1 in a Suit Openings & Suit raises - Facts sheet 3

Opening bids of 1 in a Suit in the order of their priority :

  1. 1♠ = 13-21 points, 5+ spades, any shape

  2. 1♥ = 13-21 points, 5+ hearts, any shape

  3. 1♦ = 13-21 points, 4+ diamonds, any shape

  4. 1♣ = 13-21 points, 2+ clubs, any shape

Shortage Points
When a trump fit (8 trumps combined) has been found count Shortage points (SP) instead of Length Points :

Doubleton = 1 SP     Singleton = 3 SP     Void = 5 SP

Suit raises by the Responder are :

  1. 1♥ - Pass   =   0-5 points

  2. 1♥ - 2♥   =   weak raise, 6-10 pts, 3+card trump support

  3. 1♥ - bid new suit (bid 3♥ next time) =   Limit raise, 11-12 pts, 3+card support

  4. 1♥ - 3♥   =   Game force, 13+ pts, 3+card support>

  5. 1♥ - 4♥   =   Pre-emptive raise, 6-10 HCP, 4+card support, singleton or void

Opener's replies are :


Opening leads in trump contracts

  1. If your Partner has made a bid, lead your highest card of his suit

  2. lead the top of a solid sequence (K Q J   or   Q J 10   or   J 10 9   or   10 9 8,   but   A K Q)

  3. lead K from A K x x (to "have a look at Dummy")

  4. lead a singleton or top of a doubleton

  5. lead trumps if you hold only 2 or 3 small trumps.