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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
- ♠ A K 7 6
- ♥ Q J 9
- ♦ 8 5 2
- ♣ 9 4
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
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.
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Practise conventions free
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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
Members only
Practise conventions free
30 days free — no card required
Extra for Experts
A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.
PLAY