Test your knowledge
Weak 2 defence
- Question 1
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 13-HCP 5-loser hand
4
K Q 10 5 2
Q 8 4
A Q 5 4
What should should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 1
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 13-HCP 5-loser hand
Answer 4 K Q 10 5 2 Q 8 4 A Q 5 4
What should should you bid ?
1 ). pass
You can't double, because that would be taken as a double for take out, unless you have agreed otherwise with your partner beforehand. Instead you must pass. If you double your partner will think you asking him to choose his best suit from anything other than hearts, and to ‘take you out'. Worst of all, he will most likely jump to 4 Spades, as he's probably got plenty and thinks you have too. For now, you'll have to forget the fact that you have a very strong hand, with only 5-losers. You might get a chance to bid them later, and you can double on the next round of bidding if you do get a chance.
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- Question 2
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 11-HCP 7-loser hand
A J 8 3 3 J 6 5 2 K Q 6 3
What should should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 2
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 11-HCP 7-loser hand
Answer A J 8 3 3 J 6 5 2 K Q 6 3
What should should you bid ?
2 . double
Your 4441 distribution is perfect, and in this context worth a guaranteed useful singleton. So you've got an opening hand, 7-losers. Just enough to double for takeout into one of your suits.
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- Question 3
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Spades, a weak 2 bid, and it's you to bid next with this 12-HCP 6-loser hand
7 A K 10 6 5 4 K 7 2 Q 5 4
What should should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 3
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Spades, a weak 2 bid, and it's you to bid next with this 12-HCP 6-loser hand
Answer 7 A K 10 6 5 4 K 7 2 Q 5 4
What should should you bid ?
7 . 3 Hearts
Tricky one. You could double as you have opening strength and 3 suits. Or you could overcall your long suit. Basically, the latter is more descriptive, and it's a Major. 7 losers is enough to bid 3 Hearts after a weak two, and you have 6. Others might say that you need 12HCP. Anyway, you have that too, and you satisfy all the criteria, including having a 6-card suit.
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- Question 4
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 8-HCP 7-loser hand
A Q 9 8 7 5 7 Q 6 4 8 6 2
What should should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 4
(of 14 on this page)
Dealer has opened 2 Hearts, a weak 2 bid (6-10 HCP, 6-card suit etc), and it's you to bid next with this 8-HCP 7-loser hand
Answer A Q 9 8 7 5 7 Q 6 4 8 6 2
What should should you bid ?
3 . 2 Spades
You are not very strong, but with a 6-card suit you have enough to go for a bid at the two level. After all, your opponent did just that with his opening bid. 6HCP is the minium promised. You also have 7 losers, which is a bonus.
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- Question 5
(of 14 on this page)
Look at the deal on the table. You are South in the passout seat. West dealt and opened 2 Hearts, a weak two. Your partner at North passed, as did RHO. This is your 8-loser 8-HCP hand
K 10 5 4 8 A J 5 4 J 7 6 2
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 5
(of 14 on this page)
Look at the deal on the table. You are South in the passout seat. West dealt and opened 2 Hearts, a weak two. Your partner at North passed, as did RHO. This is your 8-loser 8-HCP hand
Answer K 10 5 4 8 A J 5 4 J 7 6 2
What should you bid ?
2 . double
You're South, with only nine points and probably don't feel able to bid after the enemy opening of 2. However, because you're in the 4th seat, the last caller, you should be aggressive. 'Put a king' in your hand and think again. With '12' points and a singleton you have the right shape and strength for a double for take out. North, who couldn't bid first round despite his 13HCP, responds in Spades to South's double, being careful not to overbid, knowing that his partner may have stretched in order to bid (‘borrowed a king'). Hence the jump invitation response of 3, no more.
