Opening Bids

Question 1

Opening Bid: How many points are needed to make an opening bid

Answer 1

13 { 12 if your hand satisfies the Rule of 20}

Question 2

Opening Bid: When can you open with 12 points?

Answer 2

If you meet the requirements of the Rule of 20.

Rule of 20: The number of HCP plus the number of cards in your two longest suits is 20 or more.

Question 3

Opening Bid: What are the requirements of the Rule of 20

Answer 3

The number of HCP plus the number of cards in your two longest suits is 20 or more.

Question 4

Opening Bid: What is the definition of a Balanced Hand distribution?

Answer 4

4333
4432
5332

Question 5

Opening Bid: What is an alternate definition of a Balanced Hand?

Answer 5

8 cards or fewer in your 2 longest suits and no singletons.

Question 6

Opening Bid: What role does a NT bid play in opening with a balanced hand?

Answer 6

Bidding NT on your first or second bid tells your partner

1) you have a balanced hand and
2) how many points you have in your hand.

Question 7

Opening Bid: You have a balanced hand and minimum points (12 to 14)- what should your first two bids look like?

Answer 7

First bid: longest minor

Second bid: 1 NT

Question 8

Opening Bid: You have a balanced hand and medium points (15 to 17) - what should your opening bid be?

Answer 8

1 NT

Question 9

Opening Bid: You have a balanced hand and maximum points (18 to 19) - what should your opening bids be?

Answer 9

First bid: longest minor

Second bid: 2 NT

Question 10

Opening Bid: You have a Balanced Hand and extra points (20 to 22) - what should your opening bid be?

Answer 10

2 NT

Question 11

What are the point breakdowns for making various openings with a Balanced Hand?

Answer 11

0-11: Pass
12: If hand meets Rule of 20 guidelines, same as 13 - 14
12 -14 : Long Minor followed by 1 NT
15 - 17: 1 NT
18- 19: Longest Minor followed by 2 NT
20 -  21:  2 NT

Question 12

How do you calculate the Point Value of your hand before you’ve established a suit to play in?

Answer 12

HCP plus Length points.
5 Card suit:  +1
6 Card suit: +2
7 Card Suit: +3
8 Card Suit: +4

Question 13

If you have opening points but
1) ​don’t have a 5 card major or
2) your points don’t fall within a NT range,
what is your only option for an opening bid?

Answer 13

Opening the your longer minor suit

Question 14

If you have two equal length minors of 4 cards or more, which do you open with?

Answer 14

Diamonds

Question 15

If you have to 3 card minors, which do you open with?

Answer 15

Clubs

Question 16

What does making a 1D open promise?

Answer 16

By bidding 1D you are promising that you have 4 card in diamonds (A 1C opening doesn’t promise 4 clubs)

Question 17

What does a 1 C opening bid promise?

Answer 17

A 1 C opening bid only promises that the opener has

1) opening points,
2) no 5 card major

It’s possible to open with 1C with only 2 clubs in your hand. (if you have a 4333 distribution with only 3 diamonds)