BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WHAT do you open on this hand?

ONE of the old-fashioned maxims of sound bidding is that you should always show the full value of your hand at the first opportunity. But styles have changed and now it is difficult to find too many hands on which there would be universal consensus.

This hand is very strong, though it only has 13hCPs. If a fit for either suit can be found, the hand has only three losers. even if partner has a very weak hand, I’d want to play in game.

Therefore, it is sensible to open with a Strong Two bid, which has three benefits: you force partner to respond and, therefore, can show your second suit; 2 ♥ can have a pre-emptive effect against opponents who might otherwise intervene; and if partner can make a positive response, you will be well on the way to a slam.

There’s nothing wrong with opening 1 ♥ here (and most South’s in a duplicate did), but sound Acol judgment says that more often than not, you will benefit from telling partner you are strong straight away.

We’ll see both hands tomorrow.