[jdeegan]

1♦.

Old time bridgeplayer's saying - most 7-4 hands belong in game. Imho, best way to get that going is to start with an opening bid, UNLESS I have a picture bid for my particular hand. I DON'T. Therefore .....................

[the hog]

hrothgar, on Feb 2 2008, 01:42 AM, said:

I'm normally happy to open at the game level with virtually any 7-4 pattern.

This hand is the exception. I have soft values, a side 4 card major, a side void, and a weak Diamond suit.

I still open 5♦ mind you.
But I don't feel happy about it...

I neither expect not do I deserve support for this bid, but its what I'd do at the table.

I'll be interested to see the actual hands...

Youv'e got one supporter.

[Cascade]

hrothgar, on Feb 2 2008, 07:42 AM, said:

I'm normally happy to open at the game level with virtually any 7-4 pattern.

This hand is the exception. I have soft values, a side 4 card major, a side void, and a weak Diamond suit.

I still open 5♦ mind you.
But I don't feel happy about it...

I neither expect not do I deserve support for this bid, but its what I'd do at the table.

I'll be interested to see the actual hands...

I normally consider 4minor 'at the game level' for this 'rule' about opening 7-4 hands.

Vulnerable though I think I am a spot or two away from 4♦.

Also we open also open this sort of hand at the one-level sometimes.

We reserve 5♦ for fairly decent hands that have some prospect of making 11 tricks opposite a fairly ordinary (average) hand opposite - something that can contribute a couple of tricks or so.