Introduction
The strong 2 ♣ opening bid provides the strong 2 alternative to the weak 2 convention. This strong 2 ♣ convention differs from the 2 ♣ bid shown in the strong 2-suit lesson. First, this strong 2 ♣ bid applies to all strong hands, so you bid 2 ♣ even when your 5-card suit is ♠. You would bid 2 ♣ even with a void in ♣.
Counting Quick Tricks
Quick tricks are Aces, Kings, and sometimes Queens that can provide tricks right off. A King not backed by an Ace, but with support is worth half a trick, because the Ace might be in the correct hand. A Queen supported by an Ace but not a King is worth half a trick because the King might be in the correct hand. An AKQ combination is worth 2 tricks, because the Queen will probably be trumped. The following table lists the quick trick values.
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Counting Sure Tricks
A sure trick is the sum of all quick tricks plus extra tricks in a long suit with 3-4 top honors, for example:
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♠ A, K, Q, J, 9, 8, 7, 6 You should be able to count 7 ♠, losing to the 10, 1 quick trick in ♥, and 1 quick trick in ♦. That’s 9 sure tricks, enough for a 2 ♠ bid. |
The 2 ♣ Opening
A strong 2 ♣ opening bid shows 22 or more points or 8 1/2 sure tricks with a major suit bid or 9 1/2 tricks with a minor suit bid. The ♣ bid is an artificial bid and does not mean that the opener has a ♣ suit. A strong 2 ♣ is forcing for at least one round.
Analysis by the Responder
The responder must bid, even with zero points. The responder can bid his or her hand with 6 or more points, and either a 5-card suit with good honors or a balanced hand suitable for No Trump. Otherwise the responder makes a waiting bid of 2 ♦.
Any bid that is not a waiting bid promises game points.
Bids by Responder
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A bid of 2-major or 3 minor shows a 5-card suit and 6 HCP. The suit should have 2 of the top 3 honors or 3 of the top 5 honors. A 2 NT bid shows 7 HCP and no 4-card majors. A jump to 3 major shows a 6-card suit with 3 of the top 4 honors. Therefore, there are at least 6 HCP. Otherwise, respond with a waiting bid of 2 ♦. |
Rebids by Opener After a Waiting Bid
A waiting bid does not necessarily mean that the responder has no points. The opener must bid again.
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Bidding any suit shows a 5-card suit. 2 NT shows a balanced hand and 22-24 HCP or a hand with no 5-card suit. |
Rebids by Opener After a Positive Bid
A positive bid is any bid other than a waiting bid. A positive bid shows enough points for any game bid.
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If you have 26 or more points, switch to slam bidding. If partner bids your suit, raise to game. If you have a 5-card suit, bid it even if you have 3-card support in partner’s suit. You can rebid partner’s suit next. If your 2 ♣ opening is not backed by a 5-card suit or your hand is balanced with 22-24 HCP, then bid 2-NT. Otherwise, bid 3 NT. |
Rebids by Responder
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If partner has made a game bid and you have 10 or more points, make an invitational slam bid. Otherwise, pass. If partner mentions another suit for the first time, bid the suit with 3-card support. If partner bids 2 NT and you have a 4-card major and 4 points, bid 3 ♣ to start Stayman bidding. Bid 3 NT if the opener responds with the wrong major or bids 3 ♦. |
Rebidding Options
A rebid of ♣ by the opener promises a 5-card suit. A rebid of any other suit by the opener promises a 6-card suit.
When the opener’s rebid is in No Trump, the opener promises stoppers in all unbid suits.
When applicable, the responder bids the longest suit. When two suits have the same length, the responder chooses a major suit over a minor suit. When two suits are both minor suits or both minor suits, the responder chooses the lower ranked suit.
In the cases when another bid is required, the bidder may have difficulty finding a reasonable bid. The usual rebid in that case is the rebid of a 5-card suit. While such a rebid is not honest, it is the most recommended solution.
A Bidding Example
North starts the bidding. What will be the final bid in each of the 3 options?
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North has 22 HCP and 23 points. North has enough points to bid 2 ♣.
South1 has 5 HCP and 5 HCP and no 5-card suit. South1 would bid 2 ♦. North would bid 2 ♠. South1, with 5 points could raise to 4 &spades. This bid should be successful.
South2 has 5 HCP. South2 would bid 2 ♦. North would bid 2 ♠. South1, with 5 points could raise to 4 &spades. This bid might go sown 1 trick.
South3 has 8 HCP. With a 5-card %clubs; suit, but the suit only has 2 of the 5 top honors. South3 bids 2 ♦. North would bid 2 ♠. South3 can’t support ♠, but must bid. South3 bids 3 ♣. This bid should be successful. North would bid 3 NT.
Review Questions
Some questions may have more than one correct answer.
With 23 HCP, North bids 2 ♣. Unless otherwise indicated, South responds 2 ♦.
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Use the North and South hands to answer the next 6 questions.
1. What is North’s response to South1’s 2 ♦ bid?
2. What is South1’s follow-up bid?
3. How should North rebid?
4. What is South2’s response to North’s 2 ♣ opening bid?
5.After North bids 2 ♠, what is South2’s rebid?
6. After South3 bids 2 ♦ and North bids 2 ♠, what is South3’s rebid?
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