In this Lesson we will see how the auction can develop following a pre-emptive opening. We will look at the constructive bidding by the opening side, and also at various auctions by the other side.

The original standard for weak-two bids was 6-10 HCP. Bridge teachers at that time (and sometimes even more recently) advocated that the opener should have 'two of the three top honors in the suit, or four of the top five honors'). In other words, they concentrated entirely on the constructive aspect of the weak-two.

You will see from the top-level deals in this lesson that good players and experts take a completely different approach. They view the weak-two as a destructive bid - one that will remove bidding space from the opponents and even shut them out of the auction when they hold good values. They want to open weak-twos AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE! Suppose you pick up some pleasant 18-count that you are looking forward to describing. Would you prefer that the RHO passed or opened 2♠?

It's much the same with three-bids. Of course, you must not make wild three-bids when vulnerable. The cost would then exceed the benefit. But do not follow teachers' rules about needing such and
such honors in your hand. The tighter your restrictions, the less frequently you will be able to cause problems for your opponents.

The main defense used against weak twos and three nowadays is the take-out double. That does not waste any of the space left to you by the pre-emptor..