Weak Two Bids

Weak two bids are how most players open a good six-card suit and about 7 points. That hand is too weak to open at the one level, yet passing it gives the opponents a free run at their best contract. Opened at the two level, it describes itself to partner in one call and takes the whole one level away from the other side. Weak twos are part of Standard American and almost every modern system.

An opening of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ shows a six-card suit and about 5 to 10 high-card points. 2♣ is not a weak two. It stays as the strong artificial opening. Partner now knows your hand within a few points and takes charge. The tree below shows the 2♥ opening with its main responses, and 2♦ and 2♠ work the same way.

The 2NT response here is the feature ask. Opener with a minimum rebids the suit, and opener with a better hand names an outside ace or king. Many pairs prefer Ogust, where 2NT asks about range and suit quality instead. Either works well enough once the partnership has agreed which one it plays.

The suit matters more than the points. Partner will often raise or lead your suit on the strength of the opening, so it has to be worth it. When vulnerable, a good working standard is two of the top three honors, or three of the top five. Not vulnerable you can be a little looser. Seat matters too.

In first and second seat, the classic disciplined weak two also has no outside four-card major and no void. Plenty of good players relax this, but the reason for it is real. A hand with four spades and six hearts may belong in spades, and a weak two in hearts loses that fit. In third seat, after partner has passed, the opponents probably hold the balance of strength and you can take more liberties.

• Good weak two in spades: ♠KQJ975 ♥83 ♦Q74 ♣62. Eight points, all in the suit or close to it.
• Too weak a suit when vulnerable: ♠J86542 ♥K4 ♦QJ3 ♣84. Pass or, not vulnerable in third seat, open 2♠.
• Too strong: ♠AQJ984 ♥K4 ♦A73 ♣62. Fourteen points. Open 1♠.

Responder adds up the combined values. If there is no game interest, the only question left is how high to obstruct. Raises are pure preemption, and the law of total tricks says to bid to the level of your combined trumps. Holding three-card support, raise to three. Holding four, bid four.

These raises are not invitational and opener always passes.

A new suit is natural and forcing for one round. Only the raise and the jump to game are non-forcing. Opener raises with a top honor doubleton or three-card support and a maximum, and rebids his own suit with a minimum.

Bid 2NT when you hold a good hand and are unsure about game. As a rough guide, responder needs about 16 points or a good fit to consider game opposite a weak two, since opener averages 7 or 8 points. When the opponents open a weak two and partner doubles, lebensohl lets you show whether your answer is weak or strong.

• Opening a weak two on a broken suit when vulnerable. Partner raises, the opponents double, and down three costs 800.
• Making a second bid uninvited. Opener has described the hand. Unless partner asks, opener passes, even with 10 points.
• Treating responder's raise as invitational. 2♥ then 3♥ is to play. Bidding on loses the preemptive value and goes down.
• Passing a new suit. A change of suit is forcing one round. Opener must bid again, even with a minimum.
• Opening with an outside four-card major in first or second seat. You may lose a better fit in the other major.

What is a weak two bid in bridge?

It is an opening of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ that shows a six-card suit and about 5 to 10 high-card points. The bid is preemptive and descriptive at once. It takes the one level away from the opponents and tells partner the hand within a few points. 2♣ stays as the strong artificial opening.

How many points do you need for a weak two bid?

About 5 to 10 high-card points with a six-card suit. When vulnerable, most partnerships want 7 to 10 and a strong suit, and in fourth seat a weak two shows a bit more, about 9 to 12.

Can you open a weak two with a five-card suit?

Not in first or second seat in standard methods. In third seat, not vulnerable, some players open a weak two on a strong five-card suit to obstruct the opponents.

Is a new suit forcing after a weak two bid?

Yes, in standard methods a new suit by responder is forcing for one round. Opener raises with a fit and a maximum, or rebids the suit with a minimum.

What does 2NT mean after a weak two bid?

It is an artificial asking bid. Playing the feature ask, opener shows an outside ace or king with a good hand and rebids the suit with a minimum. Playing Ogust, opener shows range and suit quality in steps.

Should I play weak twos in diamonds?

Most Standard American players do. Some partnerships use 2♦ for Flannery or Multi instead, which leaves only weak twos in the majors.