Strong two bids

A strong two bid is an opening bid of 2 of a suit, being too strong to open at the 1-level.

  • They are natural bids used to show a a minimum of 16 high card points or
  • A hand which conforms to the rule of 25 (you add your high card points to your two longest suits to see if you satisfy this condition) or
  • The hand contains as a minimum the normal high card strength associated with a one level opening bid and has a minimum of eight clear-cut tricks or
  • An unbalanced 20-22 points which is not suitable for opening 2NT.

♠ AKQJ86

♥ 8

♦ A98

♣ A64

♠ KQ7

♥ AKJ 10 872

♦ K6

♣ 8

 Partner should announce:-

·         Strong, Forcing

·         Or:  Strong, Non-Forcing

You need to decide in advance whether your “Strong 2’s” are forcing or not.

Responses

Possible responses are:

  • A 2NT response is negative, showing a weak hand (~0-4 points).
  • Raise partner's suit with 3-card support.
  • Bid a new suit with some values and 5+ cards in the new suit
  • Bid 3NT with good values and a balanced hand.

 

Weak two bids

Be aware the Weak two bid is now commonly used in bridge where a jump bid of “two of a suit” signifies a weak hand with a long suit. It is a form of preemptive bid.

Most often, the Weak Two refers to an opening bid; but there is also a "weak jump overcall", which denotes a similar type of hand, but bid over an opponent's opening bid.  

♠ KQ9762

♥ 8

♦ J98

♣ Q74

♠ Q74                   (not vulnerable)

♥ QJ 10 763

♦ J9

♣ 62

 

 

 

 

Over an opening Weak two bid Partner should announce  “Weak”

A Weak jump bid over the oppositions bid “Is NOT announced”

 The requirements for a weak two bid vary from pair to pair. The most common it requires:

  • A six-card good suit (usually two honours, but no worse than Q 10 x x x x)
  • No more than one Ace or King in other suits
  • Normally no other 4-card major
  • About 6-10  high card points total.  ( 8-10 vulnerable)

Responses are not covered in this session.

Action: If the opponents open a Weak two. A Double usually shows an opening hand which can support any of the other suits or a very strong hand (and is intended for take-out.

Otherwise overcall with a 5 card suit with a hand you would normally open with.