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.