Purpose: Guidelines for opening, responding, and play of the hand.
7 = Determines how long a NT declarer should hold up before taking control; i.e., playing a winner. Hold up x times, where x = 7 minus the total number of cards held by dummy and declarer.
11 = Determines the number of higher cards in the remaining 3 hands. When opponents lead 4th best as per opponent’s conventions card, subtract the value of the opening lead card from 11. When opponents lead 3rd or 5th best, subtract the value of the opening lead card from 10 or 12. Prior bidding plus knowledge of the dummy and declarer hands generally determines if opponent has led 3rd or 5th highest.
15 = Determines hand strength to open the bidding in the 4th seat. With high card points plus the number of spade cards >= 15, open the bidding.
17 = Determines responder’s bid after partner opens a weak 2 in a major suit. Responder counts high card points plus the number of cards in partner’s suit. If responder has:
- < 17 points, pass
- 17 to 19 points, bid game
- 20+ points, bid 2NT; i.e., ask for a feature
- With no feature, bid game
- With feature, bid 4NT; i.e., explore slam.
20 = Determines hand strength to open the bidding. With 2 quick tricks, open the bidding if high card points plus the number of cards in the two longest suits >= 20.
