The Valentines Bidding System

We start with the 1NT opening bid because it sets the tone for the distributional nature of Valentines bidding. Standard approaches adopt a strict High Card Point count (e.g. 15 to 17, 16 to 18, etc.) but allow Opener to have anywhere between 2 and 5 cards in any suit (perhaps 2 to 4 cards in a major). That fear of a doubleton impedes Responder's ability to compete with 4-card suits and stop safely with many 5-carders.

Holding a flat hand a person can open a natural 1C, 1D or 1H and then rebid 1NT over any 1-of-a-suit response. Only with Spades is this impossible. We may draw two conclusions from this: the 1S opening should promise an unbalanced hand; and, 1NT should be used to show 4 or 5 Spades in a flat hand. But:

	Opener A AQxx Kx Jxx KQxx	Opener B AQxx Kx KQxx Jxx

With 4-2-4-3 or 4-2-3-4 distribution one can open the 4-card minor and rebid 1S. And, as long as 1NT is going to promise 4 or 5 Spades, we can also allow it to guarantee 3 or 4 Hearts (but never a 5-4-2-2 type). After all, the above two hands account for two of the three distributions that would involve a doubleton Heart. The only "problem" distribution is 5-2-3-3.

	Opener A KQxxx Qxx Ax KQx	Opener B KQxxx Qxx Axx KQ

The above two hands can be opened 1NT.

	Opener C KQxxx Ax Axx KQx

This one cannot, since it violates the "3rd Heart" requirement.

The solution is to treat 5-2-3-3 hands as "unbalanced" (opened in Spades) while 5-3-2-3 and 5-3-3-2 hands will be considered flat and opened 1NT. A Valentines 1NT opening, then, promises 13-16 HCPs and a flat hand with 5-3, 4-3 or 4-4 in the majors.

Imagine the benefits of knowing that 1NT Opener has a "core" of 4-3 in the majors! Responder can compete with as few as four Hearts or as few as three Spades. Responder need not worry about competing in or running out to 2-of-a-major on a 4-card suit--only to discover that 1NT Opener has a doubleton there.

	Opener KJxx Axx Ax K10xx	Responder Qxxx xx xxx Qxxx

After Opener's standard 1NT what Responder will find either of the two 4-4 Black suit fits?

Responder Qxxx xx KQxx xxx

After partner's 1NT opening is overcalled with 2C you would like to compete. But in which suit? Only in Valentines can you confidently contest the part score with 2S.