By Peter Rhead
Weak-Two Bid Responses
Last week we introduced opening with the Weak-Two convention. The responder becomes the captain. Only he knows the potential of the two hands. Remember, the Weak-Two bid is based on a weak hand of about 10 points including two length points and a good suit of six cards.
Therefore responder needs at least 16 points to consider bidding for a game or slam. With less than 16 points your side will have a part-score at best, so why up the ante with another bid? Responder should just PASS unless he can extend the preempt . With three-card support and equal or favourable vulnerability he can raise one level to make the opponent’s bidding even more difficult.
With 16 points or more, responder gets excited. A game is likely! Perhaps a slam! Responder can force opener to bid again by bidding one of two ways: a new suit or 2NT. Both of these responses tell opener that there is a possible game or slam and responder wants more information. Responder’s new suit forces opener for one round. With three-card support, opener may then support the new suit heading for a suit contract or a slam. Without support, opener can bid a new suit himself heading for No-Trump or a slam by showing a control. If opener rebids his Weak-Two suit he says he has nothing else to contribute.
The 2NT response is more specific. It is unlimited suggesting a game or a slam. Responder’s bid of 2NT asks opener for a feature (Ace or King) elsewhere in his hand as a possible entry. A rebid of the Weak-Two by opener says he has nothing else to contribute.
For more information, read “Weak-Two Bids” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, page 33
Next Week: Examples of a Weak-Two Bid
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will try to include it in this column.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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