2 Over 1 Bidding System – Pete's Sandbox

Introduction

The 2 over 1 bidding system changes the meaning of a 2-level response in a lower ranking suit when the opening bid is a 1-major suit. When a player opens 1-major suit, the responder shows a hand with 13+ points by bidding a lower ranked suit at the 2-level. This bid replaces the 2-level bid of a lower ranked suit showing 10+ points. Note that the new rule only applies when the opening bid is 1-major suit. If the opening bid is in a minor suit, then the old rules apply, where a 2-level bid in a lower ranked suit show 10+ points.

This lesson focuses on the 2 over 1 game forcing convention to be used in conjunction with the forcing No Trump response. The two related conventions form a complete strategy for handling major-suit openings. After a 1-major opening bid, a 2-bid in a lower ranking suit should force bidding to continue until game in a major suit or No Trump is reached.

The 2 over 1 game forcing convention is based on material in https://kwbridge.com/2over1.htm.

When to use the 2 over 1 Convention

The 2 over 1 game forcing convention shows 13+ points when your partner opens with 1-major suit (♥ or ♠), and the intervening player passes.

The opener should interpret a 2 over 1 bid in a weaker suit as showing 10+ points when:

The opener bids 1-minor suit (♣ or ♦).
The bidding is competitive when there is an intervening bid or double.
The opener overcalls.
The responder holds a passed hand in first or second position.

Invitational Bids in the 2 over 1 Response

Bidding 2 over 1 after a major suit opening is game forcing, so there can be invitations to a slam from both the opener and the responder.

When the opener makes an invitation to a slam bid, it shows 18-19 points.

When the opener shows more that 15 points, the responder may invite to slam with a good hand showing 17+ points.

Responder’s Bids when 2 over 1 Applies

Partner has made an opening bid of 1-major suit. 2 over 1 bidding options are as follows:

With less than 6 points, pass.
With 6-12 points refer to the Forcing No Trump lesson.
With 13+ points, bid 2-lower ranking suit. The bidder only promises a 3-card suit.

Opener’s Response to 2 over 1 Bid

A 2 over 1 bid sets the stage for the next bid by the responder. In a waiting mode, the opener should show a more specific point range while indicating more details about the suit distribution. You are constrained by responder’s 2-level bid of a lower ranking suit. Remember, the 2 over 1 is game forcing, so keep bidding at least until a game b id is reached.

The opener may make the following responses to a 2 over 1 bid:

12-15 points. Normal opening hand.
2 NT shows 12-14 points, balanced hand and stoppers in unbid suits.
2-opening suit shows a 5-card suit.
2-lower ranking suit shows 4-card suit.

15-18 points. Stronger opening hand.
3-opening suit shows a 6-card suit.
2 ♠ after a 1 ♥ opening is a reverse bid showing a 4-card suit and a stronger opening hand.
Any 3-level bid in another suit shows a 4-card suit and extra values.

18+ points. Strongest opening hand.
3 NT shows 18+ points with at least 15 HCP.
bid 2 NT, then show extra values by bidding 3 NT or 4 NT, depending on your combined strength.

Responder Rebids after 2 over 1 Bid

In this case, your partner has opened 1-major suit, and you have responded with 2 bid of a lower ranking suit.

After bidding the 2 over 1 game forcing bid, the responder must show the normal opener its strengths and ensure that game or slam is reached when the opener shows a stronger than normal hand.

The responder may make the following rebids after bidding forcing No Trump:

3 opening major suit shows 3-card support and is an invitation to slam.
4 opening major suit shows 3-card support and minimum values (12-15 points).
2 NT shows either 11-14 HCP or 18-19 HCP.
3 NI shows 15-17 HCP and stoppers in the unbid suits.
Rebid your 2 over 1 suit shows a 6-card suit and extra values.
Bidding a new suit asks for more information and keeps the bidding open.
4 NT id Blackwood asking for aces.

Opener’s Third Bid

In this case, your partner has has responded twice and has given you a picture of the responding hand. You can begin to decide which game contract is appropriate.

