Strong 2 Openings : Bridge Online
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Opening 2NT
• 20-22 HCP
The 2NT opening bid is similar to the 1NT opening only much stronger- 20-22. It’s not forcing. The responder normally chooses the final contract immediately.
This is a perfect 2NT opening. 20 HCP and a balanced hand. It's now up to responder to decide how high to bid and whether to play in a suit contract or notrumps.
Opening 2♦,2♥,2♠
• 5+ card suit, 8 playing tricks (about 20-22 points)
An opening bid of 2♦, 2♥ or 2♠ shows a strong hand 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♦,2♥,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♣
23+ points, game forcing
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.
2♣ promises 23+ and is game forcing. The 2♣ opener does not promise anything in clubs - it does not say anything at all about the shape of the hand.
This is another suitable hand for a 2♣ opening.
Responses to 2♣
2♦ = 0-7 HCP Any shape
2♥/♠ = 8+ unbalanced, 5+ card suit
3♣/♦ = 8+ unbalanced
2NT = 8+ balanced
2♦ is the 'negative' response to a 2♣ opening. It 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.
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