Bidding Guide 2Z05 by Richard Pavlicek

Opening Bids

Choosing Your Opening Bid

With a balanced hand
13-15 HCP	open 1 of a suit	N
16-18 HCP	open 1 NT	N
19-20 HCP	open 1 of a suit	N
21-22 HCP	open 2 NT	N
23-24 HCP	open 2	F
25-26 HCP	open 3 NT	N
27+ HCP	open 2	F
With any hand
13-22 points	open 1 of a suit	N
23+ points	open 2	F

Experienced players often lower these ranges to 12-14, 15-17, 18-19 and 20-22, respectively. The point-count requirement for responses, however, does not change — the bottom line is that you sometimes get to a more aggressive contract; hence you need to play the cards well.

With less than 14 total points you should have at least 2 quick tricks (AK = 2, AQ = 1 1/2, A = 1, KQ = 1, K = 1/2).

In third or fourth seat you may open with 11 or more points (no quick-trick requirement). When opening light in third seat it is desirable to have a good suit; in fourth seat it is desirable to have length in the major suits, especially spades.

Which Suit To Bid

When opening with one of a suit, if you have
a 5+ card suit	bid your longest suit
5-5 or 6-6 shape	bid higher suit
no 5+ card suit	bid longer minor
4-4 in the minors	bid 1
3-3 in the minors	bid stronger minor