We open sound bids (12 minimum for 1 level suits), 3/4 seat open light (no lower than 9-10). Minors must be 3 or longer and majors must be 5 or longer. We will open 1NT with 5 of a major when the hand is balanced and the major is not significantly strong (e.g. with A5, would open 1NT if balanced and pts are in range). In odd shapes, would open the better major. If no major, then the better minor. If 6 is present in hand, would open 1D if 12-21 pts and 2D if 5-11 pts. Preference for downgrading hands unless high chance of making game or better. In terms of preempts, points are 5-11 and 4 of the suit + whatever level the bid is at (e.g. 3h = 7 hearts and 5-11 pts). Preempt suit is the longest in the hand. When partner has passed, they do not have enough points to open.
Unless there is really good suit support for partner's suit, will not respond to partner's opener with very weak hands. 2/1 forces to game except for in competition, and in 3 or 4 seat openings. Doubles are typically penalty if partner has bid. Lead-directing doubles used when a suit is of opening-level strength and opponents are bidding artificially at game-level or above. |