Bidding your longest suit first

Opener must try to convey shape and strength in as few bids as possible.

Most unbalanced hands can be shown in 3 bids by opener.

The best start is to bid your longest suit first, even if it is lower in rank than a second suit.

Bidding a second suit twice must show at least 5 cards, indicating at least a similar length first suit.

If the first suit is lower in rank, then repeating a second suit twice, must show a 6-5 shape.

What happens when opener has not got sufficient strength to bid a second suit of higher rank.

Normally this bidding is viewed as a reverse and requires extra strength above a normal opening, say 16 points.

This weeks hand is a good case in point, 11 HCP's and 6-5 in the majors.

The hand is certainly good enough to open, but which suit ?

Proponents of not over bidding and opening 1S, ended up in a failing game in spades.

Proponents of opening their longest suit 1H found the best and safest contract of 4H.

What is the best way forward in such dilemmas for the average bridge player.

My suggestion is that 6-5 shapes are a lot stronger than the points the hand contains.

If there is any modicum of a fit in either suit, then the number of losers is significantly reduced.

Without any fit, East has a 6 loser hand, good enough to open.

With a fit in both majors Easts losers reduce to 3.

Unlucky for Those Easts who opened 1S, partner did not have a preference when they showed a second suit of hearts.

Unlucky too for those in the South seat who started the defense by leading the AD.

Bridge has this wonderful way of stretching our tolerance for set rules, conventions and agreements.

Do you tell little lies?