Weak two bids  Stuart McPhee. 25/4/00. Weak two bids are a good example of a popular convention which everyone thinks that they can play but in fact most players abuse. In my view, weak two bids have two functions: to eliminate two rounds of bidding space from the opponents when they have the balance of the points and to define one specific hand sub-type in the constructive bidding of your partnership.

Many players (especially students!!) regard weak two bids as an opportunity to bid on all sorts of hands that would normally require you to pass. Undisciplined use of weak twos can lead to the loss of many imps through bidding poor game contracts, being in the wrong game or making ill-advised sacrifices.

If you play weak two bids, have you discussed any of the following topics with your partner?
1. How does your suit quality vary with position/vulnerability?
2. Should your responses to 2NT vary depending on whether you open a weak two diamonds or a weak two in a major?
3. If you open a weak two, how can you subsequently show a good hand in support for partner?

My suggestions are as follows:
A weak two bid should contain 5-9 points with most of the points in your long suit. You should not be interested in defending.
A weak two bid may be made on a five card suit in 1st and 3rd position only (when non-vulnerable).
A weak two bid should show a good suit (JT9xxx is not a good suit!!)- normally two of the top three honours or HJT (the only exception to this is 3rd hand non-vulnerable, when you can do what you like.)

For example, A classic weak two 2nd in hand vulnerable will be something that your grandmother would bid on such as:

 ªKQJ987 ©5¨QJT9 §86.

Most players these days play that all raises of weak twos are to play and that a new suit is constructive but non-forcing.
What does this sequence mean?
 
NORTH PARTNER SOUTH YOU
  2 Spades Pass 3 Hearts
Pass 4Clubs? Pass

There are two options. You can either play it as natural, non-minimum and second suit or, perhaps more useful, splinter agreeing hearts. Partner might hold something like:

 ªAQJ987 ©QT9¨876 §6.

Finally, how should you respond to partner's 2NT enquiry. There are lots of options varying from blue club responses:

3C - weak hand, poor suit
3D - weak hand, good suit
3H - good hand, poor suit
3S - good hand hand, good suit.

through to responses which show shortages or NT stops. My own preference is to show a shortage when partner bids 2NT if I have opened 2H or 2S but to show NT stops if I have opened 2D, since 3NT is a much more likely contract.