Introduction
A weak 2-suit opening bid shows a hand with a suit containing exactly 6 cards and a weak hand in the range of 6 – 11 HCP. A weak-2 bid applies to ♦, ♥, or ♠. A 2 ♣ bid is reserved for all hands with 22 or more points.
The purpose of a weak 2 bid is to interfere with opposition’s bidding while showing your strength to your partner.
When you see reference to a weak-2 bid, it means a bid only in ♦, ♥, or ♠ and not in ♣.
The weak 2 bid is restricted to a specific HCP range. At the top end of this range, you might have distribution points that qualify the hand as an opening hand. When you have an opening hand, based on points, but the weak 2 bid is not recommended, then you may bid at the 1-level.
A weak 2 bid is an opening bid. If you are in an overcall situation and are forced to bid at the 2-level. it is not a weak 2 bid. If your partner overcalls at the 2-level, your partner does not promise a 6-card suit.
Player Positions
Player positions in Bridge are not related to North, South, East, or West, but are defined relative to the dealer. The dealer starts the bidding and is in the first position. The second position is the next bidder or the player to the dealer’s left. Third position is the third bidder, and fourth position is the last bidder before the dealer bids again, starting the second round of bidding.
The Weak 2-Suit Opening
In general, a weak 2-bid in ♦, ♥, or ♠ shows a 6-card suit. The hand value depends on vulnerability; 6 – 10 HCP when not vulnerable and 7 – 11 HCP when vulnerable.
Weak 2-Suit Openings in 1st or 2nd Position
A bidder in 1st or 2nd position opens before his or her partner has bid. Therefore a weak 2 bid may also interfere with partner’s bid. So, there are additional restrictions for a weak 2 bidder:
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The 6-card suit should be headed by at least an Ace, King, or Queen. A 2nd honor card is preferable but not required. You should not have a 4-card major suit along with your 6-card suit, because you might prevent your partner from bidding. You should not have a 5-card minor as a side suit. As a 2-suited hand might be strong enough to open at the 1-level. You should not have a void. Again, your hand might be strong enough to open at the 1-level. |
Weak 2-Suit Openings in 3rd Position
If you are in a position to open, then your partner and RHO have passed. If you have a 6-card suit and have the requisite HCP, then ignore the restrictions that apply to the 1st and 2nd positions.
Weak 2-Suit Openings in 4th Position
If all players have passed to you in 4th position, then the conventional weak 2 is useless, so the bidding rules change. In 4th position, a weak-2 bid shows a 6-card suit and 11 – 15 points. You show an opening hand with a 6-card suit.
Analysis by the Responder
Any bid other than pass is either invitational or game forcing.
You must decide if there is a good possibility of a game. A game may be in order if you have 14-15 points. An honor in the trump suit is helps. Another good possibility is 4 or 5 card support and a singleton or a void. If you cannot support partner’s suit with 2-card support, you need a good suit of your own with at least 5 cards and a very strong hand, with better than opening points. Invitational values show 11-13 points. If your hand is not strong enough for game or an invitation to game, then pass.
Bids by Responder
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A raise to game in partner’s suit shows support in partner’s suit and an opening hand with 14+ points, or it shows 4-5 card support with invitational points or solid distributional values like a singleton or doubleton. If partner bids in 4th position, the weak 2 bid shows 11 -15 points, so a single raise with 10-12 points is invitational. With 13+ points, raise to game. A single raise shows invitational values and 2-card support in the suit. Bidding a new suit shows no support for partner’s suit, a good new suit, and 15 points. It is a forcing bid. A pass shows that a game is unlikely. |
Rebids by Opener
Generally, the opener follows the responders lead.
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Pass when partner bids game in your suit. Raise partner’s new suit bid if you have 3-card support. Otherwise bid NT or raise in your suit. Take partner’s invitation only if you have an opening hand when counting distribution points. In 4th position, partner’s single raise is invitational. Raise to game with 14-15 points. |
A Bidding Example
North starts the bidding.
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North has 9 HCP and 11 points. North has 6 ♥ and a point range that qualifies for a weak 2 ♥ bid. North does not have a 4-card major side-suit, not a 5-card minor, nor a void. This hand can be bid in any position.
The other three hands are possible South hands that need a response.
South1 has 15 HCP and more than the minimum 2-card support. This hand is good enough for a 4 ♥ game bid.
South2 has 9 HCP, 12 points, and no support in partner’s suit. You are not strong enough mention a new suit, so pass.
South3 has 7 HCP and 4-card support in partner’s suit. You do not have 10-12 points, so pass.
Review Questions
Some questions may have more than one correct answer.
North bids 2 ♥ using the weak 2 convention.
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Use the North and South hands to answer the next 4 questions.
1. In what player position is a North bid 2 ♥ bid OK?
2. What is South1’s response?
3. What is South2’s response?
4. What is South3’s response?
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