Open or Pre-empt?

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

Here is your hand:
♠Q8
♥AQT972
♦83
♣QT5

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

2♥.

This shows a weak hand with a good six card suit.

Don't worry that your hand it too good to open a weak 2. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are not so Partner will expect a decent hand.

Besides you don't have much defence and Partner will expect a stronger hand if you open the bidding 1♥.

Even the Rule of 20 says to open 2♥ -- not 1♥.

Rule of 20 says to count your HCP (you have ten) and add that to the length in your two longest suits (you have six cards in your longest suit and three cards in your second longest suit so that makes nine total) and if that value is twenty or more you should consider this an opening hand. But ten plus nine is only nineteen. Not an opening hand.

If you do use the Rule of 20 you should also consider that your high card values should be in your LONG suits plus most people play you should have two quick tricks on the hand. Either two Aces or a Ace and King together or an Ace with two side Kings -- something like that.