What to do NOW?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠QT62
♥3
♦AQ83
♣AK76

You are Dealer. We decided last post to open the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the bidding. Your Partner responds 1♥.

What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠.

You should now show your four card major. Partner could have four ♠ also! Bidding 1NT right now DENIES having four ♠.

What to open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠QT62
♥3
♦AQ83
♣AK76

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With four cards in both minors you tend to open 1♦. This makes it quite a bit easier to show your shape later on.

Rebid

Playing matchpoints. You are not vulnerable and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AT52
♥K864
♦986
♣T8

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are strangely silent during the auction. You respond 1♥ (four card suits up the line!) and Partner rebids 2♦. What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

You have a nice trump fit for Partner.

More importantly you do NOT have a major suit fit. You told Partner you have four ♥ and Partner did not care.

Then what did Partner do? Did they bid 1♠? No. They do NOT have four ♠. No need to search for a fit in that suit either.

Overcalls

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are not vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠KT8
♥AQJ
♦QJT
♣AJ95

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♦. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

This shows a good 15 to 18 points because you are an overcall.

You wouldn't open the bidding 1NT (you have 18 HCP and are too strong) but you can overcall 1NT with up to 18 HCP.

Open?

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are not vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠A8
♥QJT9
♦985
♣AKJT

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT.

You have a balanced hand with 15 HCP (High Card Points). This is the only way to describe this hand. Don't worry you don't have any high cards in the ♦ suit. If Partner puts you up to game they probably will.

What to Open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠KT96
♥AQ8742
♦K
♣92

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good if you opened the bidding 1♥. You do have 12 HCP (High Card Points). But your singleton K♦ is pretty bad so I get it if you want to "Pass" and come in later.

I'm also okay if you want to "Pass" to start with and come in later to show a nice hand.

I'm NOT okay with opening this hand 2♥ as a weak 2 bid.

A weak 2 bid is reserved for a weak hand with a good six card suit. You have an outside four card major and also 12 HCP which is basically an opening hand. This is NOT a weak hand!

Responding

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠762
♥7
♦KQJ4
♣97652

Partner opens the bidding 1♥. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

This does NOT show a balanced hand.

You are telling Partner you do NOT have three ♥, you do NOT have four ♠ and you have between 6 and 10 High Card Points (HCP). All of which is true.

Bidding 2♣ tells Partner you have 10 or more HCP. Passing tells Partner you don't even have 6 points.