3rd Seat Weak “allowable” openings
"BLUE BOOK 2024:
7 PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS: LEVEL 4
7 A 3 Strength of Opening One-level Bids
A one-level opening bid in a suit, whether forcing or not,
must by agreement show 8+ HCP and, in first and second position, follow the Rule of 18"
And
"3D Matters of style
3D1 If a partnership has understandings such as opening lighter in third and/or fourth position, . . . . . . should be disclosed on the system card."
I am looking for a reference to the minimum allowable opening in 3rd seat. I understand it’s a couple of points lighter than in 1st or 2nd, where, below which it may be considered a psyche. (Maybe Rule of 15/16?)
Can someone point me to the a reference as such.
Many thanks
7 PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS: LEVEL 4
7 A 3 Strength of Opening One-level Bids
A one-level opening bid in a suit, whether forcing or not,
must by agreement show 8+ HCP and, in first and second position, follow the Rule of 18"
And
"3D Matters of style
3D1 If a partnership has understandings such as opening lighter in third and/or fourth position, . . . . . . should be disclosed on the system card."
I am looking for a reference to the minimum allowable opening in 3rd seat. I understand it’s a couple of points lighter than in 1st or 2nd, where, below which it may be considered a psyche. (Maybe Rule of 15/16?)
Can someone point me to the a reference as such.
Many thanks
Comments
You have provided the reference: they must by agreement show 8+hcp but do not have to follow the Rule of 18.
It is not correct to say that below this it may be considered a psyche: a psyche is a deliberate and gross misstatement of honour strength and/or of suit length. If the partnership has agreed to open 8 hcp hands, a 7 hcp hand is not a gross misstatement of strength, and would be ruled to be an illegal agreement rather than a psych.
Kind regards Steve 👍