Bridge Tips MEL'S HAND EVALUATION AND THE ... - BridgeWebs

DIRECT SEAT INTRUSION AFTER A 1NT OPENER
How do you know when it is right to intrude?
Mel’s Rule of 8: If the number of cards in your two longest suits minus your losing
trick count equals 2 or more…….and you have at least 6 HCP……intrude!
There are at least ten conventions partnerships have developed over the years to allow them to intrude
on auctions that begin 1NT. Duplicate players should learn at least one of them. Please see the
SCLHDBC Website for an explanation of “DON’T” (Disturbing Opponents’ No Trump) which is
easy to learn and will be discussed next month in Kent’s Bridge Tips.
Mel’s rule is actually his rule of 2 + 6. You must have 6 HCP.
The bidding has started with 1NT by your RHO. Should you intrude? Y N
You hold:
A. J75, AQ8652, Q4, 76 # of cards in two longest suits_____minus LTC =______ Y N
B. AKJ73, Q82, Q7, K65 # of cards in two longest suits_____minus LTC =______ Y N
C. AQJT42, J75, K4, K2 # of cards in two longest suits_____minus LTC=______ Y N
D. 6, AJ8, JT2, KJT8462 # of cards in two longest suits_____minus LTC=______ Y N
E. QJT4, 72, KQ853, T5 # of cards in two longest suits_____minus LTC=______ Y N
(You need a convention for example E.)
BALANCING SEAT INTRUSION AFTER A 1NT OPENER
How do you know when it is right to intrude?
Mel’s Rule of 2: In the pass out seat, bid if you have two or more shortness points, regardless of
HCP and Vulnerability!
After 1NT -pass-pass, do some counting. Give opener 16HCP. Give his partner 4HCP. Count your
HCP. Partner has the rest. So, intrude whenever you have two or more distributional points.
YOU REALLY NEED A CONVENTION TO INTRUDE IN BALANCING SEAT.
A. Q842, A76, 5, J7532 Intrude (But you need a convention.)
B. Q742, A95, 743, J62 pass
C. KJ8543, 6, 853, 763 Intrude
D. 7, K852, Q8754, 762 Intrude (But you need a convention)