Strong Two-Bids -- For very strong, unbalanced hands (21+ pts.)

Here are guidelines for opening, responding and rebidding if your system uses old-fashioned Strong Two-bids.  Note that many pairs now use the more popular Weak Two-bids where 2D, 2H and 2S show hands with 5-10 pts. and a good 6-card suit. If you play Weak Two-bids, an opening of 2C is an artificial bid showing a strong two in an unnamed suit.

Guidelines for Opening a Strong Two

To open a Strong Two (2C, 2D, 2H, 2S), you should have:

• An unbalanced hand of 21+ points. You may open with fewer points if your suit is long and strong and your hand meets the other requirements.

• A good, 5+-card suit (preferably a 6-card suit, especially if it's a minor).

• Good quick tricks and controls in the other suits (aces, kings or shortness).

• Playing strength to take at least 8 1/2 to 9 tricks if your suit is a major; 9 1/2 to 10 tricks if your suit is a minor.

If you have a strong, balanced hand, choose a notrump opening bid:

• Open 2NT with 20-22 points. (If you play an opening 1NT is 16-18, use 21-23 for your 2NT opening.)

• Open 3NT with 25+ points.

Evaluating your hand

AKQ1083  Void  KQJ10  A63

Open 2S. This is only 19 pts., but you expect to take 10 tricks if partner has nothing.

A  KJ  KQJ10872  AK3

Open 2D. You have 9 sure playing tricks, and good chances for more. 3NT is a possible final contract.

5  AKJ104  KQJ102  AK

Open 2H. You plan to bid 3D at your next turn. If you have two long suits of equal length, always start with the higher-ranking suit.

AQ  KJ  AQJ103  K953

Open 2NT. You could open 2D, but you are relatively balanced, and the most likely final contract is 3NT. The notrump opening gives partner more exact information about your point-count.

QJ  AQ8542  KQJ   AQ

Open 1H. This is 21 pts., but it's not right for 2NT and the values are too "soft" (and your suit too weak) for a strong 2H opening. If partner doesn't have enough to respond to a 1-bid, you probably can't make a game contract.

Responding to Partner's Strong Two-bid

If you DON'T have a trump fit (you have 2 or fewer cards in partner's suit):

• With 0-6 pts. and no aces or kings -- bid 2NT. This is an artificial negative bid.

• With 7+ pts. and a good suit of your own (a 5-card or longer suit with good honor strength) -- bid your suit at the cheapest level possible.

• With 8-10 points and a balanced hand -- bid 3NT.

If you DO have a trump fit (you have 3-card support or better for partner's suit):

• With 0-4 pts. and no aces or kings -- bid 2NT.

• With 5+ pts. or any hand with an ace or king -- raise partner's suit.

Opener's Rebid

1. Rebid your suit if it is 6 cards or longer.

2. Bid your second suit (4-cards or longer).

3. Raise partner's suit response (if you have 3+-card support).

4. Bid notrump to deny a fit for partner's suit and show stoppers in the unbid suits.