Hand 4 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 4 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the fourth hand I generated:

	North ♠82 ♥KJ76 ♦QT6 ♣KT63
West ♠KQT65 ♥AT3 ♦A4 ♣QJ9		East ♠J973 ♥Q985 ♦53 ♣852
	South ♠A4 ♥42 ♦KJ9872 ♣A74

Dealer is West and everyone is vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
1NT can make by N/S!!!
2♠ makes by E/W
3♦ makes by N/S

Analysis

If West opens up 1NT, North will pass and East will pass. Will South come in?

If South does come to show ♦ West will probably bid 2♠. North can raise to 3♦. Will East compete with 3♠? Will they feel this shows more values? Perhaps not but let's say they do. N/S are unlikely to double so down 1 (minus 100) is better than letting the opponents make 3♦ (110).

If West opens 1♠ again North and East will pass. Will South come in?

If South does come to show ♦ West will either pass or potentially Double to say "Bid Partner". I don't think they are strong enough to do this but whatever West does North will raise to 3♦. Will East compete with 3♠? They are more likely to do so in this auction since they have already denied having any useful values at all with the original "Pass". Plus East knows they do have a nine card fit and this is their LAW level. N/S are unlikely to double so down 1 (minus 100) is better than letting the opponents make 3♦ (110).

So all things are pretty much even (I am slightly favouring 1♠ because East's original pass will show a much weaker hand over a 1♠ opening bid vs a 1NT opening bid) IF South comes in.

What if South does NOT come in?

What happens then?

If South passes West's opening bid (whatever that might be), West will go down in 1NT but make 1♠.

So this one I think is better to open 1♠ because if South does not bid you are better off playing in ♠.

Hand 3 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 3 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the third hand I generated:

	North ♠Q43 ♥8 ♦AJ9432 ♣QT3
West ♠AJ62 ♥QT3 ♦K7 ♣A842		East ♠5 ♥J97652 ♦T86 ♣J65
	South ♠KT987 ♥AK4 ♦Q5 ♣K97

Dealer is South and E/W are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3NT can make
4♠ makes

Analysis

If South opens 1NT the partnership is unlikely to find their ♠ fit. North will probably get the partnership to game but most players don't have the tools to ask if their Partner has a five card major when they open 1NT.

If South opens 1♠, North might show a three card limit raise and South will certainly accept the game try with their 15 HCP.

If North instead forces to game all is good.

4♠ (420) scores better than 3NT (400).

So this hand is better to open 1♠.

Hand 2 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 2 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the second hand I generated:

	North ♠AT63 ♥83 ♦T86 ♣T965
West ♠J2 ♥AT954 ♦K2 ♣J743		East ♠Q9854 ♥KQJ ♦AQ4 ♣K8
	South ♠K7 ♥762 ♦J9753 ♣AQ2

Dealer is East and N/S are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3NT can make
3♥ makes

Analysis

If East opens 1NT West will transfer to their ♥ suit and then bid 2NT to invite game.

East will accept the game try since they have 17 HCP and will no doubt bid 4♥ since they have a ♥ fit.

4♥ can go down.

You can see right away the Opponents can take two ♠ tricks and two ♣ tricks. Even if they don't take them right away it will be hard for East to get enough winners.

3NT will be much easier to make. Declarer has 8 tricks right off the top and they can easily set up a 9th trick in ♠.

If East opens 1♠ then it will be hard for them to find their ♥ fit. West is too weak to bid 2♥ so they must bid 1NT. East with 17 HCP might just invite with 2NT now. West will probably just raise to 3NT.

So this one I think is better to open 1♠ because you don't find the 5-3 ♥ fit which doesn't make.

Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Here are some ways to bid (or investigate) slams over any NT opening hand.

Note that these bids all mean the same whether or not Opener opened the bidding:
1NT to show a balanced hand with 15 to 17 HCP
2NT to show a balanced hand with 20 or 21 HCP
3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP
2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP or
2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

If your NT ranges are slightly different then just change the points Responder needs to make the bid. If Opener has more points, Responder needs fewer points -- that just makes sense.

