Minor Suit Opening Quiz Answers

A
N S N S N
1§ 1© 1NT P - -
12 - 14 3-3-3-4 6 - 10 3-4-4-2
N points N distribution S points S distribution

A simple auction with 4 Hearts in the South, but not in the North. With 4 Diamonds, North would have opened them. With four Hearts or Spades, North would have bid them. South has no second suit, and it's probably better to play one NT than 2§ or 2¨ anyhow.

B.

N S N S N
1§ 1© 1ª 1NT P -

_12 - 14_          4-3-3-3_                 6 - 10 _    _3-4-4-2
N points         N distribution          S points     S distribution

Basically the same hands as A., but North has four Spades this time.

Either may take the push to the other's suit if the opponents force them to the two level. Why bother, if the opponents will let you play 1NT ?

C.

N S N S N
1¨ 1ª 2§ 2¨ P -

_12 -14_         _ 2-2-5-4_              __ 6 - 8              4-3-4-2____
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

Two minors for North, with South taking a simple preference to Diamonds. North must avoid reversing with less than 17.

D.

N S N S N
1¨ 1ª 2§ 2ª P -

12 -14         3-1-4-5                   10                5-3-2-3
N points     N distribution     S points      S distribution

South has 5 Spades and rebids them. North is happy to leave him/her there with 3 Spades and a stiff Heart.

E.

N S N S
1§ 1ª 2¨ 2ª 4ª P

16 - 18         3-1-4-5                     8 - 11         5-2-3-3  
N points        N distribution      S points         S distribution

Similar hands, but a reverse by North shows a much better hand. When North raises South’s rebid of Spades, he is glad to bid game. North's hand re-evaluates a lot higher with the second Spade bid by South, and could then almost bid game by itself.

F.

N S N S N
1§ 1ª 2§ 2NT P

12 - 14         3-3-2-5                  10 -11         4-3-4-2
N points         N distribution      S points     S distribution

North is minimum. South has a good hand, so tries a second bid. Notrump is the best contract, if you are going to make your bid. South shows stoppers in Hearts and probably Diamonds as well.

G.

N S N S N
1¨ 2¨* 2© 2ª 2NT 3NT

13 - 14         2-4-4-3             11 - 13          3-2-5-3
N points     N distribution     S points      S distribution

South shows some stuff with an Alertable 2¨ call, but denies any 4+ card majors. North starts showing stoppers up the line with the Two Heart bid, south does the same with Two Spades, and North invites.

H.

N S N S N S 
1§ 1© 1ª 2ª 4ª -

17 - 19              4-3-1-5                      6+                    4-4-3-2
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

Finally, on the third suit, N/S find a fit, illustrating why we bid four card majors up the line regardless of strength. North didn't open NT, so he probably has a singleton somewhere, which enables a big re-evaluation when a suit fit is found.

I.

N S N S N S 
1¨ 1© 1NT 2§ 2© P

12-14                 3-3-5-2                10+                          2-5-1-5
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

With South showing a two suited hand, North prefers to Hearts and South accepts the contract. South might have only 4 Hearts, but at least a seven card fit is assured, an OK spot for a two level contract.

J.

N S N S N S 
1§ 1ª 2¨ 3¨ 3NT P

__17+ __           2-2-5-4                 10+                4-3-3-3_
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

North reverses, showing a strong hand with both minors. When South supports one of them on the second bid, North can go for the NT game.

K.

N S N S
1¨ 3¨* P -

   _12-14             3-4-3-3 ?                 0 - 6                 3-3-5-2
N points             N distribution         S points          S distribution

South preempts with a double jump in a minor, showing a worthless hand except at Diamonds. South is unlikely to have a 4 card major, and has few points, probably none outside the Diamond suit.

L.

N S N S N S 
1§ 3§* 3NT P - -


__18-19               4-3-3-3                   0 - 6              3-3-2-5__
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

Despite the preemptive 3§ by South, North tries the 3NT game. This means a very strong hand, as South specifically denies any value except a lot of Clubs. Perhaps that's all North needs - a suit to run - with AKx in Clubs.

M.

N S N S N
1§ 2§* 2NT 3NT P


_12 - 14_         __3-3-3-4_        __11-12__     ___3-3-2-5_____
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

South gives a positive bid, but denies any majors. North shows stoppers with a modest hand, and South decides to give it a try.

N.

N S N S N
2¨* 2NT* 3¨* 4© P

11 - 15           4-4-4-1                  11 - 15         4-4-3-2 ?
N points         N distribution          S points          S distribution

A Mini-Roman opening, showing 11 to 15 points and a stiff or void. South asks about the stiff and, finding it in Clubs, bids the Heart game, confident of four in opener's hand.

(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved