Should You Open No-trumps? by Marti Ronemus

The standard meaning of an opening bid of 1 No-trump is:

15-17 HCP. We don't add long or short suit points, because No-trump is essentially saying "I have no distribution."

No more than eight cards in your two longest suits. No singletons, no voids, and no more than one doubleton.

Usually, no five-card major. And we'll talk about that one.

Here are five questions about opening No-trump. See how you do. Then you'll get to play a nifty No-trumps hand. Have fun!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 4
♥ K 7 4 3
♦ A K 8
♣ A J 2

Q: 1 - Should you open this 1 No-trumps?

A: Yes: If you are ever going to open No-trump, this is the time. Flat as a driveway, a stopper in every suit, 17 HCP. Right out of the textbook.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K J 8
♥ A Q 8
♦ K Q 8 4
♣ K J 4

Q: 2 - What say you?

A: No: Too many points. Right shape, but too big. You'll open this 1♦ and then jump to 2 No-trumps, which guarantees 18-19 pts.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K Q 8 4 3
♥ A 8
♦ K Q 9 3
♣ K 9

Q: 3 - Yes? No? Maybe?

A: No: Right points, wrong shape. You have nine cards in two suits, which means you've got a hand too distributional for No-trumps.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K J 4 3
♥ A 8
♦ K 9 3
♣ Q 8 3

Q: 4 - What do you think?

A: Maybe: The world is divided on this one! Some would say "NO" because finding a rebid is difficult. Some would say "YES" because it's a lot easier to dig up a rebid (a jump to 2 No-trumps wouldn't be the worst in the world) than to convince your Pard you've got a five-card major. Talk it over with partner and decide.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 4 3 2
♥ A K 9
♦ Q J 10 6
♣ A K 9

Q: 5 - Last chance! What's your choice?

A: Yes: Perfect shape and point count. Are you worried about not having a Spade stopper? Back "in the day" we learned to not open 1 No-trump without a stopper in every suit, but since then we've learned you can't wait for your ship to come in, you have to go get it and drag it in. And who knows what Pard has?

Now you will get to see the rest of the bidding and play the hand. Have fun!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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