* A reminder to all players on the percentages of winning a game in terms of the number of points in your side.

* Statistics and bridge - Hand Evaluation. By Bernard CHARLES and Jerome GIGAULT

The account of DH * points is the classic DH account with some corrections. Please follow 1 major opening raise

The more important one is to upgrade the Ace and downgrade the other honors especially Q or J doubleton.

Consider the classic DH account is very satisfying for all hands that follow because these hands are (semi) balanced with 8th fit.

A first observation: when you have a 5-3 or 4-4 major fit with semi-balanced hands and 24 HCP, it is best to play 3NT rather than 4 in the major. Indeed, even with a doubleton in each side you have only 26 DH and 4 major contract (41%) is worse than 3NT (48%). This is even more true when you have small honors that must be downgraded in a suit contract (DH * points).

12 DH + 11 DH * = 23 DH

to the 2-level,             success rate : 78%

to the 3-level,             success rate : 43%

Only 11 * DH  because you have to downgrade the profusion of small honors when playing a suit contract.

I present you now 9  deals mistreated in all systems based on best minor or related.

You play at the 3-level after a failed attempt to game or you are too high at 4-level or you play two when you have to play the game.

If you could play at the 2-level :            success rate : 89%

Still too high!

If you rebid 3♥ it's optimistic

16 DH + 5 DH = 21 DH  %             Success rate : not rated

and if you rebid 2 ♥ it's an imprecise range : 12-16 DH.

and if you could play 1 ♥ !!

5-10 DH to bid 2 ♠ . A range of 6 possible values.

17 DH + 5 DH = 22 DH,  it might miss a lot if you raise.

So what to do ... If you believe in your gift of clairvoyance ...

You would have passed with the previous hand? Missed, you had to continue!

You'd have continue, missed if the responder has not the ♣King!

if you could play the 3-level             success rate :  43%

or the 1-level!                                        success rate : 96%

The best minor opening : what's the use?

When you have a balanced hand this is not the time to show your longest or best minor. Indeed, this is the major fit that will be first searched. If  a major contract has to be played it's not the  best minor that will help you. Rather, it will help the opponents to find the good lead or to avoid the bad one. In MAJEURE SECURISEE we'll see that in case of major fit opener  will always play from his hand.

If there is no major fit and if the responder has no singleton xNT will be played. Again, there is no interest in opening the best minor, if not to help the opponent side. And if responder has an unbalanced hand with a shortage or (and) slam ambitions, it will be up to him to learn about what you have in  minors.

This is exactly what happens after opening 1NT. Responder seeks a major fit with STAYMAN or TEXAS. He bids minor only if he has a shortage or(and) slam ambitions.

Opening the best minor is like answering a question that probably will not ever be put! (80% of contracts are played in Major or NT).

In the same vein : your partner opens 1 ♠ and you have the following hand : ♠ V9     ♥ RD92     ♦ AD102      ♣ V53.

If opener is 5♠-3-3-2 or 5♠-4m-2-2 it's 3NT to play. Indeed, even if the opener is 5♠-4♦-2-2 you probably will not have the means to play 5♦ . Do not respond 2♦ (the opponent might have already selected the diamond lead with V10xx!). By responding 2♣, you expect to know if your partner has 4 hearts or a balanced hand before worrying to announce your minor forces. But be careful, you have to play the 2♣ SAUVET and openings of 2 MAJOR FANTUNES otherwise you may have some trouble later.

In the MAJEURE SECURISEE , all balanced hands 12-14 or 18-20 HCP are opened 1 ♣, regardless of the number of minor cards. By playing TRANSFER, the opener is often the one who plays the contract. This is the responder that will direct the sequence. The opener often plays the contract, which is already a STATISTICAL advantage, especially with hand of 18-20 HCP. The opponent's play is more difficult, both at the lead and during the course of the game, since opener's hand is hidden having not disclosed his best minor.

Play the MAJEURE SECURISEE , you open systematically 1♣ with balanced hands and 1♦ unbalanced hands.

We open 1♣ all balanced hands 12-14 or 18- 20 ^- HCP (except 5♦-3-3-2, 17 ⁺-19 HCP which is opened 1 ♦ ).

We also open the hands of 11 HCP with two major 4-4 and also the hands of 11 HCP  not vul with 3-3 in major or 4 ♠ (rule of 15 somehow). More hands are opened.

We transfer for the major (even fourth). This saves a level for major fits which is a huge advantage and will solve all the above problems. So we can respond with only 3-4 HCP without compromising the security level. You can play at the 1-level with as much as 19 HCP facing 3-4 HCP! More security.

With weak 5♠-5♥ (maximum 9HCP) we respond 1♦(TRANSFER for hearts) . This response may seem contrary to what is taught in books and yet ...

The opening of 1♦ is unbalanced natural (except 5♦-3-3-2 17 ⁺-19 H ). More precision immediatly.

But, you will say, we do not know the opener's best minor.

If at least this information was useful for the responder.

Now, 80% of contracts end in Major or NT. If you have a balanced hand, it's only the partner who can decide to prospect a minor contract because he has a long minor or a shortage or he thinks of slam.

Why open  one day 1♣ with      ♠ D962      ♥ R96     ♦ ARD     ♣ 652 and another day 1♦ with   ♠ D96     ♥ R96    ♦ 6542    ♣ AR5.

This is more "misleading" than anything else. Besides, I know a player who occasionally ventures to open  the "worst" minor with good results and never bad. I mention it knowingly. !

Let's turn to the side of the defense. Opening 1♣ with 2 cards and 4 or 5 diamonds makes take out double much less efficient, especially from  N° 4. TRANSFER response system makes that the opener will often play.  Still no information on the minors for the opponents.

Opening 1♣ is the most valuable openings for it  leaves more space for developments to follow. We must therefore make it the most common. This is the case in the MAJEURE SECURISEE.

And if it makes opening 1♦ more clearer do not hesitate.