Weak 2 Bids and Responses (2024)

FAQs

Weak 2 Bids and Responses? ›

Responding to a weak two bid. If you don't have at least 2 card support, you should pass unless you have 16+ HCP. The general system of responding is called RONF -- Raise (is the) Only Non-Forcing (Bid

Forcing responses (the preempter is being asked for more information): New suit = Usually a 6-card suit. 2NT = Asks for an outside feature (ace or king). You need around 14+ high-card points to make this bid. Redouble (over an opponent's direct takeout double) = Shows interest in penalizing their suit.

The “Rule of 17” says, “When Partner opens the bidding by bidding a 'weak-2' preemptive 2-level bid, if the bid is in a Major, you as Responder can decide whether to bid Game by adding together (1) the number of Trump cards you hold, plus (2) the number of HCPs you hold.

All notrump overcalls show notrump hands, not minors. Over a Weak 2-bid, use a jump to 3NT to show a good hand and a running suit. This jump usually denies takeout-double shape (you may be extremely short in an unbid suit). With a strong balanced hand, double first, then bid notrump.

Weak Two Opening bids are a preemptive bid. Weak Two bids tell your partner that you have at least a 6-card suit and 6-10 HCP with two or more high-cards in the bid suit. Generally bidding Weak Twos does not exclude a 4 card side-suit holding in another suit.

Responding to a weak two bid. If you don't have at least 2 card support, you should pass unless you have 16+ HCP. The general system of responding is called RONF -- Raise (is the) Only Non-Forcing (Bid). If you bid any new suit, you are showing 5+ cards and asking responder to raise with 3 card support.

A preemptive opening bid is one made on the second or higher level, typically showing a weak hand containing a long, strong suit. Preemptive opening bids on the third or higher level are common for most bidding systems; for example, the hand of ♠ 4 ♥ KQJ9854 ♦ J62 ♣ 95 is a typical 3♥ opener.

For an overcall at the 2 level you want to have 13-16 total points and a good 5+ card major or a good 6+ card minor.

The Smith convention uses 4C over any preempt at the three level for takeout and double for penalty. Over a weak two- bid in a major a jump to the four level in a minor suit is Leaping Michaels and shows at least 5-5 in the other major and the minor suit bid.

To overcall at the 1 level, you should have 8-16 HCP. If you have 17+ HCP, you should “double.” Your hand is too strong for an overcall. If the opponent opens in a major and you have a good suit in a minor, you must bid at the 2 level to get into the bidding.

How do you respond to a 2NT opening? ›

Don't preempt with four cards in a major suit (preempts with four cards in a minor suit are generally acceptable). This point only applies to preempts in first or second seat. Once partner is a passed hand, it is no longer a concern. Once you have made a preemptive bid, partner is in charge.

In contract bridge, a strong two-bid (also known as a forcing two-bid) is an opening bid of two in a suit, i.e. 2♣, 2♦, 2♥ or 2 ♠. It is a natural bid, used to show a hand that is too strong to open at the one level.

The Jacoby 2NT convention is an artificial, game-forcing response to a 1 or 1. opening bid. The 2NT response shows 4+ trump support with 13+ points. The bid asks partner to describe her hand further so that slam prospects can be judged accordingly.

When you are responding to a preemptive opening bid you should evaluate your hand by counting tricks, not points. Unless you can count more then the number of tricks your partner has overbid, you should pass. Some players would open 4♥ regardless of vulnerability, especially if opening in third seat.

The 2NT bid is used in some systems to show an invitational or better raise (10 point upwards, at least four-card support, forcing to the three level only) rather than a game force.