Introduction
The strong 2-suit opening bid shows a strong hand, usually with 22 or more points. The strong 2-suit bid shown here is one of 2 bidding conventions used to show strength. This version is the more traditional convention and easier to grasp. The second convention is a more modern approach and will be explained in another lesson.
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-suit Opening
A strong 2-suit 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. A bid of 2 in a suit other than ♣ promises a 5-card suit. A 2 ♣ bid promises either a 5-card ♣ suit or a balanced hand. A strong 2-bid is forcing for at least one round.
A 2-suit opening other than ♣ doesn’t follow the 5-card convention. If you do not have a 5-card suit, bid 2 ♣ even if you have less than 3 cards in ♣. Your partner assumes you have ♣ until you advise otherwise with your second bid.
Analysis by the Responder
The responder must bid, even with zero points. When the responder does not have at least a King or 3 strong high card points, the responder should make a waiting bid. The responder may pass if the opener bids 2 NT or rebids the opening suit.
A suit bid by the responder signals an interest in a game bid, while a waiting bid promises nothing.
Bids by Responder
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A raise of the opener’s suit shows 3-card support and at least a King. A raise in the opener’s ♣ bid shows 4-card support and at least a King. A bid in a new 5-card suit shows a suit with at least a King and a Jack, that is, 4 HCP in the new suit. Otherwise, respond with a waiting bid. After a 2 ♣ opening, respond 2 ♦. After a 2 ♦, ♥ or ♠ opening, respond 2 NT. |
Rebids by Opener After a Waiting Bid
A waiting bid does not necessarily mean that the responder has no points. The opener should bid again.
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If your hand consists of a 6 or 7-card suit, then rebid it. If you have a second suit of at least 4-cards, bid it. If you have 24 HCP, you may bid 3 NT. Otherwise, bid 2 NT or rebid your suit. |
Rebids by Opener After a Positive Bid
A positive bid is any bid other than a waiting bid. A positive bid shows at least 3-4 HCP.
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If you opened with a 7-card suit, bid game. If responder supports your major suit, bid 4-major suit. If responder supports your minor suit and you have at least 25 points, bid 5-minor suit. Otherwise, bid 3 NT. 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. If you have 3-card support in responder’s major suit, bid 4-major. If you have 3-card support in responder’s minor suit and 25 or more points, bid 5-minor. If you have 23-24 points, bid 4-minor. If you have 22 points bid 2 NT. If your suit has 6 or more cards, you may rebid your suit. If partner bids another suit that you can’t support you may bid your second suit, promising at least 4 cards. If you have stoppers in the unbid suits, and you should, then 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 bids a second suit, support the suit only if you have 4-cards in the suit. 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
When the opener rebids a suit it usually 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 major 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
South starts the bidding. Can the players arrive at a reasonable 4 ♠ bid?
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| West ♠ 10, 9, 6 ♥ Q, J, 6 ♦ J, 7, 5, 4, 2 ♣ J, 6 |
East ♠ J, 3 ♥ 8, 7, 5, 2 ♦ K, 6 ♣ A, 10, 7, 4, 3 |
South has 22 HCP and 23 points. South has 5 ♠, enough ♠ and points to bid 2 ♠.
North has 5 HCP and 5 points and 3 ♠. North should bid 3 ♠.
Because North supports the ♠ suit, North shows at least 3 points. South should bid 4 ♠.
Review Questions
Some questions may have more than one correct answer.
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| West ♠ 6, 4, 3, 2 ♥ Q, 4, 3 ♦ K, Q, 8 ♣ K, 10, 7, 5 |
East ♠ K, 8, 5 ♥10, 8, 6, 5 ♦ 7, 2 ♣ 8, 4, 3 |
Use the North and South hands to answer the next 5 questions.
1. What is South’s opening bid?
2. What is North’s response?
3. How should South answer North?
4. How should North rebid?
5.How should South rebid?
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♠ ♥ ♦ ♣