Weak Twos by David Bird

In this quiz, we will discuss when you should open with a weak-two bid. There are two different schools of thought. Some teachers apply strict rules on the quality of the suit: 'You should hold three of the top five honors', 'You should have a 6-card suit, 'You should not have an outside void', etc... In other words, they treat the weak-two as part of constructive bidding.

It is more common, particularly among strong players, to treat the weak-two as an obstructive weapon, aimed at taking bidding space away from the opponents. By weakening the rules, you can open a weak-two much more often, maybe five times as often! You will cause many more problems for the other side.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A Q J 9 6 3
♥ 9 8 2
♦ 5
♣ Q 8 2

Q: 1 - Suppose you are first to speak. What action will you take on this hand?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 2♠. No-one in the world (I like to exaggerate a bit) will complain if you open a weak 2♠ on this hand. The bridge teachers will be happy, so will the strong players who are willing to open on a wide variety of hands.

The usual range of HCP is 5-9. If your clubs were K x x, you would be too strong and would open 1♠ instead.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K 10 7 4 3 2
♥ 7
♦ Q 10 6
♣ 9 7 6

Q: 2 - Neither side is vulnerable. What will you say on this hand?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 2♠. If you have red blood flowing through your veins, you will open 2♠. Do not think 'My hand is very weak and I could go for a big penalty. I would feel happier with a better spade suit'. Think instead how much more difficult it will be for your opponents to bid their hands when they have to leap over a 2♠ hurdle.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 8 4
♥ K Q 7 6 2
♦ J 7 4
♣ J 9 2

Q: 3 - Only the opponents are vulnerable. What are your intentions on this hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	Pass
?

A: 2♥. When there are two passes in front of you and your own hand is not particularly strong, it is tempting to open on values that would not normally justify the bid you intend to make. Here, you can guess that West has a good hand, maybe a very good hand.

Do not think twice about it. Open 2♥. Even if the opponents could take 800 against this, they will not be able to do so. A double from West would be for take-out.

Do not regard opening 2♥ as 'a bit wild'. It is normal bridge. In a match, South at the other table will inconvenience your teammates by opening 2♥. Do not fall behind with a timid pass at your table.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 7 5
♥ A J 9 7 6 2
♦ 2
♣ 10 8

Q: 4 - What will you do on this hand?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 2♥. I'm sure you have heard players say "I don't like to open a weak-two with four cards in the other major." Indeed, you may have heard this advice from a bridge teacher. Well, follow it if you want, but the percentage expert bid is to open 2♥ here.

The fact that you have four spades may mean that the player in the next seat has a good hand, but does not want to double because he does not hold four cards in the other major.

Do not look for excuses not to open with a weak-two! Earn a reputation as a 'difficult person to play against' by opening a weak-two very often!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A K Q J 7 2
♥ 7 5
♦ 9 7 6 2
♣ 10

Q: 5 - What will you open in third seat?

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	Pass
?

A: 3♠. You will make six tricks in your hand if spades are trumps. If any other suit is trumps, you may make only one. A big difference like this tells you to pre-empt. Make life as tricky as possible by opening 3♠.

Remember that a double by West would be for take-out. It is very unlikely that the opponents can double you. Even if they can, it will not necessarily give them a good return on their values.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 6

Your Hand
♠ 5
♥ K 8 4 3
♦ K Q 9 7 5 2
♣ 10 6

Q: 6 - Will you say anything on this hand?

South	West	North	East
?	-	-

A: 2♦. Many players use weak-twos in diamonds as well. Here, again, you should not be deterred because you have a 4-card major on the side. If your partner happens to hold long hearts, the opponents are likely to have a very good fit in spades!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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