The Rule of Nine

The Rule of Nine can assist the partner, who has been forced to respond after a double, in arriving at the best action. The concept is explained below:

When your partner decides to reopen the auction with a double, then you should take some action. The Rule of Nine assists you in deciding to take the correct action.  After a reopening double, you should either:

1. Bid your BEST suit.
2. Raise the suit of your partner with a minimum of two or more, but no less.
3. Pass for penalty when holding length and defensive values in the opponents’ suit.

To help you decide which action is best, the Rule of Nine should be actioned as follows:

1. You add:

· The level of the contract

· The number of cards held in the suit of the opponent

· The number of honours held in the suit of the opponent (include the 10)

2. If the calculated number is nine or more, then you pass for penalty.

3. If the calculated number is eight or less, then you should bid.

For example, if you as South, in the following auction,

N. 1 S     E. 2H     S.  P.     W.  P.

hold Hearts AQ987, which is the suit of the opponent, then the calculation is:

Level = 2
Number of cards held in the suit of the opponent = 5
Number of honours held in the suit of the opponent = 2
Total = 9

Rule of Nine: South should Pass.

Another example, if you, in the above example, held Hearts AQ97, which is the suit of the opponent, then the calculation is:

Level = 2
Number of cards held in the suit of the opponent = 4
Number of honours held in the suit of the opponent = 2
Total = 8

Rule of Nine: South should take some competitive action.