Rule of 20
This rule tells us when we can open
the bidding at the one level
and when we are too strong to pre-empt.
We were taught that we needed at
least 12 HCPs to open the bidding. We might even be daring and open with 11
HCPs if we had a 5 card suit.
When we become more experienced we
realise that the playing strength of the hand, the ability we have to take
tricks often belies the HCP count.
Rule of 20 is a formula that takes into account the shape of our hands and then
considers the HCP count.
It advises
that you are strong enough to open at the one level if
The total number of cards
in your two longest suits
PLUS
the HCP count adds up to 20 or more.
ªAQ874
©KJ876
¨5
§94
There are
10 cards in the two longest suits and
10 HCPs
=20 so open 1S
ªAQ874
©KJ87
¨53
§94
There are
9 cards in the two longest suits and
10 HCPs
=19 so do not open the bidding
Sitting
in the 3rd seat
Good players often use Rule of 20 in 1st
and 2nd seat, but use Rule of 19 in 3rd seat after 2
passes
Sitting in the 4th
seat
Good players don’t use Rule of 19 or 20 in 4th
seat after 3 passes.
They use something called Pearson
Points.
To calculate Pearson Points add
up your HCPs and to the total add the number of cards you hold in the Spade suit.
If the total doesn’t equal 15 it is wiser to PASS.
Pre-empting.
When is a hand that has 6-9 HCPs and a 7 card suit too good
for a pre-emptive 3 level opening?
ªAKQ8764
©9
¨10987
§6
This hand has 9 HCPs with 11 cards is the 2 longest suits – so it fits
the rule of 20. This qualifies it for a 1S opening in 1st and 2nd
seat.
In 3rd after 2 passes seat it is better to open 4S.