Responding to ACOL two-bids by Paul Bowyer

A: 2NT. With bad hands (and this one is a horror!) make the weakness response of 2NT. DO NOT PASS 2♥. If partner were to rebid 3♥ over 2NT you could Pass that with an easy conscience, having given North a warning that you don't have much of a hand.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠. You have useful support for Spades (remember that North is showing a fine suit, probably of six cards in length) and you have an Ace. A raise to 4♠ would categorically deny an Ace.

3♠ is forcing to game of course and is unlimited. Partner might want to investigate a slam or he might want to content himself with a game.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠. You have no liking for Diamonds but have some useful values and a decent suit to show. This type of bid (a change of suit) usually shows upwards of 8 points and commits the partnership to game in something or other.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. Don't bid your Spades (yet). First tell partner that you have a bad hand by making the weakness response of 2NT. Do not feel tempted to Pass 2♥ - partner may have a second suit to show.

Your result so far:

A: 4♠. You have good support for partner's Spades and also have no Ace. If you had an Ace in your hand somewhere you would bid 3♠ instead of 4♠ and take the auction more slowly. This information may be of use to partner if he is on a slam hunt.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. Despite the fact that you have some useful support for Hearts you are not strong enough to bid 3♥ or 4♥. Best is to make the weakness response of 2NT first and then bid 4♥ on the next round. That should dampen partner's ardour if he is on a slam hunt.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣. Bidding a minor over a major-suit two-bid is rare but here you must show your Clubs. No doubt the hand will be played in Spades (that ♠Q looks to be a vital filler in partner's strong suit) but 3♣ keeps the pot boiling nicely.

Your result so far:

A: 2NT. You are not strong enough to make a positive bid of 2♥ and 3♦ (or 4♦) would be an exaggeration on this hand. Best to show a weak hand first with a negative 2NT and then bid something on the next round.

Your result so far:

A: 4♠. You have useful values and decent Spade support (you don't need four trumps to support an ACOL two-bid). You are denying an Ace with this bid so partner will not be misled. Bidding a poor Diamond suit will not be helpful.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥. this is an astonishing hand to have in response to an ACOL two in Hearts. A slam must be in the offing when you have all of this but you can afford to take it easy. Best is to raise modestly to 3♥ to set the suit and give plenty of room for further bidding. 3♥ is, of course, game-forcing so you needn't worry about the bidding dying young.

Your result so far: