Rule of 11 12 13

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 This is a method of evaluation of the 13 cards to decide whether to open the hand, compete with the hand or pass.

   This method was developed by Mr. Richard A. Miller, the author of the book Point Count Bidding, published in 1946, containing an evaluation method based on points: A = 4, K = 3, Q = 2, J = 1.

   Count the long suits, the winning tricks, and assign one point for the fifth card and one point for the sixth card of the long suit, usually the opening suit. Add this to the HP, it is suggested to open with:

11   points and  a 6 cards suit
12   points and  a 5 cards suit
13   points and  a 4 cards suit

More flat is the hand the points requirements increase. In fact the opening is always donde with 13 points … as you add 1 point for the fifth card and one point for the sixth card. The format or the distribution of the cards play an important role in the evaluation of the hand and the article published suggests that you can open with 10HP when you have 2 5 cards suits and when 8 of the  HP are in the long suits. In the evaluation of the combined force, the partner of the opener always assumes that he opened with 13 HP of which no more than 3 PH are credited to the distribution.