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- Question 6
(of 14 on this page)
Look at the deal on the table. You are North this time. West dealt and opened 2 Hearts, a weak two. You and East both passed. Your partner at South bid "protective" doubled for takeout. South has exactly the same hand as shown on the table. Your hand again has 13-HCP, but this time it is slightly different from the hand for Quiz no. B 0153 question 5. Here it is:
A Q J 6 K J 7 6 3 Q 6 10 5
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. 2 Spades
3. 2 NT
4. 3 Clubs
5. 3 Diamonds
6. 3 Hearts
7. 3 Spades
8. 3 NT
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- Question 6
(of 14 on this page)
Look at the deal on the table. You are North this time. West dealt and opened 2 Hearts, a weak two. You and East both passed. Your partner at South bid "protective" doubled for takeout. South has exactly the same hand as shown on the table. Your hand again has 13-HCP, but this time it is slightly different from the hand for Quiz no. B 0153 question 5. Here it is:
Answer A Q J 6 K J 7 6 3 Q 6 10 5
What should you bid ?
1 . pass
You have a hand that can defend against 2♥, because you hold very good trumps. You should pass partner's double, converting it to a penalty double. (North must not double on the first round, as that would have been interpreted as a take-out double, with disastrous consequences).
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- Question 7
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Spades. You partner overcalled 2NT. Here's your wonderful 17-HCP 6-loser hand.
K Q 4 A 6 2 K Q J 8 6 Q 6
But first, what does your partner's bid mean ?1. 15-18 points, balanced
2. Unusual 2NT, promising 5-cards in both the minors and 8-15 HCP
3. 16-19HCP, balanced-ish, with a stopper in Spades
4. 20-22HCP balanced
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- Question 7
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Spades. You partner overcalled 2NT. Here's your wonderful 17-HCP 6-loser hand.
Answer K Q 4 A 6 2 K Q J 8 6 Q 6
But first, what does your partner's bid mean ?
3 . 16-19HCP, balanced-ish, with a stopper in Spades
Normally a 2NT opening bid means 20-22HCP. But when overcalling a weak 2, we have more information. First we know which is the enemy's best suit, so that provided we can stop it, we can bid with less strength. Secondly, the enemy has admitted to being weak, having average HCP at the very best (6-10HCP). And of course, in these circumstances they are trying to steal our contract so we should be aggressive.
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- Question 8
(of 14 on this page)
Your RHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Hearts. You have this 6-loser 17-HCP hand with a very strong diamond suit.
K Q 4 A 6 2 K Q J 8 6 Q 6
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. double
3. 2 Spades
4. 2 NT
5. 3 Clubs
6. 3 Diamonds
7. 3 Hearts
8. 3 Spades
9. 3 NT
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- Question 8
(of 14 on this page)
Your RHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Hearts. You have this 6-loser 17-HCP hand with a very strong diamond suit.
Answer K Q 4 A 6 2 K Q J 8 6 Q 6
What should you bid ?
4 . 2 NT
Although you have only one stop in opponents suit, bid 2NT. It's best because it's more descriptive than 3 diamonds
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- Question 9
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Hearts. Your partner overcalled 2NT (promising 16-19 HCP, stopper in Spades, 'balanced-ish' meaning could have two doubletons). You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
A 9 6 2 8 6 3 K J 8 5 2 8
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. 3 Clubs
3. 3 Diamonds
4. 3 Hearts
5. 3 Spades
6. 3 NT
7. 4 Clubs
8. 4 Diamonds
9. 4 Hearts
10. 4 Spades
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- Question 9
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened with a weak two, bidding two Hearts. Your partner overcalled 2NT (promising 16-19 HCP, stopper in Spades, 'balanced-ish' meaning could have two doubletons). You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
Answer A 9 6 2 8 6 3 K J 8 5 2 8
What should you bid ?
2 . 3 Clubs
Clubs !! Yes, good old Stayman. With your singleton in clubs you might be better off in Spades, so try to find a fit.
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- Question 10
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened 2 Hearts and your partner doubled. RHO passed. You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
A J 6 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6 2 5
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. 2 Spades
3. 2 NT
4. 3 Clubs
5. 3 Diamonds
6. 3 Hearts
7. 3 Spades
8. 3 NT
9. 4 Clubs
10. 4 Diamonds
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- Question 10
(of 14 on this page)
Your LHO opened 2 Hearts and your partner doubled. RHO passed. You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
Answer A J 6 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6 2 5
What should you bid ?
