South deals. She is looking at a 5-3-3-2 distribution. With a notrump shape and 15 TP (14 HCP plus 1 LP) she could open 1NT, but with all her points in just two suits, she elects to open 1♥ instead. Bridge rules are rarely hard and fast. They tend to work about 85% of the time. It’s that other 15% that make bridge so challenging and so much fun. Tend to think of the rules as guidelines. Knowing when to bend the rules is one of the things that sets expert players apart.

North has 10 HCP. On learning that her side has at least a nine- card heart fit and will be playing in hearts, she adds one point for the doubleton diamond (since she has four trumps), bringing the total to 11 points. With four-card trump support and 11 points, North jumps to 3♥. Now South, has a decision to make. With 14 HCP and 1 LP (15 TP) she adds this to partners’ announced 10, 11 or 12 points. The partner- ship will meet that 26-point threshold two out of three times. As the song goes, ‘Two out of three ain’t bad.’ South takes the push and tries for game.

THE BIDDING