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Responses to partner's 2 clubs opening |
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2♦ negative or 2♦ waiting? What is 2NT? How much for a positive response? How good a suit? It's about time I covered this once and for all. |
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First of all, I'll put in my usual plug for Benjamin twos. My preferred system is both a strong 2♣ and 2♦ with responder always relaying (or ‘waiting' – with the next bid up). I have covered Benjamin twos elsewhere so now I'll go into the best scheme for responding to 2♣ if that is your only strong bid. |
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Now as I mentioned a few times in the news-sheets, responder bidding a natural 2NT (or 3NT!) is terrible – it takes up space, has the wrong man as declarer and makes finding minor suit fits very difficult. |
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The solution? 2NT is not natural! And the modern way of thinking is that you should only give a +ve if you have something very positive to say (i.e. a good suit).The ‘modern' scheme opposite a 2♣ opener is: - |
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| 2♦ |
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Waiting. Could be a very good hand but one that does not qualify for one of the positive bids. This 2♦ waiting bid is game forcing because 2♥ is the negative. |
| 2♥ |
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Negative. 5 points or less with no ace. This requirements for a positive vary according to partnership understanding. Typical is this, with say 8+ points in total: - |
| 2♠ |
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A ♠ positive. 5+ card ♠ suit and two honours in the suit. |
| 2NT |
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A ♥ positive. 5+ card ♥ suit and two honours in the suit. |
| 3♣ |
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A ♣ positive. 5+ card ♣ suit and two honours in the suit. |
| 3♦ |
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A ♦ positive. 5+ card ♦ suit and two honours in the suit. |
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The above is fairly common practise in North America, but I am not totally happy with these positive responses and it seems to me that the 2♠ and 2NT responses should be reversed - then it becomes more likely that the strong hand becomes declarer. With a really strong hand you almost certainly want the opening lead to come up to you. You could also extend this treatment by inverting the 3♣ and 3♦ responses so that opener would also become declarer in an eventual ♦ contract.. |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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