DUPLICATE BRIDGE: Major Suits Opening Bids:

MAJOR SUITS OPENING BIDS:

To open in a major suit (hearts or spades), the requirements are:

 a)  an opening hand (13 points)
       and
 b)  a 5-card suit.

When a hand contains 2 five-card major suits, open the higher ranking** first.

EXAMPLE ONE: 

A K 9 8 2                    Open this hand:        1 Spade. 
Q 6 5
Q 4
K 6 2

This hand has the required opening points and 5 cards, open 1 spade.

EXAMPLE TWO: 

A J 8 5                      Open this hand:          1 Heart.
K Q 10 9 5
7 6
K 2

With 5 hearts, open this hand 1 heart.

EXAMPLE THREE: 

K J 9 6 2                    Open this hand:         1 Spade.
A Q 9 7 6
K
10 8

With two 5-card majors, open the spades and rebid the hearts at your next opportunity.

EXAMPLE FOUR: 

A J 8 6 5                   Open this hand:           Pass
K 10 9 5
Q 9
10 2

This hand does not have the required 13 HCP's.

Notes:   ** Suit ranks;  Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs.
                  HCP's;  High Card Points.