comfort thing rather than right , wrong, as are most calls in this game.

[mw64ahw]

And a 4th option.
Many I know would pass because of the suit quality or the fact that 1♦ isn't obstructive.
If you play The OS it's 2♦ as x45x and I'd bid with an even weaker hand.

[Cyberyeti]

Can live with P/1♥, hate 1♦, it excludes nothing and partner has the nasty habit of leading one

[awm]

I’d want to bid with this hand but it seems important to get the hearts in. If I had a call like Raptor or a two suited overcall I’d do it, otherwise will try 1♥.

[TMorris]

I am very happy passing this hand. My 1 ♦ overcalls are a good suit or a decent hand. This doesn't qualify.

[jillybean]

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2♣ = Majors

[DavidKok]

3♣ good hearts raise for now (I imagine some people put that through 2NT instead). This gives partner room for 3♦ to show interest in game. Mind you, we should probably bid game even over a signoff, depending on how strong 2♣ needs to be. Also does this sequence heavily imply that opener has 18-19 balanced? I know a lot of people who would not be able to find a pass the second round with 'such a strong hand', but would also double to show clubs with a long suit. The lack of competitive bidding seems to imply that partner has some clubs, e.g. a 5=5=0=3 distribution or so.

[WasWinM]

jillybean, on 2026-July-25, 07:48, said:

Already 3 opposing answers.

Yeah, I could live with 1H given these chunky hearts, but is there any urgent need to misdescribe my shape?

More later.

Why would I misdescribe my shape? If I bid 1H, I don't plan on another bid unless forced by partner. If he does force, it will be with a heart raise.

[WasWinM]

jillybean, on 2026-July-25, 09:25, said:

---

2♣ = Majors

How much hand does partner have to hold for this call, how wide of range?

[jillybean]

WasWinM, on 2026-July-25, 10:06, said:

How much hand does partner have to hold for this call, how wide of range?

It is wide ranging, 6 would be the minimum

[TMorris]

2♣ here for me would be an opening hand or near enough. A 9 count with nearly all points in my suits would be fine. Much weaker i might just bid a decent suit if I have one. So here i would bid game in hearts.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-July-25, 07:48, said:

Already 3 opposing answers.

Yeah, I could live with 1H given these chunky hearts, but is there any urgent need to misdescribe my shape?

More later.

If the choice is between 1D and 1H, it is 1H.
You want the lead, game is also still an real option, and 4H is more likely than 5D.
I dont mind 1H or Pass, ..., the Problem with Pass is, that if they have a spade fit
you will be facing 2S next round, so getting hearts in, why not.

The problem with 1D is, it does not kill space, it does not indicate a suit, you want p to
lead, i.e. why do you want to get in with 1D? Make it a 5 card spade suit, and I am fine.

After p showed the majors, wide ranging (ok, but he is also in Passout), more relevant is
the shape, and I dont think 55 with 6HCP justifies 2C, he in in the reopening seat, he
should simply start with 1S.
Anyway, you now can bid 3H, which is inv., and it is not blocking / preemptive.

[mikeh]

jillybean, on 2026-July-25, 10:20, said:

It is wide ranging, 6 would be the minimum

I think that’s too low a minimum. Yes, it’s good to get both suits in, but (as is often the case with bids chosen here) bidding 2C on a hand that is virtually unlimited on the upside makes it very difficult for partner. If, say, you promise a decent 10 count or so, partner can bid aggressively with a fit and relatively modest values. But if you could be a full Ace lower than that, he has to bid conservatively, and now the 2C bidder doesn’t know of the extent or even the real existence of a fit. Too many posters here (and I encounter similar issues with club players) play solitaire, not bridge.

I’m not saying pass with, say, Kxxxx Kxxxx x xx. And my ‘solution’ of 1S won’t always work out, but when one has a shapely 6 count, and the auction goes 1m P P, I know with near-certainty that 1S isn’t getting passed out! Beteeen opener and partner they rate to hold at least 29 hcp.

So I bid 1S and when I next cheaply show hearts (assuming the auction times out…if partner supports spades I may not need to bid hearts) partner will know that I didn’t bid 2C nor did I double, so may believe I’m 5=4 but will know that I could be very light.

As I’m wont to say, there’s a difference between being aggressive…good…and being some combination of ultra aggressive and undisciplined….bad.

[jillybean]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-July-25, 10:57, said:

If the choice is between 1D and 1H, it is 1H.

I think there are 36 cards remaining it your bidding box, the choice is yours.

mikeh, on 2026-July-25, 11:15, said:

I think that’s too low a minimum.

My partner would say the same. I am going to bid 1S on Axxxxx Qxxxxx so it's probably too low for me too. 8-10?

[pescetom]

Late to the thread after some of my favourite climbs and other complications.

I would have comfortably bid 1♥ NV over 1♣.
Had I passed watching the cycling, then 3♣ over 2♣ is now equally comfortable.

[mike777]

For those bidding 2C then 3C, hopefully it is clear, very clear that 2 clubs does not mean, natural clubs, versus a short club pair...smile