Strong Two Bid

Playing strong two bids, opening suit bids at the two-level are natural, showing at least a 5-card suit and a very powerful hand. The minimum strength requirements vary among players. However, a general rule of thumb is 21+ points with at least 17 high card points. Opener's suit should be of good quality as well, e.g. not Q5432. Strong two bids are forcing for one round. Examples:

AKJT93 A7 AQ A86		22 high card points + 2 length points for the 6-card suit = 24 points. Open 2.
J AKQ4 KQJ98 AJT		21 high card points + 1 length point for the 5-card suit = 22 points. Open 1.
KT873 AQ983 AK A		20 high card points + 2 length points for the 5 card suit = 22 points. However, the spade suit is awfully weak. (And you shouldn't bid hearts with 5-5 majors.) Open 1 instead.
QJT AQ K98 AKQT3		21 high card points + 1 length point for the 5 card suit = 22 points. This hand is nice and balanced though. Open 2NT, assuming you play it in the 20-21/22 point range.

The strong two opening is forcing; partner must bid even with a bad hand. A 2NT artificial response is used to show a poor hand in the 0-7 point range. Any other response is natural and game forcing.

It's recommended that a simple raise of a major suit, like 2-3, is stronger than a jump raise such as 2-4. This is in keeping with the bidding principle of fast arrival. Bad hands should sign off as quickly as possible whereas good hands with slam potential should conserve bidding space.

Here are the possible responses to a strong two:

Response	Meaning
2NT	The negative response, showing 0-7 points without support for opener's suit.
3NT	Balanced distribution, 8-10 points.
New suit	Natural (5+ cards), 8+ points, and game-forcing.
Single raise of a minor	At least 3-card support, 0-5 points.
Single raise of a major	At least 3-card support, 6+ points, and game-forcing.
Jump raise of a minor	At least 3-card support, 6+ points, and game-forcing.
Jump raise of a major	At least 3-card support, 0-5 points (strongly suggesting that opener pass).

Opener's rebids are natural and game-forcing except if:

• Responder bid 2NT (negative), AND
• Opener rebids her suit

The following are the typical rebids that opener can make.

Opener's Rebid	Meaning
Suit rebid	Natural, implying 6+ cards. Forcing unless responder bid 2NT.
3NT	Natural, showing a balanced hand, non-forcing. Responder is allowed to bid again with a good hand.
New suit	Natural (5+ cards) and game-forcing, even if responder bid 2NT.
Raise of partner's suit	Natural, showing at least 3-card support. Forcing.

		Opener			Responder
		KQT			AJ873
		A			K74
		AK74			983
		KQJT4			76
		Opener 2 (1) 3 Pass			Responder 2 (2) 4

1. Strong Two
2. 5+ card suit and 8+ points, game forcing

		Opener			Responder
		J7			A84
		AKJ652			QT
		AKQ			972
		A2			T8754
		Opener 2 (1) 3 (3) Pass			Responder 2NT (2) 4 (4)

1. Strong Two
2. Negative, 0-7 points
3. Implying a 6-card suit, non-forcing
4. Bidding game with a trick for partner

Strong twos were extremely popular in the early to mid 20th century. However they have become rare in tournament play, at least in North America, where Weak Two-bids dominate nowadays.