Note that some people will open 3NT with a balanced 25 to 27 HCP but others start with a 2♣ bid. Both work so it really doesn't matter which one you use.

The bids in this post all assume that Responder does NOT have a four card major (then they would bid Stayman) or a five+ card major (then they would make a Jacoby Transfer).

Point count needed to bid a slam

With a balanced hand opposite a balanced hand you need:
33 HCP to bid a Small Slam
(You should not have only 32 HCP -- Missing 8 HCP you could be missing two Aces! Not good at the 6 level.)

37 HCP to bid a Grand Slam
(You should not have only 36 HCP -- Missing 4 HCP you could be missing one Ace! Not good at the 7 level.)

Quantitative 4NT

If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 4NT right away is asking Opener to bid 6NT if they are at the top of their range and "Pass" the 4NT bid if they are at the bottom of their range.

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 16 or 17 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 12 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 6 or 7 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 9 or 10 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 6 or 7 HCP to bid 4NT.

5NT

If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 5NT right away is asking Opener to bid 6NT if they are at the bottom of their range and bid 7NT if they are at the top of their range. Note that this bid is 100% FORCING!!!

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 20 or 21 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 16 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 10 or 11 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 13 or 14 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 10 or 11 HCP to bid 5NT.

6NT

If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 6NT right away is just setting the contract. Responder wants to play in a small slam and no higher. Opener must "Pass".

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 18 or 19 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 13 to 15 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 8 or 9 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 11 or 12 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 8 or 9 HCP to bid 6NT.

7NT

If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 7NT right away is just setting the contract. Responder wants to play in a gram slam. Opener must "Pass".

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 22 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 17 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 12 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 15 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 12 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Do you need to memorize all these point counts?

No! That is hard work. Just remember what the each of the different bids ask Partner and memorize how many points you need for a small slam and a grand slam. Then do the math.

4NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" with a MINIMUM and bid 6NT with a MAXIMUM
5NT -- asks Opener to bid 6NT with a MINIMUM and bid 7NT with a MAXIMUM
6NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" since you want the partnership to be in a small slam only
7NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" since you want the partnership to be in a grand slam

25 or 26 to 33 HCP -- Game only
33 HCP -- Small Slam
37 HCP -- Grand Slam

A) You know how many points Partner (Opener) has -- their opening bid told you. Perfect!
B) You know how many points you have in your hand. Just count them.
C) Do the math to see where you belong if Partner (Opener) has the MINIMUM of their range.
D) Do the math to see where you belong if Partner (Opener) has the MAXIMUM of the range.

If the answer is the same -- just make that BID!
If the answer is different -- you need to ASK!

Example 1

Here is my hand:
♠AQ3
♥K9
♦QT65
♣QJ63

My Partner opens up the bidding 2NT. I know they have 20 or 21 HCP.

I count my HCP. I have 14 HCP.

If Partner has 20 HCP (their minimum), that together with my 14 HCP means the partnership has 34 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.
If Partner has 21 HCP (their maximum), that together with my 14 HCP means the partnership has 35 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.

So not matter how many points Partner has I know the contract belongs in 6NT.

I bid 6NT.

Example 2

Here is my hand:
♠KQ3
♥97
♦QT65
♣T643

My Partner opens up the bidding 3NT. I know they have 25 to 27 HCP.

I count my HCP. I have 7 HCP.

If Partner has 25 HCP (their minimum), that together with my 7 HCP means the partnership has 32 HCP. This is enough to be in a game but NOT enough to bid 6NT. We can't quite make the small slam.
If Partner has 27 HCP (their maximum), that together with my 7 HCP means the partnership has 34 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.

So if Partner is MINIMUM I want be playing in a game only.
However if Partner is MAXIMUM I want be playing in 6NT.

How do I ask Partner to stop below 6NT if they are MINIMUM but bid 6NT if they are MAXIMUM?

That is the 4NT bid.

I bid 4NT to ask Partner if they are MINIMUM or MAXIMUM for their range.

Want some practice on slam bidding?

First of all you need a Partner. Grab your favourite Partner and ask them to bid with you.

To start with you click on the link to get to the North hands. Click HERE to get the North hands!

Tell your Partner to click on the link to get to the South hands. Click HERE to get the South hands!

