BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

The simple hands in bridge are the most instructive and interesting for debate. here is an excellent example, because it illustrates the difference between the modern culture of mechanical bidding and Acol hand evaluation.

Many will automatically pass this hand because it has only 11 points, of which three are in a singleton king. I won’t crime this decision, but I have a different perspective of the hand.

I would open 1♣ (certainly when non-vul) for several reasons. It is an Acol principle to get into the bidding early whenever possible. you have a very rebiddable suit, which you will use to show your minimum hand after partner’s response.

If partner is strong enough to bid again after 2♣, this is non-forcing, but highly invitational. your three-card support for both majors is likely to be valuable for partner with a major.

The singleton king counts as a distributional value and becomes good support if partner outbids you in diamonds. The hand even qualifies for opening under the modern duplicate yardstick for the bidding (rule 20).

Perhaps the most important reasons for getting into the action early are that you may buy the contract cheaply and if partner does end up defending, you want him to lead a club.

In fact, partner holds ♠AKQx ♥AQx ♦AQx ♣Axx, and bids direct to 7NT. No problem.