Report this Page
522

The Rule of Twenty

The Rule of Twenty is a decision-making tool to determine if your hand is strong enough to open the bidding. The rule states:Add the total number of high card points (HCP) in your hand to the number of cards in your two longest suits. If the total is 20 or more, you can consider opening the bidding.

A Step-by-Step Explanation


Step 1: Count Your High Card Points (HCP)
Each high card (Ace, King, Queen, and Jack) is worth:
  • Ace = 4 points
  • King = 3 points
  • Queen = 2 points
  • Jack = 1 point
Example hand:
  • ♠ A K 7 6
  • ♥ Q J 9
  • ♦ 8 5 2
  • ♣ 9 4
Step 1: HCP calculation:

Ace of Spades = 4 points
King of Spades = 3 points
Queen of Hearts = 2 points
Jack of Hearts = 1 point
Total HCP = 10

Step 2: Identify your two longest suits:

  • Spades: 4 cards
  • Hearts: 3 cards
  • Diamonds: 3 cards
  • Clubs: 2 cards
The two longest suits are Spades (4) and Hearts (3).

Step 3: Add the numbers
Add your HCP (10) to the total number of cards in your two longest suits (4 + 3 = 7).
br> 10 (HCP) + 7 (length of two longest suits) = 17.

Step 4: Apply the rule
Since the total is less than 20, this hand is not strong enough to open the bidding.

Opener Bids Opponent Overcalls You Bid Opponent Bids
1C 1S 'X' negative double Pass

The opening bid may be in any position even a passed hand but it must be one of a suit (not a notrump bid). The opposition bid must be in a natural right up to the level of 4.


Point Range for making a Negative Double

The minimum points is usually 7 or more. Many partnerships agree that with 10+ points you would be free to make other bids so usually the maximum partners agree on is 10 points or can depend on your partnership agreement






Your right-hand opponent opens 1♣. What is your bid?


Your Hand

  • ♠ K Q J 10
  • ♥ K J 6
  • ♦ Q 8 3 2
  • ♣ J 7
13+ TP, support for all unbid suits. Double "X" and then you will pass whatever your partner bids. Remember partner may have as few as 0 points as they are forced to bid in the absence of any intervening bid

Practice This Lesson

Bid a Negative Double and Partner Bids a Reopening Double

PLAY

Extra for Experts

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

PLAY