North will start the bidding. They can open whatever they want. (Hint: Since these are balanced hand slams North will be opening some number of NTs if they play the same ranges as above.)

Once North bids, South will make a bid.

Back to North to make another bid

Back to South to make another bid

and so on until ONE person says "Pass"

the auction ends and you have arrived in your contract.

If you would like to see the auction I suggest please click HERE.

Enjoy!!!

Please leave a comment if you find the bidding hands useful. I can make more if people are enjoying them.

Suggested Bidding for Strong Balanced Hands Bidding

Hand 1

North
♠AK82
♥KJT2
♦AT
♣AJ2

South
♠J6
♥A54
♦K965
♣KQT9

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 2

North
♠AKQ2
♥KJ6
♦AK83
♣KJ

South
♠J3
♥A42
♦QJ4
♣AQ853

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	5NT
7NT	Pass

Hand 3

North
♠Q75
♥AJ8
♦AQ4
♣QT42

South
♠AK
♥K62
♦KJ982
♣KJ3

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 4

North
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 5

North
♠83
♥A87
♦AQ76
♣AJ85

South
♠AJ6
♥Q9
♦KJ93
♣KQ94

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 6

North
♠AQ7
♥QJ8
♦K54
♣KQ42

South
♠KT2
♥KT3
♦AQ72
♣AJT

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 7

North
♠T4
♥AKJ6
♦QJ76
♣A86

South
♠AQ6
♥Q2
♦AK3
♣KJT52

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 8

North
♠KJ
♥Q643
♦AKQ2
♣AK4

South
♠753
♥AK7
♦T93
♣QJ63

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 9

North
♠AQT5
♥KJ87
♦KQ6
♣83

South
♠K72
♥A6
♦AJ92
♣AK76

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 10

North
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 11

North
♠Q6
♥KQ32
♦AK43
♣AQ3

South
♠A7
♥AJT
♦Q752
♣KT74

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 12

North
♠AT5
♥A52
♦AQ75
♣K86

South
♠KQ3
♥KQ7
♦KJ6
♣AQJ7

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	5NT
7NT	Pass

Hand 13

North
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 14

North
♠A52
♥KJ
♦Q84
♣AK872

South
♠KQ6
♥A63
♦AKT7
♣T65

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 15

North
♠AK82
♥KJ6
♦AK83
♣KJ

South
♠QJ3
♥A42
♦QJ4
♣A853

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 16

North
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦KQ8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 17

