OPEN 1 CLUB WITH 5-5 CLUBS AND SPADES (weak or strong)

Controversial – but my preferred style. The sensible but less exciting choice. You’ve much more opportunity to show both suits at a reasonably low level.

Pros:

a)   Much better chance of showing both suits.

♠ AK752  ♥ 7  ♦ 93  ♣ KQ852

1♣ - 1(red-suit) – 1♠    - subsequently repeat spades to show five.

b)    but if you open a spade –

1♠ - 2(red-suit) – 2♠.  Never showing your club suit!!

c)   Make the above hand slightly stronger

♠ AK752  ♥ 7  ♦ A3  ♣ KQ852

1♣  - 1(red-suit) – 1♠ - anything  - 3♠                - shown 5-5 and a strong hand all below 3NT

Cons:

d)   ♠ AK752  ♥ 7  ♦ 93  ♣ KQ852

1♣  - opposition 4♥   If partner passes you can’t reasonably bid 4♠ nor 5♣, but if you’d opened 1♠, partner may combat the opponents pre-empt with a reasonable hand and some spades. But how often in the club do they pre-empt at the four-level.

e)   (same hand as above) 1♣ - 1NT - ??. However it’s not very often partner bids 1NT over your club opening (he would have to be 3-3-3-4).

Moreover this is readily resolved if opener’s re-bid of 2♠ is not deemed to be a reverse – showing exactly this hand (with a 16+ hand and four spades opener can bid 3♠ - he can probably stand 4♣ based on the distribution).

f)   1♠ is more pre-emptive than 1♣

Note:  Suppose the auction goes (opposition bids bracketed) 1♣ - (1♥) – 2♦ - (2♥) - ?? With only four spades you should double (obviously not penalty), whereas with five spades just bid 2♠.

AFH