Option 1 is the most common. Options 2 and 3 require the Special Condition (*) where there must be 5+ suit points in the diamond suit:
     • Option 1 - 3+ diamonds: opener bids PASS - Not enough Hand Points to open.

     • Option 2 - exactly 6 diamonds with 5+ suit points in the diamond suit, opener bids  2 ♦ . This bid is referred to as a "Weak 2's". (Go to the web page Weak 2's for more information). With less than 5 suit points in the spade suit, the opener bids PASS.

     • Option 3 - exactly 7 diamonds with 5+ suit points in the diamond suit, opener bids  3 ♦ . This bid is referred to as a "Preemptive 3". (Go to the web page Preemptive 3 for more information). With less than 5 suit points in the diamond suit, the opener bids PASS.

     • With exactly 8 spades and 5+ suit points in the diamond suit, opener bids PASS. The  4 ♦  opening bid commits the partnership to a 4-level contract without knowing if the partnership has enough points. Also, it eliminates a possible contract in  3 NT .

   1) 98% of the time the opener will bid  1 ♦ . This strong hand has a 3+card diamond suit and more than enough HCPs to open. The location of the HCPs does not matter.
   2) In rare cases, the opener will bid the  2 ♣  equivalent. The hand can have less than 22+ HCPs, but it must hold 10 quick tricks (one trick less than the 11 required for game with diamonds as the trump suit). This artificial demand bid indicates a powerful hand, but nothing about the diamonds suit. The responder MUST keep the bidding open (even with a bust hand) so the opener can bid again in the appropriate suit. For more information go to the  2 ♣  web page.