Artic Left button bar and right panel

OPENING IN FOURTH SEAT

You have a 10/11 point hand. There have been 3 passes, and now it is up to you. Should you also pass?

Well let us first consider what the 3 passes have shown.

First and second seat has under 12 points. That much is obvious.

How about the hand in third seat? Here one normally strains to find some sort of bid, however weak. The pass makes the third seat appear to be extremely weak. That is logical.

Therefore it must be right to open. It is odds on your partner also having 10/11 points, so you and your partner can look safely for a part score holding the balance of points.

However there is a danger to be aware of. The side holding spades can outbid the other side, so use………….

Rule of 15

In 3^rd or 4^th seat, this rule applies.

Add high card points. To this add number of cards in spades. If this is comes to 15 or more it is safe to open, minimising the risk that you will be outbid in spades.