The Opener may make the following rebids:

Rebid your opening major suit to show a 6-card suit.
Jumping to game in your opening major suit to show a 7+ card suit.
Raising partner’s 3-card suit shows 3-card support.
Raise partner’s 2 NT shows a balanced, minimum hand.
Bid NT to show stoppers in unbid suits.

When partner indicates extra values with an invitation:
If you have more than a minimum hand and you have a suit fit, bid 4 NT (Blackwood) or 4 ♣ (Gerber).

Bidding Example

The South hand Opens 1♠. Each North hand responds according to the forcing No Trump convention. This example shows the bids by North and the South rebids.

South Hand
♠ A, Q, 9, 3, 2 ♥ A, 9, 6 ♦ 9, 3 ♣ A, 10, 3

North Hands
Hand 1 ♠ J, 10, 4 ♥ 8, 7, 4, 2 ♦ K, 4 ♣ K, 8, 7, 4		Hand 2 ♠ K, 7, 6, 5 ♥ K, Q, 10, 5 ♦ J, 10, 8, 6 ♣ 2		Hand 3 ♠ 8 ♥ J, 3 ♦ A, Q, 7, 5, 2 ♣ Q, J, 9, 6, 5

The South hand has 14 HCP and 15 points overall. The North hand-1 has 7 HCP and 8 points overall. The combined points in the two hands are 21 HCP and 23 points, not enough points for a game bid.

The bidding omits East and West. If South starts the bidding, it might go as follows:

South	North-1	Comments
1 ♠	2 ♠	North-1 is in the 6-9 point range with trump support — not enough for game.
Pass		With a solid, minimum hand and no invitational support, South passes.

The South hand has 14 HCP and 15 points overall. The North hand-2 has 9 HCP and 11 points overall. The combined points in the two hands are 24 HCP and 26 points, enough points for a game bid.

The bidding omits East and West. If South starts the bidding, it might go as follows:

South	North-2	Comments
1 ♠	1 NT	North-2 is in the 10-12 point range with trump support — enough for an invitation to game.
2 ♣	3 ♠	With a solid, minimum hand and a possible invitation, South needs more information.
4 ♠	Pass	North’s 3 ♠ bid shows 10-12 points and 4 ♠. South has enough to bid game.

The South hand has 14 HCP and 15 points overall. The North hand-3 has 10 HCP and 12 points overall. The combined points in the two hands are 24 HCP and 27 points, enough points for a game bid.

The bidding omits East and West. If South starts the bidding, it might go as follows:

South	North-3	Comments
1 ♠	1 NT	North-3 is in the 10-12 point range without trump support, but not enough good HCP for an invitation to game.
2 ♣	Pass	South asks about an invitation to game, but North-3 declines.

Review Questions

Some questions have more than one correct answer.

Use these hands to answer the next 9 questions.

South Hand
♠ K, Q ♥ Q, 8, 7, 4, 3 ♦ Q, 6, 5 ♣ A, J, 3

North Hands
Hand 1 ♠ 10, 9, 2 ♥ A, 10 ♦ A, J, 10, 9, 2 ♣ 6, 4		Hand 2 ♠ 8, 7, 4, 3, 2 ♥ 6, 5, 2 ♦ K, 4, 3 ♣ K, 10, 2		Hand 3 ♠ A, J, 6, 5 ♥ K, J, 9 ♦ 8, 7 ♣ Q, 9, 8, 7, 5

The South hand has 14 HCP and bids 1 ♥. The following 3 questions applies to the bidding of North hand 1.

1. What is North Hand 1’s first response?

2. What is South’s response to North 1’s bid?

3. What is North 1’s rebid?

4. What is North 2-s response to South’s is South’s bid of 1 ♥?

5. What is South’s response to North 2’s bid?

6. What is North 3’s response to South’s opening bid of 1 ♥?

7. What is South’s response to North 3’s bid?

8. What is North 3’s response to South’s bid?

9. What is South’s Response North 3’s bid?

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