Lesson 3L Main |
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The use of weak two-bids is limited to three suits (2 , 2
and 2
). An opening bid of 2
is reserved for the strong hands regardless of the suit actually held. This lesson explains the requirements to open 2
, and the responses and rebids thereafter.
An opening bid of 2 requires at least 23 points or a hand with a self-sufficient suit that is at least within one trick of game. The main difference between 2
and all the other opening bids is this:
An opening bid of 2 is forcing and artificial (it does not necessarily show a club suit).
The best way to understand when to open 2 is to see how it fits in with other openings. The following two tables summarize the general opening bid strategy:
Unbalanced Hands | |
---|---|
13-22 points | 1 of a suit |
23+ points | 2 ![]() |
Balanced Hands | |
---|---|
12-14 HCP | 1 of a suit |
15-17 HCP | 1 NT |
18-19 HCP | 1 of a suit |
20-22 HCP | 2 NT |
23-24 HCP | 2 ![]() |
25-26 HCP | 3 NT |
27+ HCP | 2 ![]() |
The above table presumes the popular 15-17 1 NT opening. If you prefer the traditional way,
the first four ranges become 13-15, 16-18, 19-20 and 21-22 (higher ranges are the same).
Lesson 3L Main | ![]() | Top Strong Two-Club Bid |
Most of the time the partner of the 2 bidder will have a weak hand and he should make the negative response of 2
. Count high-card points only at your first response.
With 0 to 7 HCP respond 2 regardless of your hand pattern.
After the negative 2 response opener must describe what kind of hand he has for his 2
bid.
With an unbalanced hand opener should bid 2 , 2
, 3
or 3
. These rebids are forcing.
1. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass |
East responds 2 (0-7 HCP) then West shows his real suit. East raises to show three trumps and West goes to game.
2. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 ![]() 3 ![]() 5 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 2 NT 4 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass Pass |
East does not like spades so he rebids 2 NT. When West shows his second suit, East raises and West bids game.
3. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 NT | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass |
West shows his longest suit (clubs) then, when East indicates a spade suit, he uses good judgment to bid 3 NT.
Confucius say: Man with strength for two clubs is one mean dude.
4. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass |
West is happy to raise Easts heart suit, rather than play in a minor.
With a balanced hand opener should bid 2 NT with 23-24 HCP or 3 NT with 27-28 HCP. These rebids are nonforcing.
5. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 NT | Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 NT | Pass |
West shows 23-24 HCP. East is not required to bid again, but with 2 HCP he correctly continues to 3 NT.
6. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 NT 3 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass |
After the 2 NT rebid the bidding is just as if the opening bid were 2 NT. Hence 3 is Stayman; opener indicates a four-card spade suit, and East raises to game.
7. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 NT | Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 6 NT | Pass |
West shows 27 or 28 HCP and East does his arithmetic to bid a slam.
Lesson 3L Main | ![]() | Top Strong Two-Club Bid |
You may have noted in examples 1-4 that responders hand had some potential even though it was weak. A problem arises when responder has a worthless or near-worthless hand and he is forced to bid again. The recommended procedure is to use what is commonly called the second negative.
After a 2 response to 2
and a suit rebid by opener, a rebid of 3
(or 3 over 3
) is an artificial waiting bid. This indicates 0-4 HCP.
8. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 ![]() 3 NT | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass |
East intends to support hearts (after 2 ) but he first bids 3
to indicate a terrible hand. Compare example 1.
9. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 2 ![]() 3 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass |
West rebids his spade suit to indicate within a trick of game in hand. East can contribute nothing so he passes.
10. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 ![]() 3 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass |
Easts 3 is a waiting bid, West shows his second suit and East raises to game. In this case Wests 3
bid is a new suit and it is forcing. Compare example 9.
Lesson 3L Main | ![]() | Top Strong Two-Club Bid |
If responder has at least 8 HCP, he should make a positive response to the 2 opening. This not only indicates that game is assured but also that a slam is probable (23 + 8 = 31 points) unless each player has the minimum strength for his bid.
With 8+ HCP bid a five-card or longer suit (2 , 2
, 3
or 3
) or 2 NT if balanced.
11. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 NT 6 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 4 ![]() 5 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass Pass |
East shows a positive response with five hearts, West shows his long suit and East raises. West uses Blackwood to bid the excellent slam.
12. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 3 ![]() 4 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass |
Wests hand qualifies for 2 because it is within a trick of game. East shows both of his suits and then gives up on slam when opener can only repeat his heart suit.
13. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 NT | Pass Pass | 2 NT 6 NT | Pass |
East shows a balanced hand of 8+ HCP. West shows minimum values by bidding 3 NT, but East knows that 23 + 10 = 33. Without the Q, East would pass 3 NT.
Lesson 3L Main | ![]() | Top Strong Two-Club Bid |
The opponents do not always go quietly when you open 2 . They will often make overcalls to direct a lead or suggest a sacrifice, or just to be a nuisance. It is important to have a few simple rules to contend with this interference.
After an enemy bid, responder needs only 5 HCP to bid directly.
14. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() 3 NT | 2 ![]() Pass | 3 ![]() Pass | Pass |
Without the overcall East would bid 2 negative, but in competition it is important to be able to show a decent suit. West bids the obvious game with his spade stopper.
All doubles or redoubles are for penalty, and all direct passes of enemy bids are forcing.
15. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() Pass | 2 ![]() | Dbl | Pass |
Very little strength is required to double as responder, as long as you have trumps. The double warns opener not to bid, and the opponents are in serious trouble.
16. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() Pass 4 ![]() | Pass Pass Pass | 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | 3 ![]() Pass |
Wests pass over 3 forces East to do something, so he bids his suit and a good game is reached. Note that if opener doubled 3
it would be for penalty.
Lesson 3L Main | ![]() | Top Strong Two-Club Bid |
© 2012 Richard Pavlicek