Jeff Tang: scubasteve1975 "@" hotmail.com © 2007
Home > Bidding > Strong Two-bids

Playing strong two-bids, opening suit bids at the two-level are natural, showing at least a 5-card suit and roughly 20+ points (or a trick short of game). They are forcing for one round. Responder can make the following conventional responses:

2NT The negative response, showing 0-7 points without support for partner's suit
3NTBalanced 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 minorAt least 3-card support, 6+ points, and game-forcing
Jump raise of a majorAt least 3-card support, 0-5 points (strongly suggesting that opener pass)

Strong twos have become extremely rare in tournament play, at least in North America, where Weak Two-bids are popular.