Rule Of 20
The Rule of 20 considers both high card points and distribution.
It's only supposed to be used for first and second seat openings. In third seat then players often open light anyway so there's no need for a special rule. In fourth seat there's no need to open light to disrupt opponents. They've both passed!
How It Works
- Count your high card points.
- Add the length of your two longest suits.
- Open if the total comes to 20.
An Opening Hand Using The Rule Of 20
South's points are the ♠A (4), ♠K (3) and ♥K (3). That's 10 high card points. The two longest suits are spades (5) and hearts (5). That's 10 length points. 10 high card points + 10 length points = 20. 20 total points is enough to open.
Rule Of 22
Not all points are equal! The rule of 22 takes into consideration 'quick tricks' as follows:
To use the rule of 22, start with the rule of 20, add your quick tricks and check if the total comes to 22.
- AK in a suit = 2 Quick Tricks
- AQ in a suit = 1.5 Quick Tricks
- A or KQ in a suit = 1 Quick Trick
- K in a suit = 0.5 Quick Tricks ( not singleton K )
An Opening Hand Using The Rule Of 20
South's points are the ♠A (4), ♠K (3) and ♥K (3). That's 10 high card points. The two longest suits are spades (5) and hearts (5). That's 10 points length. The ♠A and ♠K is 2 quick tricks. The ♥K is .5 quick tricks. That's 2.5 quick tricks. 22.5 is enough to open.
Singleton Kings Are No Good
South has 10 high card points. South has 10 length points. The ♠A and ♠Q is 1.5 quick tricks. The ♥K is 0! Singleton Kings don't count. That's 1.5 quick total. 21.5 total points is not enough when using the rule of 22.
Honours In Short Suits
Honours in short suits don't pull their weight. They don't help us set up tricks in our long suit and, especially in the case of singletons, they often don't win tricks at all.
Weak Suit
The diamond honours aren't well placed. They're not helping to establish your long suits. If you open 1♠ and partner responds 2♥ what will you bid? Maybe it's still worth opning this hand but things could go wrong.
I favor light opening bids, when you're my age you're never sure they're going to get back to you in time.