Opening at the 2 level Acol : Bridge Online
index
Opening 2NT
2NT shows 20-22 HCP and a balanced hand. It is a limit bid and therefore quite specific about its shape and its points.
2NT
• 20-22 HCP
• balanced
This hand is ideal for a 2NT opening.
Having a 5-card minor does not make your hand unbalanced; the best opening is still 2NT.
Responses to 2NT
• 0-3 = pass
• 4+ = bid game
If partner opens 2NT, you only need 4 TP to bid to game. With a balanced hand, bid 3NT.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 4♥ |
With a 6-card major, it will be safer to play in a suit contract. 2NT promises at least two hearts because it is balanced, so you know you have a fit. Bid 4♥.
With a 6-card minor you could bid 5♦ or 5♣ but 3NT is probably the best contract. 9 tricks will be easier than 11.
With 3 TP you haven't got enough to do anything and you should pass. 2NT is not a forcing bid. It is a limit bid and those bids are not forcing.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ |
Now you don't know whether 3NT or 4♥ is the best contract.
| ♠ AK2 | |
| ♥ A982 | |
| ♦ A3 | |
| ♣ AJ84 | |
| ♠ | | ♠ |
| ♥ | | ♥ |
| ♦ | | ♦ |
| ♣ | | ♣ |
| ♠ Q76 | |
| ♥ KJ754 | |
| ♦ 854 | |
| ♣ 32 | |
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ | P |
| | 4♥ |
This is similar to the problem you had over 1NT. Bidding 3♥ shows exactly five hearts and asks me to bid 4♥ with 3 or 4 hearts.
| ♠ AK2 | |
| ♥ A9 | |
| ♦ KQ32 | |
| ♣ AJ84 | |
| ♠ | | ♠ |
| ♥ | | ♥ |
| ♦ | | ♦ |
| ♣ | | ♣ |
| ♠ Q76 | |
| ♥ KJ754 | |
| ♦ 854 | |
| ♣ 32 | |
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2NT | P | 3♥ | P |
| | 3NT |
Partner will bid 3NT with only 2 hearts.
This time you have enough for slam. Briefly, a small slam (12 tricks) needs about 33 TP and a grand slam (13 tricks) needs 37 TP. You should bid 6♥ here.
Opening 2♦, 2♥, 2♠
Opening 2♦, 2♥, 2♠
•20-22
•5+ card suit
An opening bid of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ shows 20-22 hcp and a 5 or 6-card suit. It shows a hand slightly less than a game force but which can make game opposite many hands which would pass an opening 1-level bid.
This would be a suitable hand for a 2♥ opening.
A 5-card minor is good for notrumps. Remember that you can have a 5-card minor in a balanced hand. This time you should open 2NT.
With two 5-card suits and 20 HCP you should open the higher ranking suit just as you would at the 1-level. This is a perfect hand to open 2♥.
Responding to 2♦/♥/♠ openings
• 0-3 pass
• 4+ raise with 3+ trumps
• 4+ balanced bid notrumps
If your partner opens 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ you don't have to respond, but even with 4 or 5 HCP you have enough for game.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2♠ | P | 2NT |
If you make a response, this is forcing to game. We don't have a fit so bid 2NT.
This time you can support my spades because I am promising a 5-card suit. My 5 spades plus the 3 in your hand gives us a fit.
This time you have 8 points and a 5-card suit of your own to bid. Start looking for the best contract by bidding 2♠. This is forcing to game.
Opening 2♣
Opening 2♣
•23+ any shape, forcing to game
2♣ opening is an artificial bid. It shows 23+ HCP and is forcing to game. Partner must keep bidding until game is reached even with no points at all.
This hand is suitable for an opening 2♣.
Another 2♣ opener.
Responses to 2♣
2♦ = 0-7 HCP Any shape
2♥/♠ = 8+ unbalanced, 5+ card suit
3♣/♦ = 8+ unbalanced
2NT = 8+ balanced
A 2♦ to a 2♣ opening shows up to 7 HCP and can be any shape. It simply says that the hand is not suitable for slam. You can show your suit on the second round.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2♣ | P | 2♦ | P |
| | 2♥ | P | 2♠ |
Even though you have a 6-card suit, you must bid 2♦ first to limit your hand. You can show your long suit on the next round.
Now that your hand is stronger, you can bid your suit immediately. There is no need to jump as the auction is forcing to game at least.
| | North | East | South | West |
| | 2♣ | P | 2NT |
This denies any 5-card suit. It promises 8+ HCP and a balanced hand.
[admin e a]
