[jillybean]

I've always followed the pack in writing 2♣ "22+ or 8 playing tricks" on my CC but can't remember opening an 8 trick hand that wasn't also strong 18+ hcp.

Today I opened 2♣ with 13hcp 8 playing tricks in clubs, only to be told that rule only applied to Majors. Who knew

[johnu]

The rule for Very Strong in the ACBL convention charts is:

“Very Strong”: A hand that contains:
i. at least 20 HCP; or
ii. at least 14 HCP and is within one trick of game assuming suits break evenly among the other hands; or
iii. at least 5 Control Points and is within one trick of game assuming suits break evenly among the other hands.

Only 13 HCP? Did you have AAKQ or AKKK for your HCP?

With a major suit, a trick within game is 9 tricks.

Under the Example section

“Strong” / “Very Strong”: The hand AKQJxxx Axx xx x does not meet the definition of
Strong or Very Strong. It is two tricks away from game in spades, and to be considered
within one trick of making 3NT all suits must be stopped.

[jillybean]

I'm not too concerned about what the ACBL says, I was wondering if there was any justification for the "8 playing tricks must be in a major" "rule".
(note rule is used in the same context as "you shall not open 1nt with 2 doubletons")

Perhaps this comment came from a player with gambling 3nt on their card.

this was the hand

5,void,A742,AKQ98632

[mycroft]

Most "mean" "one trick from game" when they say 8.5 playing tricks.

8.5 playing tricks isn't "one trick from 5m" the way it is "one trick from 4M".

That's why minors "need" more.

All of the air-quotes are in there for obvious (to me, upgrading into 2♣, especially without defence, is a 'works against novices' plan that should be treated as highly as "4NT means 'we might have slam'" and "4♣ always Aces is better because we can stop in 4M") reasons.

[johnu]

jillybean, on 2026-May-08, 18:58, said:

I'm not too concerned about what the ACBL says, I was wondering if there was any justification for the "8 playing tricks must be in a major" "rule".
(note rule is used in the same context as "you shall not open 1nt with 2 doubletons")

Perhaps this comment came from a player with gambling 3nt on their card.

this was the hand

5,void,A742,AKQ98632

If not the ACBL (or other organizing authority), then why does it matter? If there are no official regulations for the game, anything goes.

As for the gambling 3NT hand, it qualifies as a very strong hand under the ACBL convention chart.

[jillybean]

It is more of a question about style. Sure, bidding is somewhat shaped by the regulations but we know that many pairs stray from these.
If you aren't hampered by governing body restrictions, what do you do with this hand?

If a gambling 3nt hand qualifies as a very strong hand, this hand must also qualify.

[DavidKok]

1♣.

[TMorris]

1♣. It is never going to be passed out, especially when you are 1 0 in the majors amongst other reasons.