The weak two opening
     
 
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The Weak Two

 
  This is a 6 card suit and usually 6-10 points. Openings of 2 and 2 are commonly played as weak just about everywhere. The weak 2 is the most popular choice in USA for those who do not play Flannery. There's nothing wrong with having a weak 2 opener, but does it really have much of a pre-emptive effect? I believe that there is a much better use for the bid. So here I'll concentrate on 2/♠ although everything is equally valid for a weak 2.  
     
 
2 This is a classic 2 opener. It's nice to have most of your points in your suit, and intermediates in the suit are also important.
KQJ1086
Q873  
32  
     
KJ73 But 2 would be a poor opening with hand. It is not recommended to open a weak two when you have a 4 card major as you may miss a 4-4 or better fit with partner.
KJ10862
2
32  
     
1082

This is a fine 2 opener. It's one point shy of the minimum but the solidity of the suit is easily enough compensation.

QJ10876
Q3  
32  
     
K102 This hand, however, is a little too good and I would open 1 or else pass.
KJ10876 It's probably a matter of style, but I don't like to have a gap betwen my 1/ opening and my 2/opening. So I'll never pass and would open 1.
93
A2 In 3rd seat 2 would be acceptable as it's opposite a passed partner.
     
104 This hand is an example from the club – it's owner opened 2.
KJ109874

This is a poor bid with 7 's and a 3 opener is correct (pre-empt to the limit).

Q5  
103  
     
   

Responses to a weak two opening

 
  When partner opens a weak two (say 6-9 points and a 6 card suit) we have options.  
     
  A raise to the 3-level is pre-emptive, usually with 3 card support. This is the only weak bid (RONF – Raise Only Non-Forcing).  
     
  A raise to the 4-level may be anything. I could be a pretty strong hand or it could be a very weak hand with 4 card trump support. Only the bidder knows and he is in charge if the opponents bid anything.  
     
  A new suit is natural and forcing.  
     
  That leaves 2NT. In America it is common that 2NT asks for a feature, but I prefer the Ogust convention. Playing Ogust, 2NT is artificial and asks opener to specify how good his weak two is. So in reply to 2NT we have: -  
     
 
3 min points, poor suit
3 min points, good suit
3 max points, poor suit
3 max points, good suit
3NT AKQxxx in suit
   
Note:

3NT as AKQxxx is rather rare as we have max 10 pts, but if we do have this holding, partner needs to know.

 
 
     
 
Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 Hand 4 Hand 5
                   
AJ8653 642 AJ9542 J8 1064
54 KQJ862 A3 AKJ653 AKQ653
62 76 762 76 76
953 J5 J9 J95 72
 
     
  With these five hands, after our weak 2/♠ opening partner bid 2NT and we rebid: -  
     
 
Hand 1 3 min points, poor suit
Hand 2 3 min points, good suit
Hand 3 3 max points, poor suit
Hand 4 3 max points, good suit
Hand 5 3NT AKQxxx in suit
 
     
  Once responder has used Ogust, he may have enough information to either sign off in a partscore, 3NT or 4 of the major. Other bids, which are slam probes, are common to other sequences (cue bids, RKCB etc.) and are specified elsewhere.  
     
     
 
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