5 Clubs and 4 Diamonds

With 5 ♠ and 4 ♠, you would never open 1♠. But, with 5 ♠ and 4 ♠, you will often open 1♠. Why? Suppose you open 1♠ with this hand: ♠♠ KJ2 ♠ AJ43 ♠ A7642. Your partner responds 1♠. Now what? You are stuck. You don't want to rebid 1NT with a singleton. You can't reverse into diamonds with a minimum hand. You don't want to rebid that ratty club suit. The solution is to open 1♠ and rebid 2♠. Partner won't know you have more clubs than diamonds, but at least you have found a way to show both minors. Will you always open 1♠ with 4♠ and 5♠? Not at all. In this quiz, we will reveal more within each question and answer.

  • ♠ KJ4  
    ♥ 2  
    ♦ AQJ7  
    ♣ Q7654
     What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    Other

    Answer: 2

    1♠. This is the typical "avoid the rebid" problem by opening 1♠. If you open 1♠, you are unprepared for a 1♠ response from partner.

    Your result so far:
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  • ♠ K984  
    ♥ --  
    ♦ K842  
    ♣ AK983
     What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    other

    Answer: 1

    1♠. There is no reason to distort your suit lengths here. You are prepared for any response to 1♠. If partner responds in a red suit, you can show your 4-card spade suit. 1♠-1♠-1♠ is not a reverse! A reverse has to be a rebid on a higher level of a higher-ranking suit than opener's first suit. If partner responds 1♠, you have enough to raise to 3♠. Only a 1NT response will slightly inconvenience you. In that unlikely event, you can rebid 2♠ (the opponents will have at least a 10-card heart fit!).

    Your result so far:
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  • ♠ 2  
    ♥ Q54 
    ♦ KQ76  
    ♣ AJ432
     What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    other

    Answer: 2

    1♠. If you open 1♠, the most likely thing out of partner's mouth (or bidding box) is 1♠. You are then stuck. Anticipating this dilemma, the best opening is 1♠ (followed by 2♠ if partner bids the expected 1♠).

    Your result so far:
    Next
  • ♠ K  
    ♥ J32  
    ♦ J432  
    ♣ AKJ104
     What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    other

    Answer: 1

    1♠. This time, the bigger distortion would be 1♠. With such good clubs, I prefer to take a chance with 1♠ and cope. If partner responds 1♠, I would rebid 1NT (the singleton is a high honor and in partner's suit). This is the least of evils. But, please don't tell anyone that Larry Cohen recommended rebidding 1NT with a singleton.

    Your result so far:
    Next
  • ♠ 32  
    ♥ 32  
    ♦ Q543  
    ♣ AKQJ6
     What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    other

    Answer: 1

    1♠. As in #4, it is a question of giving the most accurate description. This doesn't feel like 1♠ then 2♠ with such a disparity in suit quality. I like 1♠ to start. If partner responds in a major, you have a choice of repeating the clubs (usually this would show 6) or 1NT (a bit short on a stopper in the other major).

    Your result so far:
    Next
  • ♠ 4  
    ♥ KQ8  
    ♦ AQJ10  
    ♣ KQJ109
     

    What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    Other

    Answer: 1

    1♠. You have a strong enough hand to open 1♠ and if partner bids 1♠ (as partner always does), you can bid 2♠--a reverse. 

    Your result so far:
    Next
  • ♠ K  
    ♥ KJ4  
    ♦ Q543  
    ♣ Q5432
     

    What is your opening bid?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    1♠

    2. -

    1♠

    3. -

    Other

    Answer: 3

    Other. Pass! This is why I don't like rules. If you follow the rule of 20, you have 11 HCP and 9 cards in your longest suits. This hand is a good rebuttal. Your values are outside of your suits and you have no good spot cards (10s and 9s).  When an opening bid is marginal (and this is really less than that), don't open if it will cause a distortion or rebid problem.

    Your result so far:
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