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Bridge Tutorial - Opening Strong 2's
Acol Lesson 19
Responding to Partners Opening 2♣ Bids
If your partner opens 2♣, you can warn partner that you have a weak hand by responding 2♦ which shows 0-7 TP. It is an artificial bid and you don’t promise any diamonds. You’ve still got to keep bidding to game but at least your partner won’t be expecting anything from you.
2♦
2♠
2♥
2♣
3♦
2NT
-2♦ an artificial bid showing 7 or less TP any distribution
-Bidding 2♠;
2♥; 3♣ or
3♦ shows partner 8+ TP and 5 card suit
-Bidding 2NT shows 8 or more HCP with a balanced hand
Partner opens 2♣. What do you respond?
Hand 1.
Opener (N)
♠ A K 4
♥ A Q J 8
♦ K Q J 10
♣ K 4
|
Bidding |
|
North |
East |
South |
West |
2♣ |
P |
2NT |
P |
3NT |
P |
P |
P |
Responder (S)
♠ A 8 4
♥ K 10 6 4
♦ 9 7 6 5
♣ J 4
Comments:
Responder bids 2NT to show their 8+ HCP, Opener only has the bare 23 HCP so signs off in 3NT. It is responders job if they have more than 10 HCP to investigate whether "slam" is on. We will cover slam bidding later
Hand 2.
Opener (N)
♠ A K Q 10
♥ K J 9
♦ A K 8
♣ A 6 4
|
Bidding |
|
North |
East |
South |
West |
2♣ |
P |
2♦ |
P |
2♠ |
P |
4♠ |
P |
Responder (S)
♠ 6 5 4 3
♥ 6 4 3 2
♦ 6 5 3 2
♣ 2
Comments:
Your 2♦ bid says nothing about your diamond suit it is an artificial bid and it tells partner you have 7 or less HCP. Openers 2 ♠ bid is just showing Responder his 4 card suit and responders raise to 4♠ is because the 2♣ bid is a game force
Hand 3.
Opener (N)
♠ A K Q
♥ A J
♦ A K J 10 9 8
♣ A 7
|
Bidding |
|
North |
East |
South |
West |
2♣ |
P |
2♠ |
P |
4♠ |
P |
P |
P |
Responder (S)
♠ J 9 8 7 6
♥ K 8 7
♦ 8
♣ K Q 6 2
Comments:
The 2♠ bid tells opener that responder has 8+ HCP and a 5 card ♠ suit. The opener has 3♠ and so can happily bid 4♠ 's knowing that they have a fit.
Beginner Bridge Lessons - Opening Strong 2 Bids Acol Lesson 19