The Multi 2
     
 
  this page was last updated: 27-May-2007
 
     
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The Multi Two Diamonds Convention

 
  I was asked if I could write something about the multi 2 opening, so here goes: -  
     
  There are many different variations of the multi but here is one pretty good variation:  
     
 
2 = either (1) A weak (6 card) or hand, say 6-9 points.
    or (2) A strong hand with a good long minor suit
    or (3) A big balanced NoTrump hand.
 
     
  Now responder does not know what type of hand his partner has and should assume it is type (1). So he normally responds 2 which opener will pass or correct to 2 with a weak hand. Opener's response to the 2 relay are: - .  
     
 
pass = weak 's, either lower or upper point range.
2 = weak 's, either lower or upper point range.
2NT = strong NoTrump hand, see below for point range (I suggest 22-24).
3 = strong hand with a good long suit.
3 = strong hand with a good long suit.
 
     
  One exception to responder's usual 2 relay is when responder has a hand with decent 's such that he can bid to 3 (or more) if partner has a weak hand but not opposite a weak hand. With such a hand responder bids 2 which opener will either pass or correct to 3 holding weak 's (or 4 with a max).  
     
  If responder has game ambitions opposite a presumed weak major hand, he can enquire about opener's hand type by bidding 2NT. Typical responses are: -  
     
 
3 = weak 's, upper point range (8-9)
3 = weak 's, upper point range (8-9)
3 = weak 's, lower point range (6-7)
3 = weak 's, lower point range (6-7)
3NT = strong NoTrump hand, see below for point range (I suggest 22-24).
4♣ = strong hand with a good long ♣ suit
4 = strong hand with a good long suit
 
     
  Note that it's OK to go past 3NT with the strong / type hands as partner is also strong and slam may be there. My personal preference after a 4/ response is that the next suit up (i.e. 4 over 4 and 4 over 4 ) is RKCB (Kickback) as 4NT is not suitable to ask for aces/keycards with a minor suit as trumps.  
  Note that the double should have an upper limit of about 18-19 points. Now it would be nice to defend 1NT doubled when you have a huge hand but partner is very likely to have less than 5 points and will pull it!  
     
     
 
What's the point range for 2 - 2 - 2NT?

It's up to you, but here's my suggestion: -

 
     
 
Your opening 2NT is 20-21
2 - 2 - 2NT is 22-24
2 - 2 - 2NT is 25+
 
     
  The big advantage of this scheme is that you never need to open or rebid 3NT, so Stayman and transfers are always on. Another big advantage is that a 2 opening is always absolutely game forcing.  
     
     
  Raising the pre-empt  
     
 
Hand A Hand B Hand C
           
KJ76 7 KJ6
7 KJ76 QJ6
J7652 J7652 J7652
965 965 65
           
 
 

Here we see one of the major disadvantages of the Multi two diamonds – opener is usually weak with a major, but you don't know which one. With Hands A or B, if playing a traditional weak two, you would pass if partner opens with two of your singleton but raise to 4/ if he opens with two of your 4-carder. But if partner opens a Multi then you are in the dark. With Hand A you simply respond 2 and with Hand B you respond 2 - showing a hand willing to compete if partner has a weak hand. Unfortunately this has little pre-emptive effect and if partner does indeed have a weak hand then LHO can come in cheaply or show his 's with a double.

 
     
  With this Hand C you can do something. If partner opens 2, then bid 3 - this shows a pre-emptive raise in either major and is pass or correct. Unfortunately it also tells the opponents an awful lot about your hand.  
     
  Opener's rebid after 2 - 2  
 
       
pass = weak 's, either lower or upper point range.  
2NT = strong NoTrump hand, see above for point range (I suggest 22-24).  
3 = strong hand with a good long suit.  
3 = strong hand with a good long suit.  
3 = weak 's, either lower or upper point range.  
 
     
     
 
How strong a hand for 2 - 2 - 3/?
  It's up to you. I recommend something like: -
 
 
65 or 5  
A   A6 i.e. about 9 playing tricks
AKQ9854   KQJ  
A65   KQJ9874  
 
     
     
  So what is an opening 2/ bid?  
     
  Again, it's up to you. You can play them as strong but one popular treatment in Holland is weak (say 6-9) with 5 cards in the major and 4 cards in an unspecified minor, the Muiderberg Convention.  
     
     
  So no weak 2 ?  
     
  If you play 2 as the multi then obviously you have lost the 2 as a weak hand – no great loss in my opinion. But the Dutch have actually come up with a solution!! Some (mainly Dutch) players play that an opening 2 bid is either very strong or else is a weak 2 opening. This means that when partner opens 2 you have to bid 2 unless you have a hand good enough to press on over a weak two in 's. We'll leave it there!  
     
     
  Other variations of the Multi  
     
  Many players include 4441 type distributions in their multi 2D, and this is a very good idea. Possibly the best solution for what point range is required will be given later when I write up more on accurate bidding methods.  
  Expect it in 2007.  
     
     
  Interference (double, overcall)  
     
  If you want to know what to do when the opponents intrude, refer to 'When your Multi 2 is interfered with'.  
  And you may also want to check up on the defense to the Multi 2.  
 
   
For more extensive information about the Multi two diamonds opening and how to defend against it, get the new book "The Mysterious Multi: How to Play it, How to Play Aginst it" by Mark Horton, available from Feb 2010.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk  
 
 
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