Andrew:

Openers-Six-Card-Repeat-Line

Repeating a suit strongly suggests six cards. Indeed if you (i) do not play reverses as showing extra values and (ii) always open or rebid notrumps with a 5332 shape (yes - even with a five-card major - the modern style and much recommended by your columnist), then repeating a suit GUARANTEES six cards.

When you are repeating your suit (with six+ cards), you should follow the...

Opener's Six Card Repeat Line

12*--------------15	16---------------19	20-------------
Open One. repeat at the lowest level	Open One. Repeat with a jump	Open Two.

*Or slightly less if passes the rule-of-twenty

In the Top Ten most Common Mistakes of all, I would put failing to jump a level with a six-card suit and 16+ points.

Exercise: You open 1♥ and partner responds 1♠ . What now with?

Hand a)	Hand b)	Hand c)
♠ 3 ♥ A J 8 6 4 3 ♦ K Q 3 ♣ J 4 2	♠ K 2 ♥ A Q J 8 6 2 ♦ J 2 ♣ A 8 3	♠ 6 ♥ A Q J 10 6 2 ♦ A 10 2 ♣ K Q 4

(a) 2♥. You only just opened - using the Rule of 20.
(b) 2♥. Chunkier, but just a minimum level rebid (up to 15 points).
(c) 3♥. 16+ points and six (+) Hearts.

South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	9 6 5 2
♥	Q 7
♦	K 8 6 5
♣	K 5 3

♠	K Q 10 8 3
♥	10 8 6 4
♦	10 3
♣	10 7

N
W		E
S

♠	A J
♥	9
♦	Q J 7 4 2
♣	Q J 9 4 2

♠	7 4
♥	A K J 5 3 2
♦	A 9
♣	A 8 6

What happened

West	North	East	South
			1 ♥
Pass	1 ♠1	Pass2	2 ♥3
Pass	Pass	Pass

Correct showing four+ spades (of any quality) and six+ points
Anyone for a take-out double showing the two unbid suits?
Mistake. Theoretically shows no more than 15 points.

Defending 2 ♥, West led ♠ K. East overtook with ♠ A (good) and returned ♠ J. Overtaking with ♠ Q, West continued with a low spade and East trumped with ♥ 9. Overruffing with ♥ J, declarer now had to loseand also lost a club (students of the end game will note that East can be squeezed in the minors). Nine tricks made.

"Lucky we didn't bid game, partner", said South.

North, a good player, said nothing.

What should have happened

West	North	East	South
			1 ♥
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	3 ♥1
Pass	4 ♥2	Pass	Pass
Pass

Correct 16+ points and six cards.
A heart fit and at worst one point short of the 25 needed for game, with HQ worth more than two points

In 4♥, declarer had ten winners, six trumps and two ace-kings. He must not endanger those winners. The key-play is to discard a club at Trick Three, rather than overruffing. He can now win any return and score his ten tricks. Game made a pretty Loser-on-Loser play.

If you remember just one thing...

Opener's Six-Card-Repeat-Line.

This article is deal number 52 from my book What Should Have Happened.

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Andrew:

Openers-Six-Card-Repeat-Line