Guide 2Z41 Main

Weak Two-Bids

by Richard Pavlicek

Opening bids or jump overcalls of 2 , 2 or 2

Requirements for a Weak Two-Bid

Your hand should contain

6 card suit Q-x-x-x-x-x or better

6 to 11 HCP

no side 4 card major Q-x-x-x or better

If you are vulnerable

Your suit should contain two of the top three honors (at least K-Q-x-x-x-x) or three of the top five honors (at least Q-J-10-x-x-x).

If partner is a passed hand

Any single requirement may be tactfully violated. For example, you may bid a strong 5 card suit.

Responses to Two Diamonds

Partner
2

(opp)
Pass

You
?

With a 6+ card unbid suit

10-15 points	bid your suit	N
16+ points	bid 2 NT	F

With any hand

14+ HCP

bid 2 NT

With 3+ card diamond support

10-15 points	raise to 3	N
16+ points	bid 2 NT	F

If your suit is clubs it must be strong (or any 7+ cards) and you should not have 3+ cards in diamonds.

Alternatively you may bid 3 NT with 16-19 HCP and stoppers in the remaining three suits.

This is mainly an obstructive bid to hinder the opponents. With 4+ trumps you may also raise to 4 or 5 .

Guide 2Z41 Main Top Weak Two-Bids

Responses to Two Hearts or Two Spades

Partner
2

(opp)
Pass

You
?

With 3+ card trump support

8-13 points	raise to 3 or 3	N
14-16 points	bid 2 NT	F
17-19 points	raise to 4 or 4	S
20+ points	bid 2 NT	F

With a 6+ card unbid suit

10-15 points	bid your suit	N
16+ points	bid 2 NT	F

With any hand

14+ HCP

bid 2 NT

This is mainly an obstructive bid to hinder the opponents. With 4+ trumps you may also raise to 4 or 4 .

If your suit is hearts or a minor, it must be strong (or any 7+ cards) and you should not have 2+ cards in partner’s major.

Rebids after a Two-Notrump Response

You
2

(opp)
Pass

Partner
2 NT

(opp)
Pass

With any minimum

6-8 HCP

bid 3 of your suit

With a suit headed by A-K-Q or A-K-J

9-11 HCP

bid 3 NT

With an outside ace, king or queen

9-11 HCP

bid that suit

Rebids by Two-Notrump Responder

Partner
2

(opp)
Pass
Pass

You
2 NT
?

(opp)
Pass

General guidelines

Usually you will pass or bid game in partner’s suit or 3 NT. A bid in partner’s original suit below game is invitational. A bid in any other suit below game shows 5+ cards and is forcing.

Guide 2Z41 Main Top Weak Two-Bids