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What do you open the bidding when you only hold '4 Cards' in the Major Suits

You open the 'short club' or the 'short diamond' The 'Short Club' in Bridge is also called the 'preferred minor' bid is used when you have opening hand points but you have no ability of making this suit into the trump suit. It is a waiting bid and tells partner you have opening points and only if you rebid the suit it a second time is it a real suit. This lessons builds on the opening bid skills you learned ourBeginners Bridge Lessons.
In the SAYC (Standard American) bidding system if you do not have a five-card major suit and you have 13-14 HCP, there are no opening bids available for you. There is a bid which promises at least a 3 card suit, its called a"short" club opening bid ( and is referred to as a "preferred Minor suit opening" and you should only use this when you are in a position to start or 'open' the bidding.

Requirements

You must have at least 3 club or diamond cards. If your minor suits are equal length, always bid the club suit - if clubs are shorter however then open the diamond suit. Partner will need to be aware that your Club or Diamond suit opening bid could be but may not be a "short suit".

Preferred Minor Opening Bid

Opening 1♣ shows 13-21 points and 3+ clubs and possibly a 4 card Major suit. Opening 1♦ shows 13-22 points and 3+ diamonds (the club suit will be shorter than your diamonds) and hints at a 4 card Major suit.

    Bid 1♣

  • If you have 13- 21 HCP
  • 4 or less cards in both your major suits
  • at least 3 club cards (with no upper limit on length)
  • your club suit is longer than your diamond suit

    Bid 1♦

  • If you have 13- 21 HCP
  • 4 or less cards in both your major suits
  • at least 3 diamond cards (with no upper limit on length)
  • your diamond suit is longer than your club suit



Instant Progress Quiz - Check all the correct answers



 

  1C

  1D
 


 

  1C

  1D
 


Exercise: This is your hand and it is your turn to bid

What will you bid?

  • ♠ K 9 7
  • ♥ A K J 2
  • ♦ K 8 7
  • ♣ 9 7 5
Answer: This hand is 1 heart card short to open 1♥ and 1 point less than needed to open 1NT. Your bid is 1♣. If you had 4-4-3-2 shape and the same HCP open your Diamond suit. Partner knows the club suit is 3+ cards

Practice This Lesson

Use a Preferred Minor Suit Opening Bid

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Extra for Experts

A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.

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