1 June 2026

How many points do I need to open?

Todays hand sees a very unusual distribution 0f 7-6 in diamonds and hearts.

The odds of picking up any 7-6 hand are around 1 in 18,000

and so if you played every Monday and Thursday

you would see this kind of hand once in about 8 years.

(By the way if you don’t play with us on a Thursday I encourage you to give it a go).

West looks at the board and sees that they are dealer

and as they sort the cards they notice something strange.

There are only red cards!

A quick count of the points (and a quick check that

there are no hdden clubs or spades)

and the count comes to eight.

I suppose thats not bad since if hearts or diamonds

become trumps then E/W are only playing with a 20 point pack.

The big question is do you open and if so what?

Lets assess it.

I guess you have to decide if this is a preemptive hand

or a game seeking hand.

The rule of 20 is satsified.

There are 3 losers (if a fit is found)

and adding on points for shortages (again only really applicable if you have a fit)

bumps the points up to around opening points.

Can you really open at the 1 level on an 8 count?

If you do open at the one level the correct bid is 1D.

If you play 5 card majors and your 1D opener denies a

5 card major then you have to bid 1H which distorts the hand completley.

After opening 1D you can bid hearts aggressivley to get the hand across.

If you decide you don’t want to open at the one level

then you could open 3D (normally doesn’t hide a long major)

or maybe a weak 2H.

The problem with opening weak is that with AH and/or KD

partner will not raise to game. Tricky stuff.

My personal view is that this hand is too strong in its

playing strength for a weak opener and 1D is the best option.

Now if N overcalls with that (ropey) spade suit

his partner will probably bid to 4S.

At our table W opened 1D, N passed, E bid 1S

and the opps now struggled to find their spade fit.

11 tricks are available in either red suit for E/W

and in either black suit for N/S. An interesting hand.

Tip of the week.

Don’t underestimate the playing strength of big two suiters.

The analysis is my own opinion and you may well disagree.

Always make sure you know your own system before you play.

Mark Rixon