Thursday, June 16, 2005 3:03 AM
Weak 2's - Understandings
PITBULLS:
Weak 2’s come up so
often by your side and from the opposition, you should have some well thought out
treatments. Understandings with no interference should be easy. You attach a
meaning to 2NT and a meaning to 3♣ and that is all over. Established
partnerships usually have a toy to ask for Aces which are normally just found
in the trump suit. Tom & I play a jump
to 4♣ as 2 control KCB.
Why 2 controls ? The reason should be obvious . If you had more than two
controls you should have opened at the one level. Anyway these responses throw
in the queen of the trump suit ( notation 1st is control , 2nd
queen of trump suit ) . The 1st step is two pronged either 0-0 or
0-1 , next step is 1-0 , next step is 1-1 and the next 2-0 and the final step
2-1 which is getting pretty close to a one opener.
OK
the next understandings are when the opponents double your weak two. There are two scenarios .
You are a passed hand or you are not. Not being a passed hand the treatment is
pretty standard. The redouble should show cards and not necessarily a fit. A
2NT bid should show a fit ( systemic) and ignoring the double. A new suit
should be a lead director and forcing to 3 of your trump suit. We do not play
rescue bids of weak two’s as our weak 2’s are not suicidal. A raise to 3 or 4
of the trump suit is pre-emptive and do not turn on forcing passes. If partner
shows a strong hand , the weak two is allowed & should participate in forcing pass theory. Very important.
What
if you are a passed hand and they double ? The redouble should take on a different meaning. It should still show “cards” but for
safety reasons at least a doubleton honour
in the trump suit. A new suit is showing where you live but obviously
with the safety net of a mild fit. A direct raise is pre-emptive. BJ vul held
this hand
♠ Kx ♥ Axxxxx ♦ Qxxx ♣ x and passed 1st seat vul. In 3rd
seat , I opened a weak 2♠
with A10987x x K1098x x and they double.
BJ redoubles showing some cards and a spade honour. They bid 3♣ to my right so
I introduce my diamonds. BJ takes a shot based on the diamond fit &
vulnerability and leaps to 4♠
! This produces +620 as the breaks were friendly.
When
they open a weak two you should have some tactical understandings. Lebensohl is
pretty standard. A 2NT bid in the balancing spot is natural if not a passed
hand and unusual for the minors if you are. If partner overcalls a weak two
with 2NT , systems are on. Stayman , 3♠ as minors , transfers are on and a transfer Q bid
into their suit should have a special meaning. Tom & I play that as asking
for the severity of the duplication in their suit. If minimal duplication , you
accept the transfer and bid 3NT
with duplication of value. This helps for minor slam exploration.
If partner doubles and they raise , a double is
responsive. I held void AJxx 1098x QJxxx and
the opponents opened 2♠
and BJ doubled. RHO bid 3♠
so I doubled and the auction went all pass. When the smoke cleared they went
for +1100 nv. BJ for his takeout double only held KQ109x KQxx Kx AK . The smart Alec to my right had no HCP’s
and a doubleton jack of trump. Naughty , naughty.