Opener’s Common Bidding Mistakes

The opening bidder sets the tone for the entire auction. Get it wrong, and you’re steering your side toward the wrong contract—or missing a good one entirely. These mistakes happen at every level of play, but once you recognize them, they’re surprisingly easy to fix.

Opening When You Shouldn’t

The Problem: Opening light has become fashionable in third seat, but some players take it too far in first and second seat.

Example Hand:

♠ K J 6 4
♥ Q 10 7 3
♦ A 8 5
♣ 9 2

You have 10 HCP and a doubleton. Some players open 1♥ “because partner might have a good hand.” This is wrong in first or second seat. When you open light and catch partner with values, you’ve described 12-14 HCP, not 10. Partner will push for game when you’re not close, and you’ll go down in contracts that should never be bid.

What to Do Instead: Pass hands under 12 points in first and second seat unless you have a sixth card or a strong five-card suit with two quick tricks. In third seat, you can shade to 10-11 with a good suit to direct a lead.

The 1NT Rebid Disaster

The Problem: Rebidding 1NT with the wrong shape or point range.

Example Hand 1:

♠ A Q 8 7 5
♥ K 3
♦ J 6
♣ K 10 7 4

You open 1♠, partner responds 2♣. Many players automatically rebid 2NT to show 15-17 HCP. But you only have 13 points! Now partner, holding 11 points, will drive to 3NT, expecting you to have 15-17. You’ll arrive in a failing game.

What to Do Instead: Rebid 2♠. Yes, it’s only a five-card suit, but it shows 12-14 points accurately. Partner can bid again with extras.

Example Hand 2:

♠ K J 10 8 6
♥ 4
♦ A Q 5
♣ K Q 7 3

You open 1♠, partner responds 1NT. You rebid 2♣, and partner returns to 2♠. Some players now bid 3♠ or even 2NT. Wrong! You’ve already shown your shape (at least 5-4 in the blacks). Bidding again overstates your strength.

What to Do Instead: Pass 2♠. You showed your hand—a minimum opening with spades and clubs. Partner chose spades. You’re done.

Rebidding the Wrong Suit

The Problem: Opening your longer suit instead of your better suit, then getting stuck.

Example Hand:

♠ K 3
♥ A Q 10 8 6
♦ K J 9 7 5 2
♣ —

You correctly open 1♥ (with 5-5 or 5-6, bid the higher-ranking suit first). Partner responds 1♠. Now what? If you rebid 2♦, showing 5-5, partner will place you with at least opening strength opposite their spade bid. But if you rebid 3♦ (showing 6+), you’ve overstated your diamonds.

Actually, this hand should reverse to 2♦! You have 12 HCP plus great distribution—16 total points with shortness and two good suits.

What to Do Instead: Learn reverse sequences. With 5-6 and minimum strength, open the six-card suit. With extra strength (16+), open the five-card suit and reverse.

The Reverse That Isn’t

The Problem: Thinking you’re reversing when you’re not.

Example Hand:

♠ A K 10 7 3
♥ 5
♦ A Q 8 6 4
♣ 6 2

You open 1♠, partner responds 2♣. You bid 2♦. Is this a reverse? No! A reverse shows your second suit at the three-level if partner gives simple preference. Here, if partner bids 2♠, you’re only at the two-level. This shows a minimum hand with 5-5 or better in the majors.

What to Do Instead: Understand that a reverse forces partner to the three-level for preference. The sequence 1♠-2♣-2♦ is not a reverse; 1♥-1♠-2♦ is not a reverse; but 1♦-1♠-2♥ IS a reverse (partner must bid 3♦ to return to your first suit).

Opening 1NT With the Wrong Shape

The Problem: Opening 1NT with a singleton or six-card major.

Example Hand 1:

♠ K Q 10 8 6 5
♥ A 3
♦ K J 7
♣ Q 4

You have 14 HCP and balanced shape. But opening 1NT with a six-card major is asking for trouble. Partner will use Stayman and transfers assuming you have at most a five-card major. You’ll miss spade fits and end up in weird spots.

What to Do Instead: Open 1♠. Rebid 2♠ over 1NT or 2♠ over a two-level response, showing six spades and minimum strength.

Example Hand 2:

♠ A K J 3
♥ 5
♦ K Q 10 8
♣ A 9 7 4

Some players open this 1NT because “it’s 16 points and balanced.” No! The singleton heart means you’re not balanced. Open 1♦ and plan to rebid spades, showing 5-4-1-3 or 4-5-1-3 shape.

What to Do Instead: Save 1NT for balanced hands: 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 only (and the five-card suit should be a minor).

Misjudging Hand Strength After Partner Responds

The Problem: Not reevaluating your hand when partner shows strength.

Example Hand:

♠ A Q 10 7 3
♥ 6
♦ K Q 8 5
♣ K 7 4

You open 1♠, partner responds 2♠ (showing 10-12 support points with 3+ spades). You have 14 HCP, so you pass. Wrong!

Reevaluate: You now have a known 8+ card fit. Your singleton heart is golden (3 points for shortness in a side suit). Your ♠AQ10 means you’ll likely lose no trump tricks. You’re worth 17 points opposite a known fit.

What to Do Instead: Make a game try (3♣ or 3♦ help suit, or 3♠ asking about general strength). Partner with a maximum and fitting cards will accept and you’ll make 4♠.

Forgetting Your System

The Problem: Not remembering what your bids mean.

Example Hand:

♠ 7
♥ K Q J 10 8 6
♦ A 5
♣ A 9 7 3

You open 1♥, partner responds 1♠. What’s your rebid?

If you play standard, you rebid 2♣ (your second suit). If you play 2/1, you rebid 3♣ (jump shift showing a strong hand). But many players forget their system and rebid 2♥, which just shows a minimum hand with six hearts. Now when partner passes, you’ve missed game.

What to Do Instead: Write down your system agreements. Before every session, review: Do you play 2/1? Walsh? Bergen raises? Whatever your methods, know them cold.

The Dreaded 4-3-3-3 Rebid Problem

The Problem: Not knowing what to do with balanced minimum hands.

Example Hand:

♠ A 8 7 3
♥ K 6
♦ Q 10 5
♣ K J 7 4

You open 1♣, partner responds 1♥. You have 12 HCP and balanced shape. Do you bid 1♠? 1NT? 2♣?

Many players bid 1♠, treating this as “free.” But now if partner rebids 2♣ or 2♦, you’re stuck. You can’t bid 2NT (shows 18-19), and you can’t pass a potentially three-card suit.

What to Do Instead: Rebid 1NT immediately (showing 12-14 balanced). Yes, you “concealed” your spade suit, but partner can use new minor forcing or checkback to find a 4-4 spade fit if they have four.

Bottom Line

Opening bidder mistakes come in three flavors:

Starting wrong (opening light, opening 1NT with wrong shape)
Rebidding wrong (1NT with wrong points, reversing by accident, forgetting to reverse when you should)
Reevaluating wrong (not adding points for fits, not downgrading flat minimums)

The fix is simple: Slow down. Count your points again after partner bids. Ask yourself: “What does my rebid promise?” Make sure your hand matches the promise. Bridge is a language—speak accurately, and you’ll reach the right contracts.