Originally, Charles Goren looked at a special class of hands holding seven cards in one suit, but lacking enough high card points (HCP) to open. Goren saw that this length was often wasted as discards. He also recognized that, as a trump suit, this length could be powerful in play. Since Goren used the entire two-level to indicate strong hands, he devised the pre-emptive three-level bid to show solid length in one suit even when lacking enough HCPs to open.
This fit in well since the entire two-level opening bids were reserved for very strong hands holding 22-plus HCP. But, modern-day bridge gurus saw that these strong hands came along so infrequently that they condensed these strong two-level bids into the strong two-club convention (covered previously), leaving bidding space for a new category of bids called “Weak 2-Bids.”
When you hold six or seven cards in one suit, but only five to 11 HCP (not enough to open), you now have new options. With seven cards, you can open with a pre-emptive three-level opening bid. And, with only six cards in a suit, you can also open with a weak two-level opening bid.
The requirements for a weak two-bid are: holding six cards in your suit headed by at least the king-jack with five to 11 HCP non-vulnerable (or eight to 11 HCP when vulnerable); and no outside aces (although I sometimes make a weak two-bid even while holding an outside ace). The same requirements hold true for the pre-emptive three-bid when holding seven cards in your suit.
There is one more proviso for using these bids – they must be an absolutely clear and “out of the ordinary” bids. For example, if you are the dealer, it is obvious that your opening two-heart bid is weak. However, what if your right hand opponent opens the bidding with one spade? Now, your two-heart bid is no longer obvious; rather it would be taken as a “standard” overcall, and would introduce confusion into the bidding – the unfortunate alternative is to pass.
There are several reasons why weak two-bids have become so successful. Primarily, they mess up communications between the opponents, but, also, sometimes you can hit pay-dirt when partner supports your suit. You will be surprised how often you will actually make your contract. And, even when opponents DO get the contract, at least partner has a good idea of what to lead … or avoid.
True, sometimes you will be defeated in your weak two-bid or pre-emptive three-bid. But consider which is better: Going down two tricks, giving your opponents 100 points or allowing opponents to easily get to game and win 420 points? The choice is yours.
Thus far, we have been covering bidding situations. But how many times have you completed play, only to realize you might have taken an extra trick or two? This will be the subject of my next column.
Good luck and good bridge. See you next time.
For entry level instruction or formal play, contact Al at al********@ya***.com or (408) 779-7122.
Are you interested in learning more about bridge? Visit www.SouthCountyBridge.com for information on conventions and classes, including my course entitled “Play of the Hand in the 21st Century” now in progress at the Morgan Hill Library. For entry level instruction or formal play (in a relaxed atmosphere), contact Yours Truly at al********@ya***.com or (408) 779-7122. For beginning and intemediate level, conatct Linda King at lr****@hu****.net or (831) 801-9257.
