Opening the Bidding
The decision tree: pass or bid?
Starting the Conversation
You've learned how to evaluate your hand — counting high card points, adding distributional points, and recognizing balanced versus unbalanced shapes. Now it's time to put that knowledge to work. The opening bid is your first message to partner, and it sets the entire auction in motion.
Think of the auction as a conversation. The opening bid is the first sentence. Like any good conversation, that first sentence needs to be clear, informative, and follow agreed-upon rules so your partner can understand exactly what you're saying.
The Big Question: Do You Have Enough to Open?
The first decision is simple: pass or bid?
In Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC) — the bidding system we'll use throughout this course — the general rule is:
- 13+ total points (HCP + length points): You have an opening bid
- Fewer than 13 points: Usually pass, but there are exceptions for preemptive bids
Some experienced players open with as few as 11-12 points in favorable positions, but for now, 13 points is your threshold.
The Decision Tree
Once you've decided to open, you need to choose which bid to make. Here's the roadmap:
| Your Hand | Opening Bid |
|---|---|
| 22+ HCP (or 9+ playing tricks) | 2♣ (strong, artificial, forcing) |
| 15-17 HCP, balanced | 1NT |
| 13-21 points, 5+ card major | 1♥ or 1♠ |
| 13-21 points, no 5-card major | 1♣ or 1♦ |
| 6-10 HCP, good 6-card suit | Weak two-bid (2♦, 2♥, or 2♠) |
| Weak hand, 7+ card suit | Preempt (3-level or higher) |
Notice that stronger hands get checked first. You always ask: "Is this hand too strong for a 1-level opening?" before settling on your bid.
The SAYC System
SAYC is the most widely played bidding system in North America and the default system on most online bridge platforms. Its key features include:
- 5-card majors: You need at least five cards in hearts or spades to open 1♥ or 1♠
- Strong 1NT: 15-17 HCP, balanced
- Strong 2♣: The only forcing opening bid
- Weak two-bids: 2♦, 2♥, and 2♠ show weak hands with a good 6-card suit
Every bid in the system conveys a specific message about your hand's strength and shape. As we work through this level, you'll learn each opening bid type and when to use it.
What's Ahead
In the lessons that follow, we'll cover:
- Opening one of a suit — the most common opening, covering a wide range of hands
- Opening 1NT — the most descriptive single bid in bridge
- Opening 2♣ — for those rare monster hands
- Weak two-bids — using weakness as a weapon
- Preemptive openings — maximum disruption with long suits
- Putting it all together — practicing the complete decision tree
By the end of this level, you'll be able to pick up any hand and know exactly what to open — or whether to pass. Let's begin.