Balancing after a weak two opening by Linda J Green

When the opponents open a weak two, we treat it as a one -level bid. A double would show shortage in the opener's suit , tolerance for three unbid suits and an opening hand. To overcall a suit at the two-level, you require either a strong 5-card suit 12-16 HCP or a reasonable 6-card suit with 11-15 HCP.A three- level overcall shows a strong 6-card suit with opening values. A preempt over a weak two or a preempt does not exist as all bids guarantee values and good suits.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 7 6 5
♥ 3 2
♦ A Q 5
♣ Q 8 7 6

Q: 1 - What would you do after a weak two opening on your right?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: Double. If there was a one-level opening we would double , so we treat this the same way showing shortage in the opener's suit, tolerance for the unbid suits and an opening hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q 7
♥ K J 6
♦ A J 9 7
♣ Q 5 2

Q: 2 - What would you do when the RHO opens a weak two in hearts?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: 2 No Trump. If there was a 1 heart opening bid we would overcall 1 No Trump , therefore an overcall shows a stopper in the opening suit and 15-18 HCP.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 8 7 6 5
♥ A 6 4
♦ 6 5
♣ A 8 2

Q: 3 - What would you do when the RHO opens a weak two in hearts?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: Pass. The spade suit has no quality and not enough intermediate cards. One requires a good suit with at least 2 honors and "stuffing" 10's and 9' s. e.g. KJ1065 or K109432

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 6
♥ 9 7
♦ A K Q 8 5 4 3
♣ A 4

Q: 4 - What would you bid with this hand after RHO opens a weak two hearts?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: 3♥. This is a wonderful bridge tip for you! The cue-bid of their suit at the 3-level asks for a stopper to bid 3 NT. Over a major suit opening at the two-level the cue-bid shows a solid minor, presumably with stoppers in the other suits, having 8 or 9 tricks in the hand . If partner does not have a stopper, bid 4 clubs and partner will correct to the long minor suit or pass if it is clubs.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 7
♥ 4 3
♦ A Q J 8 5
♣ A Q 10 9 8

Q: 5 - What do you bid when RHO opens a weak two spades?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
?

A: 3♦. With most minor two-suiters, we bid naturally and hope to bid the club suit later. Should you hold an exceptionally good two-suiter minors e.g. void-5- KQ8763-AK9876- one can bid 4NT - asks partner to bid the best minor. Some use the cue-bid at the 4-level 4♠ showing the same strong two-suiter minors. That is a partnership agreement.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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