Opening Bids

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Quick Tricks:

• A or KQ = 1 Quick Trick

• King = 1/2 Quick Trick

• AQ = 1 1/2 Quick Tricks

• AK = 2 Quick Tricks

Evaluating your opening bid

Open virtually ALL hands with 13 or more high-card points. Open a hand with 11 or 12 pts. (or even 10 pts.) if your hand and the conditions meet at least two or three of the following requirements:

• Your hand has two or more quick tricks -- Stretch to open any hand with at least 2 1/2 quick tricks. Avoid opening hands with less than 2 quick tricks.

A1043   1096   AK92   43 -- Open 1D. This is "only" 11 pts., but it has three prime quick tricks.
Q106   AQ1073   KJ76   4 -- Open 1H. Just two quick tricks, but good playing strength.
QJ6   K72   Q43   A753 -- Pass. This is a "soft" hand with only 1 1/2 quick tricks.

• You have good suit quality -- honors and high "spot" cards in your long suits.

AQJ103   86   A1042   32 -- Open 1S.
J8643   KQ   A8   Q632 -- Pass.

• You'll have an easy, descriptive rebid -- a 6+-card suit or a two-suited hand.

10   KQJ85   765   AJ93 -- Open 1H. You plan to rebid 2C if partner doesn't raise hearts.
1032   3   KQJ1065   AJ9 -- Open 1D. You plan to rebid 2D over any response from partner.

• You have length and strength in the majors -- This gives you an easy rebid and makes it more likely that you'll play in a trump contract instead of 3NT.

K1072   AJ93   4   K954 -- Open 1C. If partner responds 1D, you can bid 1H. If he instead bids 11H or 1S, you'll raise to 2.
4   K43   AJ93   K9543 -- Pass. You'll have an awkward rebid if partner responds 1S.

• You're vulnerable. It may be safer to open a vulnerable 1-bid than to overcall later, especially if you have a fairly weak suit.

7   K98754   A102   KJ3 -- Open 1H. You'd hate to have to overcall 2H if your opponent opens 1S.
Void   KJ10543   A102   J843 -- Pass. This hand is too weak for a 1-bid and too strong for a 3-bid. You can describe it better by overcalling later.

• You have a partscore at rubber bridge. To complete your partscore, it's often important to show your values early in the auction. A light opener is fairly safe in this situation because partner will usually keep the bidding low.
  

A RULE TO REMEMBER:
If you decide your hand is worth an opening bid, stay with the courage of your conviction. Don't "lie" later just to make up for your thin high-card points. Treat your hand as a "real" opener, especially if you find a trump fit.

If you're in third seat (partner has passed):

Be more anxious to open light. You should stretch to open even a 10-11 pt. hand if:

• You have a strong suit -- one you want partner to lead if you defend.

KQ1093   J4   A75   987 -- Open 1S.

• You can safely pass any suit partner responds.

K93   10876   J98   AK3 -- Open 1C and pass partner's response.

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