[Ramkay52]

I find some resources say you should have 12-20 points to open a bid. There are others which say the requirement is between 13 and 21. Which one shoud a beginner follow?

[DavidKok]

I think it's a fine idea to start with opening all 12-counts. You can look for more sophisticated methods at a future point.

As for the upper limit, I still like 21. But it won't matter too much, you do not commonly get such strong hands.

[mw64ahw]

Ramkay52, on 2024-November-08, 06:50, said:

I find some resources say you should have 12-20 points to open a bid. There are others which say the requirement is between 13 and 21. Which one shoud a beginner follow?

Are you talking total points or hcp. Opening 14 total points or13 total points & 2 quick tricks was what I originally learnt or most 12+hcp (c.f. weak NT). Upper limit wise I stop at 21hcp
Beginners are also often taught the Rules of 20/22 so you may lower to 10hcp.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

both ranges are fine, DavidKok gives you a 3rd one, 12-21.

#1 The 13HCP for an opening bid would indicate an older source book, peoble like to enter the bidding more often.
Another point would be, that if you count 13 points in a hand, it is possible, that I come to adifferent number,
besides the common 1-2-3-4 count (as Newbi stick with it), there are other sources of points, that peoble
like to count, i.e. due to this certain ranges get inflated.

#2 Opening with a strong bid of 2C is quite often awkward, due to this try to open at the one level.
If you follow this advice, this will raise the uper limit.
For simplicity you could stick with the range, you use for your 2NT opening bid.
Lots of peoble play, that 2NT showes 20-21.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

There are some 22s I wouldn't dream of opening anything other than 1 of a suit AKJx, AJxx, K, AQxx for example. There are also some 9s and 10s I wouldn't dream of not opening 1 of a suit Axxxx, x, x, KQ10xxx for example.