Option 1 is the most common opening. Options 2, 3 and 4 require the Special Condition (*) where there must be 5+ suit points in the heart suit:
     • Option 1 - 5+ hearts: opener bids PASS - Not enough Hand Points to open.

     • Option 2 - exactly 6 hearts with 5+ suit points in the hearts 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 heart suit, the opener bids PASS.

     • Option 3 - exactly 7 hearts with 5+ suit points in the heart 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 heart suit, the opener bids PASS.

     • Option 4 - 8+ hearts with 5+ suit points in the heart suit, opener bids  4 ♥ . This bid is referred to as a "Weak 4's". (Go to the web page Weak 4's for more information). This is a risky, closeout bid to game in one step, without knowledge of what the responder is holding. But it is usually successful. With less than 5 suit points in the heart suit, the opener bids PASS.

   1) 98% of the time the opener will bid  1 ♥ . This strong hand has a 5+card heart 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 9 quick tricks (one trick less than the 10 required for game with hearts as the trump suit). This artificial demand bid indicates a powerful hand, but nothing about the heart 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.