Rule of 20 in Bridge

How it works

The Rule of 20 considers both high card points and distribution.

1. Count your high card points.
2. Add the length of your two longest suits.
3. Open if the total comes to 20.

North has ten high card points. The two longest suits are spades (5 cards) and hearts (5 cards). That's 10 points for card length.

10 high card points + 10 length points = 20. Enough to open the bidding!

North raises to 2♠ and you get to be declarer in a low partscore contract. Nice!