Opening in 3rd hand position
Essentially: With a passed partner and a passed RHO it is more than
likely that your LHO is ready to open the bidding! The theory behind
3rd hand openings is to increase the opportunities to put your LHO on
the defensive! That is to deny LHO the ability to make his regular
opening bid and instead to force him to use defensive bids instead.
If your hand qualifies for a regular opening one must still do it.
The text that follows lowers the requirement for the following openings:
a) 1 of a suit
b) 2D with a weak major two
c) 1NT
d) 2-suited openings (or intended rebid after a 2D opening which are normally required to be 4-7LTC may now be shaded to 4-8LTC
1 of a suit
Can
be in any suit save Clubs as these show 5 cards normally. We retain the
requirement for 5 cards but decrease the opening values by 1 or 2 even
3 HCP depending on distribution and intermediate (9s, Ts)!
Minimum requirements for S¦H¦D opening:
- Minimum length remains as 5 cards
- HCP strength may be reduced to (6)7-9(10). At least 5HCP is recommended be held in the suit bid
- If opening 1H then you must hold a minimum
support in Spades - xxx or Hx where H = A¦K¦Q - as you may prefer to
PASS a 1S response if you had opened light with a bid of 1H on 4 cards.
- Special note for a 1 Heart opening with 4 CARDS AND ALSO WITH 4 CARDS IN SPADES a similar reduction can be made!
Minimum requirements for a1 Club opening:
- Normally its 12HCP however with a 4 card major it may be reduced to 10 HCP
- HCP strength may be reduced to 8-11HCP. At least 5HCP should be held in the suit bid
- A minimum support is required in both majors. Major holdings to be either xxx or Hx where H = A¦K¦Q
If partner responds with a potentially poorly playing bid - rebid
your suit - which is to be taken as a light opening. Be prepared to
pass other bids if your opening is subnormal.
2D showing a weak 2 in a major
Besides opening with about the same values the main relaxation is to
have a decent 5 card major instead of the usual 6 card requirement. the
majority of your high card points must lie in your 5 card Major.
Partner should not use 2NT or 2S responses opposite a 3rd hand 2D opening!
That leaves him with PASS if RHO bids other than PASS and 2H! (PASS or CORRECT) if RHO passes!
If both opponents are quiet the 3rd hand will PASS a 2H response OR bid 2S.
Clearly a 2NT or 3mi rebids are available as usual with a strong 2D opening.
1 NT
Only a relaxation of 1 point is permitted. therefore the range becomes
11-14. All other normal rules for a 1NT opening still apply.
This relaxation may also apply to a 4th seat opening of 1NT.
2-level responses remain the same. But 3-level bids now show weak 6+ card suits (as 15+ is not possible).
Also 2C is now promissory - no longer non-promissory.
Rebid Rules following a light 3rd hand suit opening
This is simple: PASS. With a rebid of PASS your partner is left in no doubt - your opening was a 3rd hand light opening!
You achieved your objective of throwing the opposition into defensive bidding - now don't overdo it!
Only if your partner's response was particularly attractive an improved your hand do make another bid!
If your LHO passes AND:
If partner responds with 1 Major : PASS
If partner responds at the 2-level: PASS
If partner responds with 1NT: PASS
If partner raises you: PASS
--but if clearly an unfaourable contract rebid your suit.
-- if your opening is genuine make some other bid than a simple rebid.
If your LHO bids and partner bids a suit: PASS
Rebids following a 3rd hand 1NT opening
If partner bids 2C 2D 2H respond as usual
If partner bids 2S - a maximum pass without major respond with longer minor or 2NT
If you are doubled by opponents bid your longer minor
That's it folks!
