Opening 1 suit 4 card majors : Bridge Online

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When you have counted your points, you need to decide if you have enough to open. To open the bidding 1♣, 1♦, 1♥ or 1♠ you should have between 12 and 19 HCP.

	♠ A2
	♥ AQ9
	♦ AJ3
	♣ Q8643

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	?

You have 17 HCP which is plenty. What suit do you want to have as trumps?

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	1♣

Clubs are your longest suit on this hand so the correct opening bid is 1♣. Length before strength!

	♠ A2
	♥ J9864
	♦ 32
	♣ AKQ2

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	1♥

This time your hearts are longer than your clubs. The correct opening bid is 1♥.

	♠ A2
	♥ KQJ2
	♦ KJ2
	♣ Q632

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	?

Sometimes you will have two suits that are the same length.

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	1♣

The correct opening bid with your hand is 1♣. Open the lower of your 4-card suits.

	♠ 2
	♥ KQJ92
	♦ K3
	♣ Q8632

	North	East	South	West
	P	P	1♥

The correct opening bid with this hand is 1♥. Open the higher of your 5-card suits.

Opening the Bidding - Summary
• 12-19 HCP
• Longest suit
• Lower ranking 4-card suit
• Higher ranking 5-card suit

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