What to Open?

Playing Matchpoints. The Opponents are vulnerable and you are not vulnerable. Here is your hand:

♠AJ4
♥654
♦8
♣KQT972

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

How about "Pass"?

You could try opening the bidding 3♣ but the problem is PARTNER might have the nice hand. You might mess up Partner.

If you opened 3♣ Partner will probably let you play it there. You can take 10 tricks in ♣.

If you "Pass" Partner will open the bidding. Now you can show your ♣ and also show you have 10 or more HCP.

Partner will end up bidding (and making!) 3NT because now Partner knows you are not just a weak hand with ♣.

What to Open?

Playing Matchpoints. The Opponents are vulnerable and you are not vulnerable. Here is your hand:

♠T
♥7
♦KJT987642
♣K7

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about 5♦?

This a hand with less than opening values with a good NINE card suit.

With a six card suit you open at the 2 level. With a 7 card suit you open at the 3 level. With an eight card suit you open at the 4 level.

The problem with bidding 3♦ is that it doesn't mess up the Opponents that much. They will get to their slam now.

Some people even got to play 5♦. These fortunate people went down 3 but the Opponents can make 7 of either major or even 7NT.

Rebidding your Major

Here is your hand:

♠94
♥AKQT98
♦K3
♣A65

Partner opens the bidding with a "Pass". The Opponents are silent during the auction. You decide to open the bidding 1♥. Partner now bids 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about 3♥?

This shows 16 to 18 HCP with a GOOD six card ♥ suit.


The problem with rebidding 2♥ is that Partner will never think you have this nice of a hand. You can't or you would have bid 3♥.