North
♠QJT
♥AQ
♦K832
♣AKQ6

South
♠A87
♥98
♦AQJ4
♣JT75

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 18

North
♠A2
♥KJT4
♦AK7
♣KQ72

South
♠KJ7
♥A98
♦62
♣AJT85

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 19

North
♠KQ9
♥KJ7
♦KJ54
♣AKQ

South
♠A7
♥63
♦AQ962
♣J965

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 20

North
♠KQJ
♥QT6
♦AQ65
♣K86

South
♠A96
♥AK4
♦J72
♣AJ95

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 21

North
♠AT2
♥AKQ8
♦KQJ9
♣AQ

South
♠KQ6
♥J63
♦AT5
♣J753

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 22

North
♠A97
♥QJ8
♦K54
♣KQ42

South
♠KT2
♥KT3
♦AQ72
♣AJT

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 23

North
♠KQ2
♥KJ43
♦AKT
♣A92

South
♠AJ8
♥AQ9
♦QJ43
♣KJ8

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	7NT
Pass

Hand 24

North
♠AT2
♥AKQ8
♦KQJ9
♣AQ

South
♠KQ6
♥J63
♦AT5
♣J753

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 25

North
♠Q4
♥AQ9
♦754
♣AK643

South
♠AKJ
♥J6
♦KJ8
♣QJ972

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 26

North
♠AQ
♥AKJ
♦Q53
♣AK987

South
♠KJ7
♥63
♦AJ4
♣QJ642

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 27

North
♠AT5
♥A52
♦AQ75
♣K86

South
♠KQ3
♥KQ7
♦JT6
♣AQJ7

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 28

North
♠AKQ9
♥AJ5
♦A9
♣AQ42

South
♠J54
♥Q3
♦QJ63
♣KJT6

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 29

North
♠QT4
♥AQ
♦K832
♣AKQ6

South
♠A87
♥98
♦AQJ4
♣JT75

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 30

North
♠J64
♥AQJ
♦AQJ2
♣AKJ

South
♠AQ3
♥K32
♦94
♣QT974

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 31

North
♠AQJ8
♥AQ65
♦K9
♣AJ7

South
♠72
♥AT4
♦KJ82
♣KQ32

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 32

North
♠A52
♥Q4
♦Q84
♣AK872

South
♠KQ6
♥A63
♦AKT7
♣T65

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 33

North
♠AJ2
♥AQJ
♦Q76
♣KT93

South
♠KQ8
♥K65
♦KJT2
♣AJ7

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 34

North
♠KJT4
♥A2
♦KQ72
♣AK7

South
♠A98
♥KJ7
♦AJT85
♣62

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 35

North
♠AKJ6
♥T4
♦A86
♣QJ76

South
♠Q2
♥AQ6
♦KJT52
♣AK3

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 36

North
♠KJ6
♥AKQ2
♦KJ
♣AK83

South
♠A42
♥J3
♦AQ853
♣QJ4

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	5NT
7NT	Pass

Hand 37

North
♠KJ87
♥AQT5
♦83
♣KQ6

South
♠A6
♥K72
♦AK76
♣AJ92

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 38

North
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 39

North
♠AQ
♥QJT
♦AKQ6
♣K832

South
♠98
♥A87
♦JT75
♣AQJ4

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 40

North
♠QJ8
♥A97
♦KQ42
♣K54

South
♠KT3
♥KT2
♦AJT
♣AQ72

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 41

North
♠QT6
♥KQJ
♦K86
♣AQ65

South
♠AK4
♥A96
♦AJ95
♣J72

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 42

North
♠AQ
♥QT4
♦AKQ6
♣K832

South
♠98
♥A87
♦JT75
♣AQJ4

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 43

North
♠KQ32
♥Q6
♦AQ3
♣AK43

South
♠AJT
♥A7
♦KT74
♣Q752

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 44

North
♠AJ5
♥AKQ9
♦AQ42
♣A9

South
♠Q3
♥J54
♦KJT6
♣QJ63

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 45

North
♠AQ9
♥Q4
♦AK643
♣754

South
♠J6
♥AKJ
♦QJ972
♣KJ8

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 46

North
♠AQ65
♥AQJ8
♦AJ7
♣K9

South
♠AT4
♥72
♦KQ32
♣KJ82

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 47

North
♠AQJ
♥AJ2
♦KT93
♣Q76

South
♠K65
♥KQ8
♦AJ7
♣KJT2

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 48

North
♠AKJ
♥AQ
♦AK987
♣Q53

South
♠63
♥KJ7
♦QJ642
♣AJ4

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 49

North
♠Q643
♥KJ
♦AK4
♣AKQ2

South
♠AK7
♥753
♦QJ63
♣T93

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 50

North
♠KJ6
♥AK82
♦KJ
♣AK83

South
♠A42
♥QJ3
♦A853
♣QJ4

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 51

North
♠KJ43
♥KQ2
♦A92
♣AKT

South
♠AQ9
♥AJ8
♦KJ8
♣QJ43

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	7NT
Pass

Hand 52

North
♠KJ7
♥KQ9
♦AKQ
♣KJ54

South
♠63
♥A7
♦J965
♣AQ962

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 53

North
♠AKQ8
♥AT2
♦AQ
♣KQJ9

South
♠J63
♥KQ6
♦J753
♣AT5

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 54

North
♠Q4
♥A52
♦AK872
♣Q84

South
♠A63
♥KQ6
♦T65
♣AKT7

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 55

North
♠AKQ8
♥AT2
♦AQ
♣KQJ9

South
♠J63
♥KQ6
♦J753
♣AT5

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	5NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 56

