Weak Two Bids
Weak Twos are opening bids that show 5-10 high card points and six cards in the bid suit. Ideally, opener has concentrated strength in his six-card suit and nothing in the other suits. The classic weak two bid looks something like this:
AQJTxx
x
xxx
xxx
By opening 2 you make it harder for the opponents to find a fit in one of the other suits.
See also the Rule of 2, 3 and 4, which is a guideline for determining when to open a weak two.
A weak two bid usually does not contain a side four-card major, although this is up to partnership agreement. The reason it is dangerous to preempt with a side four-card major is because the partnership may miss a good fit in that major, perhaps even a game contract, while they may have no fit in the weak two suit and may languish there.
Also, while the SAYC bidding system espouses 5-11 HCP as the range for a weak two, this technically conflicts with the Rule of 20. If you have 11 points and a 6-card suit, then you must have a 3-card side suit (or longer). Add that up and you get 20 points. So it's worth deciding if you and your partner want to open 11-pointers as a weak two.
Responses to a Weak Two
- A simple raise is called Raise Only Non Forcing. It shows 3 or 4-card support and approximately 6-13 points (insufficient values for a game contract). It is preemptive and completely non-forcing.
- A jump raise usually shows a weak, preemptive hand (with at least 4-card support). It is also common to make a
4 jump raise with 5-card support regardless of strength. However, a major suit jump raise may also be made by a strong hand that believes the game contract will succeed.
/
- A new suit is natural and forcing for one round, typically showing at least a 5-card suit and denying support for partner's suit. However, this is up to partnership agreement; some pairs prefer to play a new suit as a non-force.
- 2NT is a strong, artificial forcing bid. It is most frequently used when responder has 3+ card support. Opener is asked to show a feature in a side suit, i.e. an ace or king, by bidding that suit at the three level. Examples:
2
: 2NT
3
3
shows the ace or king of clubs.
2
: 2NT
3
3
See also Ogust, a convention with more detailed responses to 2NT. shows a minimum hand with no side suit features.
In competition, the artificial 2NT response and rebids are on.
Example Auctions
|
2 An obstructive raise. Non-forcing. |
T942
K542
|
2 Artificial and forcing. With game-invitational values, South plans to rebid |
|
2 A strong raise to game. However, this bid can also be preemptive with a weak hand and 4+ card support. |