7 . 3 Spades
You have 8HCP and a singleton, i.e. 11 points and 8 losers. Not enough for game on your own, but enough to jump to 3, to show your 8-loser hand. Don't bid diamonds - there's less prospect of a game in a minor, and NT is clearly out.
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- Question 11
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence ?: 2♥ – Dbl – Pass. You have this 7HCP 9-loser hand
A 6 4 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6
6 51. pass
2. 2 Spades
3. 2 NT
4. 3 Clubs
5. 3 Diamonds
6. 3 Hearts
7. 3 Spades
8. 3 NT
9. 4 Clubs
10. 4 Diamonds
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- Question 11
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence ?: 2♥ – Dbl – Pass. You have this 7HCP 9-loser hand
Answer A 6 4 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6
6 5
2 . 2 Spades
You have only 8HCP, and 9 losers. So make a minimum response and bid 2
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- Question 12
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence: 2♥ – Pass – Pass – Dbl - Pass ? You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
A J 6 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6 2 5
What should you bid ?1. pass
2. 2 Spades
3. 2 NT
4. 3 Clubs
5. 3 Diamonds
6. 3 Hearts
7. 3 Spades
8. 3 NT
9. 4 Clubs
10. 4 Diamonds
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- Question 12
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence: 2♥ – Pass – Pass – Dbl - Pass ? You have this 8HCP 8-loser hand
Answer A J 6 2 8 4 3 Q J 10 6 2 5
What should you bid ?
2 . 2 Spades
Your partner bid in the 4th seat, so might have ‘borrowed' 3 points, so pay it back' as you evaluate your hand. You should bid only 2. If your partner then bids 3, raise to game.
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- Question 13
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence: 2♠ – Dbl – Pass ? You have this 15HCP 7-loser hand
A J 6 K J 7 K Q J 7 2
9 51. pass
2. 2 Spades
3. 2 NT
4. 3 Clubs
5. 3 Diamonds
6. 3 Hearts
7. 3 Spades
8. 3 NT
9. 4 Clubs
10. 4 Diamonds
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- Question 13
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence: 2♠ – Dbl – Pass ? You have this 15HCP 7-loser hand
Answer A J 6 K J 7 K Q J 7 2
9 5
8 . 3 NT
You have 14 HCP and a spade stop. Your partner has 12+ HCP and support in all other suits. Because you have the ace, you will be able to get the lead and keep it: the Weak-Two bidder will hold very few high cards outside his spade suit. Bid 3NT.
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- Question 14
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence : 2♠ – Dbl – Pass ? You have this 11HCP 7-loser hand
A 6 4 2 A 8 4 3 Q J 4 2
51. pass
2. 3 Clubs
3. 3 Diamonds
4. 3 Hearts
5. 3 Spades
6. 3 NT
7. 4 Clubs
8. 4 Diamonds
9. 4 Hearts
10. 4 Spades
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- Question 14
(of 14 on this page)
What should you bid after this sequence : 2♠ – Dbl – Pass ? You have this 11HCP 7-loser hand
Answer A 6 4 2 A 8 4 3 Q J 4 2
5
9 . 4 Hearts
You have 11 HCP and a singleton, which gives you enough for game, given partner must have 12+ HCP. However, don't pass, your Spades are not good enough for a penalty double. Your hands should fit, with singletons in both hands likely, and opportunities for cross-ruffing. Bid 4 Hearts
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| West | |
|---|---|
 | 8 3 |
 | K Q 10 9 4 2 |
 | 9 6 |
 | Q 9 5 |
| North | |
|---|---|
| A Q J 2 |
| J 7 6 |
| K Q 3 |
| 10 4 3 |
| East | |
|---|---|
| 9 7 6 |
| A 5 3 |
| 10 8 7 2 |
| A K 8 |
| South | |
|---|---|
| K 10 5 4 |
| 8 |
| A J 5 4 |
| J 7 6 2 |
Other Deals that illustrate this technique