Phillip Alder Bridge

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

How do you respond to a weak two-bid?

North

	J 8 6 5
	K 9 2
	K Q 4
	K Q J

West

	A
	Q J 10 7
	8 6 5 3
	A 9 4 2

East

	3 2
	8 4 3
	A J 10 9
	10 7 6 5

South

	K Q 10 9 7 4
	A 6 5
	7 2
	8 3

Dealer: South
Vulnerable: Both

South	West	North	East
2	Pass	2NT	Pass
3	Pass	4	All Pass

Opening lead:

     This week, we are looking at pre-emptive opening bids. We have started with the weak two-bid, which traditionally shows a decent six-card suit (one headed by at least two of the top three or three of the top five honors), 5-10 high-card points, and no side four-card major or void.
     How does responder react? Logically! First, he adds his points to partner's. Then he looks at the number of cards he has in the opener's suit — the more the merrier. But sometimes responder will be uncertain about game, wondering if his partner's hand is minimum or maximum. Then, he responds two notrump, which artificially asks for more information. There are several replying schemes that one may employ, but the most common is called "feature." With a minimum, opener rebids three of his suit. But with a maximum, he bids a new suit at the three-level in which he has a feature. This is usually an ace or king, but may be a queen.
     Against four spades, West leads the heart queen. How should South plan the play?
     North, with only 15 high-card points and awful 4-3-3-3 distribution, has a borderline move toward game. South's three-heart rebid promised 8-10 points and a high honor in hearts.
     With three aces missing, South must discard his third-round heart loser on dummy's third club. But if the defender with the club ace is clever and ducks that ace for one round, South must have won the first trick in his hand with the heart ace, keeping dummy's king as a later entry. Then South immediately plays on clubs.