The 'rule of 9'
- Zia does not recommend the use af 'automatic rules' : A little thinking most of the time enables you to reach the appropriate solution.
- When does the rule of 9 apply ? When you hesitate about responding a suit at level 1 because you find your hand particularly weak....
- The rule says : Add your HCP count and the number of cards in the suit you are thinking of bidding :
- If the total reaches 9, bid the suit
- If the total is less than 9: pass !
Example :
You are in South ; North, your partner, opens 1
♦. Will you bid 1
♥ ?
You have 4HCP, the suit you are considering bidding has 4 cards - 4+4=8
8 is smaller than 9, you must pass....