2C
Last month, we discussed our general system approach and
the parameters for a
strong 2 opening. This month, we
explore the follow-ups after the 2
opening.
I frequently get asked about this. I give my usual answer: "There
are many methods--all with good and bad points. Just pick one and live with it. It is
not too important which method--as long as your partner knows it and is playing the same
way!"
Some people use control (or
"step") responses. This is acceptable, but I've never
been a big fan. Others use 2
as "negative." This strikes me as a poor approach. I prefer to use 2 as "waiting." It could
be a zero-count, but it also could be quite a good hand. More on this in a moment. Popular
these days is to use 2 as negative
(0-3) and 2 as an
artificial positive game-force.
Let's examine the most common (by far) method:
2-2 Waiting
Using 2-2 waiting, you will find that on
almost all hands the response is 2. When would you
not respond 2? With a good hand
and a good 5+
card suit, you can respond in the suit. What is "good?" At least 8 HCP and
usually 2 of the top 4 honors. I would not respond in a suit of Axxxx or
K10xxx. I would not make a positive response with only 6 HCP even if the suit were
good enough. If I don't have a good suit
and 8+ HCP, I respond 2--waiting. (I would never respond
2NT--risking playing notrump from the wrong side).
So, 2
shows "any hand that lacks 8+ HCP and a good 5+ card suit." It can be a balanced
14-count! It can be a 0-count.
Examples of 2 responses to 2 (using 2 as "waiting:)
 AQ42
KQ3
J32 543 : BID 2
(no 5-card suit)
A5432
654
7642 3 : BID 2
(no good 5-card suit and no 8 HCP)
5432
432
432 432 : BID 2
(no person should ever hold this hand!)
Examples of other responses to 2:
AQJ87
K432
2 542 : BID 2
4
KJ10872
K1087 43 : BID 2 (It's only 7 HCP, but what the heck.)
543
A2 65 KQ9876 : BID 3
------------
OPENER'S REBID
With a balanced hand, this is easy. 2-2-2NT
shows 22-24 balanced (assuming a 2NT opener would have 20-21). With 25-27, rebid
3NT. (After these notrump rebids, Stayman and transfers are on.)
With an unbalanced hand, opener names his long suit. This is FORCING,
but NOT GAME FORCING.
It is important to study that last sentence.
A 2 opener is
not a game force. For one, 2-2-2NT can end the auction. Also, 2-2-ANY SUIT ... will usually lead to game, but not
100% of the time. More on this later.
If the auction begins 2--NOT 2
(in other words, any response other than 2), then all bids are natural and at least game must be
reached.
If the auction begins 2-2--
and opener names a suit, what happens next?
RESPONDER'S REBID
If responder's first bid was something other than 2, then all bidding is natural. The
partnership must reach at least a game.
If responder's first bid was 2, he can pass a 2NT rebid by opener. What if opener bids
a suit?
2-2
2:
After opener bids a suit, the most popular approach is to use
"cheaper minor second negative." The terminology is a little dated since there
was never a "first" negative. Anyway, here are the bids we are discussing:
2-2
2-3
2-2
2-3
2-2
3-3
2-2
3-3
In each case, responder has bid the cheaper minor (but note the
exception is the use of 3 over 3 so as to not zoom past 3NT).
When responder bids the cheaper minor he is typically showing a very
bad hand. He is saying: "Partner, if you repeat your suit, you might not hear from me
again--we can stop short of game."
So, any of these auctions could occur:
2-2
2-3
3-Pass
2-2
2-3
3-Pass
2-2
3-3
4-Pass
2-2
3-3
4-Pass
None of this is very likely. Usually when opener rebids something
other than 2NT, game is reached. After the "double negative," if
opener bids a new suit, that is forcing.
What if responder doesn't use a double negative?
Fast Arrival
Let's say the auction begins:
2-2
2-2
Once responder eschews a double negative, all bids are natural and
game-forcing.
What if responder raises the opener:
2-2
2-3
or
2-2
2-4
Both of these are game-forcing (especially since one of the bids is
game!).
But, which shows more?
Have you heard of "fast arrival?" This principle says:
"Once you are forced to game, jumping to the game is actually weaker." The
"fast arrival" into game (4) says: "Partner, I am dead minimum, interested only
in game. If you bid again, do so because you have extras." Accordingly, the slower
bid of raising to 3 shows extras and
slam interest. The logic is that with slam interest you should leave the most room for
exploration.
Summary
Know what you play after a 2
opener. I recommend 2
waiting. Remember that 2
is not 100% forcing to game. The approach listed here is not complete,
but more than sufficient for any players not competing in National
Championships. If you want to load up your brain with tons of additional
agreements, be my guest, but I believe that "less is more."
Next month, we move on to opening 1-suit bids with my
(un)conventional thoughts.
For descriptions of most conventions mentioned in this article, see the ACBL
page on Commonly
Used Conventions.
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