Procedure to Consider a Bid in NoTrump

1. With balanced hand:
   • 4-3-3-3 distribution
   • 4-4-3-2 distribution
   • 5-3-3-2 distribution (5-card Minor Suit)
2. Determine High Card Point Count
3. With above distribution, Use NoTrump Table to determine bid.
4. Otherwise consider Bid in a Suit.
   • Because hand contains a 5+ card Major suit.
   • Because some NoTrump sequences start with 1 of a Minor Suit.
   • Because hand contains a distribution unsuitable for a NoTrump bid.

Procedure to Consider a Bid in a Suit

1. Determine Total Point Count
2. With 22+ points, consider opening with Forcing 2 Club Bid
   • With very strong hands, you need to forcing partner (responder) to bid.
3. Is Point Count enough "To Open Bidding with a Suit".
4. If yes and holding a 5+ card Major Suit:  open 1 Heart or 1 Spade
5. If yes and no 5+ card Major Suit:  open 1 Club or 1 Diamond
   • Note:  this may mean you open a 3-card Minor suit.
6. Otherwise consider Other Bids shown below.
   • Because hand contains a long suit (6 or 7+ cards).

Procedure to Consider Preemptive Bids

1. Determine High Card Point Count
2. Open with 2 level bid (Weak 2 Bid)
   • With:   6 card suit in Spades, Hearts or Diamonds
   • With:   6 to 11 HCPs
3. Open with 3 level bid (Preemptive Bid)
   • With:   7(and some 8) card suit
   • With:   5 to 9 HCPs
4. Open with 4 level bid (Preemptive Bid)
   • With:   8+ card suit
   • With:   5 to 9 HCPs
5. Otherwise Pass.