feb1.indd

English 54 or higher, your hand quali fi es for an opening bid after three Passes. If the total is less than 15, Pass it out!”. Let’s look at some examples: ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ KQT42 94 97 AJ82 10 HCP plus 5 spades = 15. Even though you would not have opened as dealer, after three Passes you should bid 1 ♠ . ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ 2 KQ32 KJ3 KJ432 13 HCP plus 1 spade = 14. Even though you would have opened 1 ♣ as dealer, you are now advised to Pass it out. An opening bid at the 4 th seat is likely to lead to a minus score. ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ 43 AK86 QJT32 J7 11 HCP plus 2 spades = 13. This hand may qualify to an opening bid according to the rule of 20, but you would do better to Pass it out. ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ 542 AKQJ2 QJ3 95 13 HCP plus 3 spades = 16. This is a good hand, and you open 1 ♥ , expecting a plus score. This is a rule worth using, because it works!