North
♠KJT2
♥AK82
♦AJ2
♣AT

South
♠A54
♥J6
♦KQT9
♣K965

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 57

North
♠A52
♥AT5
♦K86
♣AQ75

South
♠KQ7
♥KQ3
♦AQJ7
♣KJ6

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	5NT
7NT	Pass

Hand 58

North
♠KJ
♥A52
♦AK872
♣Q84

South
♠A63
♥KQ6
♦T65
♣AKT7

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 59

North
♠AJ8
♥Q75
♦QT42
♣AQ4

South
♠K62
♥AK
♦KJ3
♣KJ982

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 60

North
♠AQJ
♥J64
♦AKJ
♣AQJ2

South
♠K32
♥AQ3
♦QT974
♣94

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
2NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 61

North
♠A52
♥AT5
♦K86
♣AQ75

South
♠KQ7
♥KQ3
♦AQJ7
♣JT6

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	6NT
Pass

Hand 62

North
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣KQ8

South
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 63

North
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 64

North
♠A87
♥83
♦AJ85
♣AQ76

South
♠Q9
♥AJ6
♦KQ94
♣KJ93

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
Pass

Hand 65

North
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
2♣	2♦
3NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

Hand 66

North
♠QJ8
♥AQ7
♦KQ42
♣K54

South
♠KT3
♥KT2
♦AJT
♣AQ72

Suggested Bidding:

North	South
1NT	4NT
6NT	Pass

South Hands for Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Hand 1
♠J6
♥A54
♦K965
♣KQT9

Hand 2
♠J3
♥A42
♦QJ4
♣AQ853

Hand 3
♠AK
♥K62
♦KJ982
♣KJ3

Hand 4
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Hand 5
♠AJ6
♥Q9
♦KJ93
♣KQ94

Hand 6
♠KT2
♥KT3
♦AQ72
♣AJT

Hand 7
♠AQ6
♥Q2
♦AK3
♣KJT52

Hand 8
♠753
♥AK7
♦T93
♣QJ63

Hand 9
♠K72
♥A6
♦AJ92
♣AK76

Hand 10
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Hand 11
♠A7
♥AJT
♦Q752
♣KT74

Hand 12
♠KQ3
♥KQ7
♦KJ6
♣AQJ7

Hand 13
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Hand 14
♠KQ6
♥A63
♦AKT7
♣T65

Hand 15
♠QJ3
♥A42
♦QJ4
♣A853

Hand 16
♠QJ7
♥JT6
♦8765
♣K74

Hand 17
♠A87
♥98
♦AQJ4
♣JT75

Hand 18
♠KJ7
♥A98
♦62
♣AJT85

Hand 19
♠A7
♥63
♦AQ962
♣J965

Hand 20
♠A96
♥AK4
♦J72
♣AJ95

Hand 21
♠KQ6
♥J63
♦AT5
♣J753

Hand 22
♠KT2
♥KT3
♦AQ72
♣AJT

Hand 23
♠AJ8
♥AQ9
♦QJ43
♣KJ8

Hand 24
♠KQ6
♥J63
♦AT5
♣J753

Hand 25
♠AKJ
♥J6
♦KJ8
♣QJ972

Hand 26
♠KJ7
♥63
♦AJ4
♣QJ642

Hand 27
♠KQ3
♥KQ7
♦JT6
♣AQJ7

Hand 28
♠J54
♥Q3
♦QJ63
♣KJT6

Hand 29
♠A87
♥98
♦AQJ4
♣JT75

Hand 30
♠AQ3
♥K32
♦94
♣QT974

Hand 31
♠72
♥AT4
♦KJ82
♣KQ32

Hand 32
♠KQ6
♥A63
♦AKT7
♣T65

Hand 33
♠KQ8
♥K65
♦KJT2
♣AJ7

Hand 34
♠A98
♥KJ7
♦AJT85
♣62

Hand 35
♠Q2
♥AQ6
♦KJT52
♣AK3

Hand 36
♠A42
♥J3
♦AQ853
♣QJ4

Hand 37
♠A6
♥K72
♦AK76
♣AJ92

Hand 38
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Hand 39
♠98
♥A87
♦JT75
♣AQJ4

