By Peter Rhead
Examples of Ogust Responses to a Weak-Two Bid
Last week we introduced the convention OGUST to work with the Weak-Two opening bid. No, it is not a spelling mistake. But it does sound like that month in the summer! The convention was invented by an American of that name.
The OGUST convention is bid by you, the Weak-Two opener, after your partner responds 2NT asking you for more information. We will discuss one hand for each of the four OGUST responses. Remember, your Weak-Two opening bid is based on a weak hand of 7-12 points including two length points, with a good suit of six cards. Therefore, responder must have at least 16 points to go on. By going on, responder is suggesting a game or slam possibility. Responder bids 2NT asking you for more information.
Consider a good suit to mean one in which you have two of the top three honours or three of the top five honours. If by any chance you want to open a Weak-Two in Clubs you of course have to open Three Clubs showing six or seven Clubs. However, since you are a level higher, you should have at least a ten-point hand.
I once played against a player who accidently opened a weak Two-Club bid. Of course, there is no such thing as a weak Two-Club bid. His partner enthusiastically bid a slam. The opener, fully realizing his error, was able to maintain a poker face as the disaster unfolded.
Remember, for your Weak-Two opening, we are defining a “Bad Hand” as 7-9 points and a “Good Hand” as 10-12 points. Notice, in the following examples, why those partnerships that open a Weak-Two with a “Bad Suit” find OGUST beneficial. There are only four possible responses by opener. Each possibility is demonstrated in the following examples. You are the Weak-Two opener and then you respond OGUST after partner bids 2NT asking for more information.
Consider the following Weak-Two hand opened Two Diamonds by you:
Spades 92
Hearts 76
Diamonds KJ9742
Clubs J72
After 2NT response, you bid Three Clubs: Bad Hand Bad Suit.
Consider a slightly different Weak-Two hand also opened Two Diamonds by you:
Spades 92
Hearts 76
Diamonds AQ9742
Clubs J72
After 2NT response, this time you bid Three Diamonds: Bad Hand Good Suit.
Consider the following Weak-Two hand opened Two Hearts by you:
Spades QJ9
Hearts Q109765
Diamonds 97
Clubs A7
After 2NT response, you bid Three Hearts: Good Hand Bad Suit.
Consider a slightly different Weak-Two hand also opened Two Hearts by you:
Spades Q74
Hearts AKJ943
Diamonds 97
Clubs 72
After 2NT response, this time you bid Three Hearts: Good Hand Good Suit.
Your partner will be very happy when you bid this strongest of the OGUST bids!
For more information, read “Ogust Responses To Weak-Two Bids” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, page .173
Next Week: Responding to Preemptive Three Bids
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 [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
0 Comments