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.