Hand 40
♠KT3
♥KT2
♦AJT
♣AQ72

Hand 41
♠AK4
♥A96
♦AJ95
♣J72

Hand 42
♠98
♥A87
♦JT75
♣AQJ4

Hand 43
♠AJT
♥A7
♦KT74
♣Q752

Hand 44
♠Q3
♥J54
♦KJT6
♣QJ63

Hand 45
♠J6
♥AKJ
♦QJ972
♣KJ8

Hand 46
♠AT4
♥72
♦KQ32
♣KJ82

Hand 47
♠K65
♥KQ8
♦AJ7
♣KJT2

Hand 48
♠63
♥KJ7
♦QJ642
♣AJ4

Hand 49
♠AK7
♥753
♦QJ63
♣T93

Hand 50
♠A42
♥QJ3
♦A853
♣QJ4

Hand 51
♠AQ9
♥AJ8
♦KJ8
♣QJ43

Hand 52
♠63
♥A7
♦J965
♣AQ962

Hand 53
♠J63
♥KQ6
♦J753
♣AT5

Hand 54
♠A63
♥KQ6
♦T65
♣AKT7

Hand 55
♠J63
♥KQ6
♦J753
♣AT5

Hand 56
♠A54
♥J6
♦KQT9
♣K965

Hand 57
♠KQ7
♥KQ3
♦AQJ7
♣KJ6

Hand 58
♠A63
♥KQ6
♦T65
♣AKT7

Hand 59
♠K62
♥AK
♦KJ3
♣KJ982

Hand 60
♠K32
♥AQ3
♦QT974
♣94

Hand 61
♠KQ7
♥KQ3
♦AQJ7
♣JT6

Hand 62
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Hand 63
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Hand 64
♠Q9
♥AJ6
♦KQ94
♣KJ93

Hand 65
♠JT6
♥QJ7
♦K74
♣8765

Hand 66
♠KT3
♥KT2
♦AJT
♣AQ72

Post settings Labels Published on 8/15/20, 4:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time Permalink Location Options

North Hands for Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Hand 1
♠AK82
♥KJT2
♦AT
♣AJ2

Hand 2
♠AKQ2
♥KJ6
♦AK83
♣KJ

Hand 3
♠Q75
♥AJ8
♦AQ4
♣QT42

Hand 4
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 5
♠83
♥A87
♦AQ76
♣AJ85

Hand 6
♠AQ7
♥QJ8
♦K54
♣KQ42

Hand 7
♠T4
♥AKJ6
♦QJ76
♣A86

Hand 8
♠KJ
♥Q643
♦AKQ2
♣AK4

Hand 9
♠AQT5
♥KJ87
♦KQ6
♣83

Hand 10
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 11
♠Q6
♥KQ32
♦AK43
♣AQ3

Hand 12
♠AT5
♥A52
♦AQ75
♣K86

Hand 13
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 14
♠A52
♥KJ
♦Q84
♣AK872

Hand 15
♠AK82
♥KJ6
♦AK83
♣KJ

Hand 16
♠AK3
♥AQ42
♦KQ8
♣AQJ

Hand 17
♠QJT
♥AQ
♦K832
♣AKQ6

Hand 18
♠A2
♥KJT4
♦AK7
♣KQ72

Hand 19
♠KQ9
♥KJ7
♦KJ54
♣AKQ

Hand 20
♠KQJ
♥QT6
♦AQ65
♣K86

Hand 21
♠AT2
♥AKQ8
♦KQJ9
♣AQ

Hand 22
♠A97
♥QJ8
♦K54
♣KQ42

Hand 23
♠KQ2
♥KJ43
♦AKT
♣A92

Hand 24
♠AT2
♥AKQ8
♦KQJ9
♣AQ

Hand 25
♠Q4
♥AQ9
♦754
♣AK643

Hand 26
♠AQ
♥AKJ
♦Q53
♣AK987

Hand 27
♠AT5
♥A52
♦AQ75
♣K86

Hand 28
♠AKQ9
♥AJ5
♦A9
♣AQ42

Hand 29
♠QT4
♥AQ
♦K832
♣AKQ6

Hand 30
♠J64
♥AQJ
♦AQJ2
♣AKJ

Hand 31
♠AQJ8
♥AQ65
♦K9
♣AJ7

Hand 32
♠A52
♥Q4
♦Q84
♣AK872

Hand 33
♠AJ2
♥AQJ
♦Q76
♣KT93

Hand 34
♠KJT4
♥A2
♦KQ72
♣AK7

Hand 35
♠AKJ6
♥T4
♦A86
♣QJ76

Hand 36
♠KJ6
♥AKQ2
♦KJ
♣AK83

Hand 37
♠KJ87
♥AQT5
♦83
♣KQ6

Hand 38
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 39
♠AQ
♥QJT
♦AKQ6
♣K832

