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Detail specifications 1170 - Level 1

Strong openings

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Strong openings
Sometimes your hand is very strong with 20 HCP or more (3rd zone). There are 3 bids you can make which show your strength as of the 1st round:
  • 2NT with 20-21HCP and a regular hand
  • 2 with :
    • 22-23HCP and a regular hand
    • or 18-21HCP and a very nice suit with 6 cards.
  • 2 avec 24HCP or more (french system only)

SWNE
2NT
A
J
6
4
K
7
4
K
6
A
K
Q
10
Problem E1811 With 20-21HCP and a regular hand, opening with 2NT is a priority
 
SWNE
2
A
K
3
K
J
4
K
J
10
A
K
Q
4
Problem E2518 All extra strong hands (24HCP or more) open 2 (french system only)
 
 
To open 2NT you need:
  • 20-21HCP
  • and a balanced hand (no 5-card major, void or singleton)

This bid is non forcing: with a very weak hand your partner will pass.
Examples :
SWNE
2NT
A
J
6
4
K
7
4
K
6
A
K
Q
10
Problem E1811 With 20-21HCP and a regular hand, opening with 2NT is a priority
 
SWNE
1
5
2
A
3
A
K
J
10
8
A
K
J
9
Problem E1820 Even though you have 20HCP, don't open 2NT but 1 club. The little doubleton is too dangerous
 
 
2 club openings cover several types of hand:
  • balanced hands with 22-23HCP (super NT),
  • third-zone one-suiter hands with a strong suit of at least 6 cards,
  • fourth-zone hands with a very strong 5-card major (minimum ace king queen x x).

Some advice:
SWNE
2
A
J
9
2
K
4
K
Q
4
A
K
Q
3
Problème E2506
2 clubsAll very strong balanced hands (22-23HCP) should be opened 2 clubs followed by a NT rebid.
 
 
French system : The 2 diamond opening is the strongest possible opening.
You can use it with any hand. It promises:
  • either 24HCP or more
  • or the number of tricks for game minus one.

Careful! 2 diamonds is game forcing and your partner cannot pass before reaching game.
SWNE
2
A
K
Q
J
9
4
3
A
K
10
5
6
5
Problem E2514 An excellent criteria for choosing the 2 diamond opening: the strength for game less one trick, ie: 9 tricks in a major contract or 10 in a minor one.
 
SWNE
2
A
K
3
K
J
4
K
J
10
A
K
Q
4
Problem E2518 All super strong balanced hands (24HCP or more) should be opened 2 diamonds followed by a NT rebid.