[wclass___]

Suppose we are vulnerable 1st or 2nd seat.

Which option do you think is theoretically best.

a) 2N=strong bal;3♣=club preempt.
b) 2N=strong bal;3♣=minors.
c) Strong balanced opened via 1♣;2N=minors;3C=club preempt.
d) Strong balanced opened via 1♣;2N=club preempt;3C=minors.

[dake50]

Quite prefer C.
Especially, str bal 1C rebids a "may be artificial" 1H over 1D:neg, which demands 1S on bust.
The 2N for minors vs 3C for minors saves a memory load as ~2NT unu overcall.
Use these preempts VUL/nv agressively in IMP's as this is the vul case where their game/slam decision is critical.
nv just has to get their decisions razor right: 6/6 IMP on game/part decision.
Vul has a 10/6 IMP for game bid, not partial.

[gwnn]

a or c I think

[akhare]

D), because it gives the opps one less cue bid. 2N for the minors gives the opps way too many options, including two cue bids, direct X and bid and P and then bid (assuming 2N won't be passed out), etc...

[straube]

akhare, on 2011-March-17, 15:03, said:

D), because it gives the opps one less cue bid. 2N for the minors gives the opps way too many options, including two cue bids, direct X and bid and P and then bid (assuming 2N won't be passed out), etc...

I'd choose C. The club preempt is more common than the unusual hand, plus bidding 3C leaves no cue bid at all.

Opening 2N with both minors leaves 2 cue bids and the possibility of LHO passing and then bidding but
....1) again, it occurs less frequently
....2) the opponents have more cue bids than they really need

[FrancesHinden]

©. Second choice (d). Assuming you have good methods after your 1C opening.
The 3C pre-empt is more common that having both minors, and it's more likely that 3NT by responder is the right contract when you have 1 minor rather than 2.

[chasetb]

C is the #1 choice, and it isn't even close. You tend to want the stronger hand to play 3NT, and by opening your 3♣ pre-empts as 2NT you have screwed that pooch, so to speak. The opponents get an extra immediate bid (3♣), and most importantly, both RHO and LHO can Double for PENALTY!!!

For these reasons, DO NOT choose D, especially when playing against competent players. I give an edge to A over B, mostly because B gives the opponents an artificial 3♦ bid, and makes it easier for them to bid a game or slam they wouldn't otherwise.

[Zelandakh]

I play C. If your local jurisdiction allows it you might also consider the French 2NT opening which gets around the cue bid issue. French is 2NT as any 2 suits from clubs, diamonds and hearts. There is also something to be said for A since these hands can be difficult if the ops preempt on the first round; how you treat your 18-19(20) balanced hands is relevant here.

[wclass___]

Zelandakh, on 2011-March-20, 02:45, said:

I play C. If your local jurisdiction allows it you might also consider the French 2NT opening which gets around the cue bid issue. French is 2NT as any 2 suits from clubs, diamonds and hearts. There is also something to be said for A since these hands can be difficult if the ops preempt on the first round; how you treat your 18-19(20) balanced hands is relevant here.

Isn't it brown sticker?

[Zelandakh]

wclass___, on 2011-March-20, 03:24, said:

Isn't it brown sticker?

Brown sticker only applies to WBF events and I am too lazy to look it up there. In England it is legal, or was the last time I looked, since it cannot include spades. Jurisdictions vary on their regulations for such bids.