The Sucker's Slam
Some year's ago, I coined the term "sucker's slam" for my own satisfaction even if no one else picked it up. I was referring to a relentless drive to slam on 17 points opposite a minimum opening bid. When I have mentioned it to a few people, the invariable response has been (substantially) "Of course!", but I can't begin to tell you how many times I have seen just such a drive. In fact, I found it so common that I decided to open up a listing of some.
A holding of seventeen points seems to be the culprit. A drive on 16 points isn't so common, and 18 points is, well, somewhat safer. After all, a minimum opener could be 15 points, no?
As usual, there must be a disclaimer. Of course sometimes this will pan out just fine. No one is saying it will never happen. But I am saying it's a poor percentage bid and will bring you heartache far more often than satisfaction.