STRONG “TWO CLUBS”
There has to be one bid that partner respects and
that indicates you want to try for a game…
That is an artificial 2C. It says you have a great hand, but does not say in which suit.
For these big hands…, some people still use the old Goren rule of 25 pts/5-card suit;
23 pts/6-card suit; 21 pts./ 7-card suit. A good
thing about this evaluation is that it takes long, longer and longest suits into account.
Other systems simply say 22+ points. This is good for beginners, who have no hand evaluation experience.
I prefer to use this bid to
tell pard I need only 1 trick from their hand..(maybe 1½ tricks on a bad day)
Which of the following hands
seems stronger?
a) AKxx
AKxx AQx ..
AJ Total of 26 points
b) x
Axx AKQxxxxxx ----
Total of
l8 points
(Hint…remember
when in a suit contract count losers…in a NT contract count winners…)
If your partner has fewer
than 6 HCP, can you make game with hand # a?
Only if pard holds magic
cards!
Can you make a game with
hand #b? Probably, except on Tuesdays…
This is not to say that we
will not open hand #a with 2Clubs (opening 2NT shows 20-21 HCP). And it would
not be wrong to open hand #b with
1Diamond.
Rule. If it’s a fantastic
hand, open it with your strong bid.
3 reasons for onening a strong 2C
1) 8 ½ tricks in hand AKQxxxx Axx Kx
xx
2) Too many
points not to AKQxx Axx AQx Ax
3) You’d be sick if pard passed…AKxxxx AKQxx
x x
Common
factor: game is possible… even if pard has fewer than 6 HCP.
Bid Count
1 of a suit 12-I4HCP
1NT 15-17HCP
1
any-1other, 2NT 18- 19 HCP
2NT 20-21HCP
2C-2any,2NT 22-24HCP
2C-2any,3NT 25-27HCP
Bid
2D unless you have a good (HEADED BY 2 OF THE TOP 3
HONORS)
5-card suit and 8+ HCP.
You are going to game unless partner bids and rebids his suit WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM YOU! Then,
and only in that one instance, can you pass if you have ZERO tricks for pard.
On many strong 2 Club bids, partner essentially has game in his own hand.
Notice you are being asked about your point count when you are responding to
pard’s strong opening 2 Clubs….NOT YOUR
SUIT! as when you answer an
opening one-level bid. Sometimes you can do both at once, but point count takes precedence.
Example…. Partner opens 2C. With J987543 6 875 86,
responder does not respond 2S. Make your 2D waiting bid. You maybe able toshow
your spades at one of your later bids…
Responder’s
Action
1) BID A GOOD 5-CARD SUIT WITH 7+ POINTS.
(Agood suit is one headed by 2 of the top 3 honors)
Pard opens 2Clubs and you
hold: AKxxx xxx Qxx
xx. Respond 2S. If pard bids 3H, raise to 4H,
He now knows you have a reasonable spade suit, decent points and heart
support.
2) OTHERWISE BID 2D.This is called a “waiting bid”…
This can be either a weak or strong response. You will tell partner which with
your next bid. Right now, save
bidding space with no good suit to talk about and now the 2C opener will now
bid his suit or 2NT if he was strong and balanced (22-24 HCP).
Now responder should clarify his
point count… With any points at all, he supports paid if he can, or (2nd
choice) bids a 5-card suit of his own or lastly, 2NT. The contract is going at
least to game.
With a real bust (0-2 points and no tricks) responder can bid his
cheapest minor 3C or 3D, this is an artificial bid telling pard, “I have no Ace
or King and no ruffing value.
Pard, I haven’t a single trick for you.(Called a 2nd
Negative)
If opener then rebids his suit, responder may pass
below game.
Responder holds: xxxxx xx xxx xxx. The bidding proceeds: 2C,2D,2H,3C**…When opener
now says 3H, responder may pass. Any other bid here by opener forces to game or
until the opponents are doubled.
Examples: Pard opens 2C. You
respond 2D, he bids 2H) Axxx xx Qxx
xx., Bid 2NT.
No slam probably, but you
must take a forward-moving bid.
f. Qxxxx
xx Kxxx Kx…..Bid 2S.
Positive response, weak
5-carder. Try for slam.
g) Axxx
xxx xx Kxx Raise to 3H. Good stuff.
h)
Axxxx
xx xxx xxx Bid 2D .Rebid 2S.
i)
Do
not use the Second Negative with an Ace or King! Get to game.
Stayman, Jacoby Transfers over 2 NT
If the bidding proceeds 2C – 2D, 2NT - ?, you can now use 3C as
Stayman asking for a 4-card major. Notice 3C is not 2nd
negative over 2NT. If you are busted, pass
2NT(it is not forcing…it is quantitative!) You may also use Jacoby.
Opener’s holds
KQ102 AQJ K2 AQJ4
Responder holds Axxx Kx xxxx Kxx:
The bidding goes…2C-2D-2NT-3C-3S-6S (4NT instead of an immediate
6S also OK)
Gambling 3NT *Alert…opening
3NT with a running 7-card minor suit…, no outside Ace or King (x xx AKQJxxx Qxx.)
Pard bids 4C with no stoppers in the other suits.
Either pass or bid 4D if that was your
long minor.
Ex. 1. Pard opens 3NT*. Q9xx Kxx x Axxxx. Pass.
Even if they guess to lead a spade, this contract may work. Notice opponents can probably make game in hearts…, but now it is hard for them to find it.
Ex. 2. You hold xx xx xxx Kxxxx Pass
If you are brave…this is the time to further the preempt…by bidding 5 or 6 D…that must be partner’s suit since you
hold the K of clubs! Block their slam investigation