The Weak Two Bid
Steve Robinson in his excellent Washington Standard describes three types of "weak two" bids - constructive, semi-constructive and destructive. In order for a partnership to use these bids effectively they must agree on which type of weak two they will use, and just what the definition of a weak two is. Roughly speaking, he defines a constructive weak two as having 7 to 11 HCP and a six card suit with 2 of the top 3 honors. He defines a destructive weak two as having 3 to 11 HCP and a 5 or 6 card suit. The semi-constructive weak two is a compromise between the two extremes, and may be based on a good 5 card suit. Over the years, expert players have been moving more toward the destructive definition, emphasing the preemptive nature of the bid over the constructive nature.
My own recommendations would be:
1. In first or second seat, use constructive and semi-constructive weak twos.
2. In third seat, use all three definitions.
3. In fourth seat, use constructive weak twos only.
The following ideas are based in part on Robinson's discussion.
Guidelines for weak two bids in first or second position:
1. The hand should contain 5 to 10 HCP, and be typically an 8 loser hand (may range from 7 to 9 losers). A hand with 11 HCP will almost always satisfy the Rule of Twenty and should be opened with a one-bid. A hand with 7 losers should be opened with a one-bid if it satisfies your usual requirements for a one-level opening.
2. When vulnerable, the weak two should show a 6 card suit.
3. If based on a 5 card suit, the suit should be a "lead director" (KQJxx, for example).
4. The weak two suit should have more HCP values in the suit than outside it.
5. A weak two should have a maximum of two quick (defensive) tricks.
6. Avoid bidding a weak two with 6-5 or 5-5 distribution.
7. A major suit weak two can be made with a 4 card holding in the other major (long a contention of mine, and Robinson agrees).
Some examples:
| S - xxxx H - KJxxxx D - Kx C - x Open 2H. |
S - xx H - KQJxx D - Kxx C - xxx Open 2H not vulnerable. |
S - xxx H - AQxxxx D - Axx C - x Pass (you have 2 1/2 quick tricks) and hope to make an overcall later. |
S - Qxx H - AQxxxx D - Kxx C - x Open 1H. |
Responses to weak two bids:
The partner of the weak two bidder must decide whether game is possible, and if not he must decide whether and
how to participate in the preemptive process.
If partner wishes to help in the preempt he should count on Opener to
have one and a half defensive tricks. Adding the expected defensive tricks in his own hand, he should then estimate
what the opponents can make and make the bid which makes it the most difficult for them to find the right contract
or which might prod them to overbid (or underbid).
To determine the highest level contract which is safe, you must expect to be doubled. Your estimated penalty has
to be less than their expected game or slam.
Some examples:
| Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - Axx H - xxx D - xx C - AKxxx Bid 4H. Assume partner has 7 or 8 losers. You will be set 1 or 2, but you hope to set 4S if they bid it. |
Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - Axx H - xxx D - xx C - Kxxxx Bid 3H. Assume partner has 7 or 8 losers. You hope they will not bid 4S, which probably makes. |
You are not vulnerable, they are. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - x H - xxx D - xxxx C - KQxxx Bid 5H. Assume partner has 7 or 8 losers You will be set 2 or 3 tricks, but they can make 4S if they are allowed to bid it. |
Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - x H - Qxxx D - xxx C - Qxxxx Bid 4H. The opponents can probably make 6S.You hope they will sign off at 4S or double 4H. |
If the partner of the weak two bidder wishes to explore game or slam, he
needs to find out what kind of a weak two partner has. A response of 2NT is artificial and the weak two bidder
makes the following artificial rebids (Ogust responses):
1. 3C shows a minimum hand and a bad suit.
2. 3D shows a minimum hand and a good suit.
3. 3H shows a maximum hand and a bad suit.
4. 3S shows a maximum hand and a good suit.
For the purpose of evaluating a weak two for Ogust responses, the following criteria are suggested:
1. A good suit must be 6 cards in length and have 2 of the top 3 honors. Thus AKQxx is a bad suit as far as Ogust responses are concerned. (Note that there is a variation of Ogust which differentiates 5 card suits from 6 card suits. I am not recommending that method).
2. A maximum hand contains 7 losers, and a minimum hand contains 9 losers. To evaluate an 8 loser hand, use the Connie C. method - Do you laahhhk your hand? If so, call it a maximum. Usually, 9 or 10 HCP and 8 losers can be called a maximum.
Some examples:
| Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - Axx H - Qxx D - xxxx C - AKx Bid 2NT. If partner has a good suit you have a good shot at 3NT. Otherwise sign off at 3H. |
Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - Ax H - Qxx D - xxx C - AKxxx Bid 2NT. If partner has a good hand (7 losers), even without a good suit you should have a good shot at 4H. |
Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - Ax H - Qxx D - AKx C - AKxxx Bid 2NT. If partner has a good hand (7 losers), even without a good suit you should have a good shot at 6H. |
Nobody vulnerable. Partner opens 2H and you hold: S - x H - Qxxx D - xxx C - Qxxxx You could bid 2NT, trying to confuse the opponents. Sign off at either 3H or 4H, depending on partner's response, and hope the opponents don't catch on to their slam in spades. |
For a more comprehensive treatment of the Weak Two see Andover Standard.
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