Hand 40
♠QJ8
♥A97
♦KQ42
♣K54

Hand 41
♠QT6
♥KQJ
♦K86
♣AQ65

Hand 42
♠AQ
♥QT4
♦AKQ6
♣K832

Hand 43
♠KQ32
♥Q6
♦AQ3
♣AK43

Hand 44
♠AJ5
♥AKQ9
♦AQ42
♣A9

Hand 45
♠AQ9
♥Q4
♦AK643
♣754

Hand 46
♠AQ65
♥AQJ8
♦AJ7
♣K9

Hand 47
♠AQJ
♥AJ2
♦KT93
♣Q76

Hand 48
♠AKJ
♥AQ
♦AK987
♣Q53

Hand 49
♠Q643
♥KJ
♦AK4
♣AKQ2

Hand 50
♠KJ6
♥AK82
♦KJ
♣AK83

Hand 51
♠KJ43
♥KQ2
♦A92
♣AKT

Hand 52
♠KJ7
♥KQ9
♦AKQ
♣KJ54

Hand 53
♠AKQ8
♥AT2
♦AQ
♣KQJ9

Hand 54
♠Q4
♥A52
♦AK872
♣Q84

Hand 55
♠AKQ8
♥AT2
♦AQ
♣KQJ9

Hand 56
♠KJT2
♥AK82
♦AJ2
♣AT

Hand 57
♠A52
♥AT5
♦K86
♣AQ75

Hand 58
♠KJ
♥A52
♦AK872
♣Q84

Hand 59
♠AJ8
♥Q75
♦QT42
♣AQ4

Hand 60
♠AQJ
♥J64
♦AKJ
♣AQJ2

Hand 61
♠A52
♥AT5
♦K86
♣AQ75

Hand 62
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣KQ8

Hand 63
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 64
♠A87
♥83
♦AJ85
♣AQ76

Hand 65
♠AQ42
♥AK3
♦AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 66
♠QJ8
♥AQ7
♦KQ42
♣K54

Question 5

Hi Heidi,

We encountered a number of challenging hands (to us) in bidding lately. Please provide us some insight:

How should N rebid with his hand?

Should N have opened with 1♦ in the third seat after partner has Passed and N has a strong hand?

NS vulnerable, S is dealer:

	North ♠A ♥KT97 ♦AQT4 ♣AQ72
West ♠K9764 ♥862 ♦K765 ♣5		East ♠T5 ♥AQ4 ♦832 ♣KT642
	South ♠QJ832 ♥J53 ♦J9 ♣J98

N	E	S	W
		Pass	Pass
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer

Absolutely North should open 1♦. They are too weak to open a strong 2♣ bid so must open at the 1 level.

After South responds, North knows the partnership belongs in game. They can REVERSE into their four card ♥ suit. South will rebid 2♠ to show a five card suit and North will then jump to 3NT.

Instead of making a reverse North can tell Partner they are strong by making a JUMP SHIFT. They can rebid 3♣. This now shows an unbalanced hand that wants to get to game even if South is minimum for their response.

What does South do now? They must bid.

Probably doesn't matter what they do. If South rebids 3NT then North will "Pass". If South rebids 3♠ then North will bid 3NT and South will "Pass".

Any other options over 1♠?

North can rebid 2NT. But South is allowed to "Pass" that bid and probably would since they are weak. That would not be a good bid by North especially with their singleton.

North can rebid 3NT depending on what you play that as. If you have no agreement South will probably just "Pass" out of fright.

So all roads on this hand lead to 3NT. Which should be a fine contract to be in.