You are in 1st seat, none vul., holding this hand:
What’s your call? Scroll down for my recommendation:
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Tag Archives: Rule of 20
Here is an interesting hand observed recently on BBO. Would you open this hand in 1st seat (none vul.)?
It’s a close call. There is a lot to be said for striking the first blow. You have two quick tricks and it makes Bergen’s rule of 20 (11 HCP plus 9 cards in your two longest suits). However, Bergen would downgrade for the ugly doubleton quack in diamonds. Offsetting that, you can add a point or two for length in clubs (but downgrade a little for crummy texture in the long suit). Bottom line is that the majority of good players would likely open the hand one club.
What would you do?
*See Marty Bergen’s latest article on page 53 of this month’s Bridge Bulletin: “Secrets of accurate hand evaluation – part 10”. I recommend that you read all articles in his series on hand evaluation.
You are in 1st seat with nobody vulnerable holding this hand? What’s your call?
I recommend you open the bidding with one heart. This hand is too good for a preemptive two hearts. It values at 13 points (4 in spades, 5 in hearts, 4 in clubs). Length in hearts gives you the two points in addition to the king. Those who opened two hearts missed game in hearts.
…subtract 1 point for a singleton king, queen or jack.
Marty Bergen, Bridge Bulletin, November 2019, p. 57
Also, in the September issue of the Bulletin Marty recommends subtracting 1 point for a hand containing three or four queens. Making Marty’s adjustment to the guideline of 20 should help you answer this question.
I recommend you follow Marty Bergen’s recent articles on hand evaluation in the Bulletin. What would Marty recommend on this one?
You are South in 1st seat with this hand:
Do you pass, open the bidding one club, or open with a preemptive three clubs? This hand looks too good to pass or preempt.
There is a good guideline known as the “rule of 20” to assist in your decision. First add the number of cards in your two longest suits (7 clubs plus 4 spades equals 11 for this hand). To that total add your high card points (three queens plus an ace equals 10 points for this hand). If the total (11 plus 10 for this hand) is equal to or greater than 20 (21 for this hand), open the bidding.
Question: Would you open the bidding if your queen of clubs was the jack? Application of the rule results in exactly 20. However, most experts recommend that you need to hold two quick tricks to open when your total is exactly 20. For this hand you have only one quick trick: the ace of clubs.
That being said, I still recommend you open this particular hand one club. Examine the hand, recollecting that the queen of clubs is instead the jack. The hand is loaded with helpful intermediates (10s and 9s). The hand is likely to win at least 5 tricks in clubs ane one in spades — six tricks! Don’t you think that’s worth an opening bid?