Would you open 5C?

I thought everyone would open at the 5 level with this hand but half the room didn't. Would you?

♠	T
♥	-
♦	K T 8 7
♣	J T 9 8 7 6 3 2

Butler pairs (IMPs scoring) and you're first to act at nil vul.

Who passed?

If you bid you're unlucky. The auction is passed round to RHO who doubles and LHO leaves it in. If they get the defence right (or you miss guess the play) you go -800 against a game.

During the same set there was another interesting decision:

♠	A Q T 8 7 5 3
♥	A 8
♦	K 8 7
♣	5

This time you're favourable and RHO opens a multi 2♦^*.

You only have 13 highs but there's no useless values and a 7 card trump suit is worth a lot.

Imagine a "dummy" like:

♠	x x
♥	T x x x
♦	J x x
♣	J x x x

Often opposite this rather tragic sight you'll make 6 spades, a heart and a diamond, 8 tricks. That's about 3 tricks more than a more normal 15 count 5332 shape overcall. If partner has

♠	K
♥	T x x x
♦	Q T x
♣	J x x x x

You need to be in game. I antagonised briefly and bid 3♠.

Partner raised with ♠J ♥QJ3 ♦AQ965 ♣J864 and 10 tricks rolled home. I'm pretty sure I got lucky.

^* Weak two in either major, 20 - 22 balanced or strong two in either minor.