Bidding Guide 2Z05 Richard Pavlicek

Opening Bids

Choosing Your Opening Bid

With a balanced hand
13-15 HCP	open 1 of a suit	N
16-18 HCP	open 1 NT	N
19-20 HCP	open 1 of a suit	N
21-22 HCP	open 2 NT	N
23-24 HCP	open 2	F
25-26 HCP	open 3 NT	N
27+ HCP	open 2	F
With any hand
13-22 points	open 1 of a suit	N
23+ points	open 2	F

Experienced players often lower these ranges to 12-14, 15-17, 18-19 and 20-22, respectively. The point-count requirement for responses, however, does not change — the bottom line is that you sometimes get to a more aggressive contract; hence you need to play the cards well.

In third or fourth seat you may open with 11 or 12 points. When opening light in third seat it is desirable to have a good suit; in fourth seat it is desirable to have length in the major suits, especially spades.

Which Suit To Bid

When opening with one of a suit, if you have
a 5+ card suit	bid your longest suit
5-5 or 6-6 shape	bid higher suit
no 5+ card suit	bid longer minor
4-4 in the minors	bid 1
3-3 in the minors	bid stronger minor