Chapter 3 - Opening the Bidding With a Distributional Hand

Question 1

What is a ‘biddable suit’?

Answer 1

4 cards headed by at least 1 honour card
OR
5+ cards in a suit
(note Jxxx and xxxxx are borderline - some people don’t consider them biddable)

Question 2

To open the bidding in a suit you need

Answer 2

A distributional hand, 12+ points and a biddable suit (4+ with an honour card or 5+)

Question 3

You hold a distributional hand with 14 points and your two longest suits are:
A,K,Q,10 spades and
9, 7, 5, 3 2 diamonds
How would you open the bidding?

Answer 3

1 Spade

The only exception to the ‘length before strength’ rule is if you have a very strong 4 card major and a weak 5 card minor, you can open with the major suit.

Question 4

When opening the bidding with a distributional hand, bid ‘length before strength’. What does that mean?

Answer 4

Bid your longest suit regardless of the strength of the cards in it.

For example, bid a suit with 8 low cards before you bid a 5 card suit that is A, K, Q, J, 10. (The only exception is if you have a very strong 4 card major and a weak 5 card minor)

Question 5

You have a distributional hand with enough points to open and hold 2 biddable suits of equal length. As a general rule, which suit should you bid first?

Answer 5

The highest ranking suit.

Question 6

You have a distributional hand with enough points to open and hold 2 biddable suits of equal length. Normally, you should open with the higher ranking suit. When would you open with the lower ranking suit instead?

Answer 6

When your two equal length biddable suits are spades and clubs.

If this is the case, bid clubs first - it gives you more bidding room.

Question 7

You have enough points to open and hold 3 biddable four card suits (4-4-4-1 distribution). In which suit should you open?

Answer 7

Open the suit that ranks 1 below your singleton. If the singleton is clubs, open in hearts.

Sounds strange and arbitrary but it will give you more bidding room.

Question 8

If opening with a distributional hand you will almost always open at the 1 level. When can you open at a higher level? (note: there are two scenarios)

Answer 8

• when you can guarantee at least 8 tricks in your hand. (don’t just count points!)
  OR
• when you are making a pre-emptive bid (opening at the 3 level with a long 7+ card suit but only 6-10 points)

Question 9

You have a strong distributional hand guaranteed to win 8 tricks. At what level will you open?

Answer 9

2

Question 10

You have a distributional hand with 20 points. At what level will you open?

Answer 10

1 or 2, depending on the number of tricks you KNOW you will win. With 8 or more guaranteed tricks, you may open at the 2 level.

Question 11

Your partner opens 1D and rebids 1H. What do you now know about her hand.

Answer 11

She has 5+ diamonds and 4+ hearts