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Context  -  Opening two of a suit.

Tartan two-bids


This is an advanced convention.  It has much to commend it for partnerships with serious tournament aspirations.


With this convention an opening bid of 2 is either strong (unlimited one-round force) with hearts, or a two-suiter with hearts and a minor.

An opening bid of 2 is similar, showing either a strong hand with spades, or a two-suiter with spades and another.


Some pairs allow the two-suited holdings to be either weak or strong - others limit their selection to the weak option.


Either or both of these bids might also include a strong no trump range, although it is more likely that 2 will include such a meaning rather than 2 (when there is very little space for the continuations).


There are a number of possibilities in the continuing auction which will be considered in due course, but in its basic form responder will make a relay bid of 2 over 2 or 2NT over 2.  Opener can then rebid his major to show the strong single-suited hand, make the cheapest bid in no trumps to show the strong balanced range, bid his second suit at the three-level to show a weak two-suiter, and bid a second suit at the four-level (or 3 after 2) to show a strong two-suiter.

6 3

K Q J 8 5 3

A Q 4

A K

Eight and a half playing tricks in a single-suited hand.

Open 2.

Partner will relay with 2 and you will rebid 3.

Q J 6 3

K Q 5 3

A Q 4

A K

Twenty one points in a balanced hand.

Open 2.

If partner relays with 2 then rebid 2NT (if this is in the agreed range).

Q J T 6 3

Q J 5 3

Q 9 4

6 2

Eight points with five spades and four hearts.

Open 2.

If partner relays with 2NT then rebid 3 to show the weak two-suited hand.

K Q J 6 3

4

K Q J 5 3

A 7

Nine playing tricks in a strong two-suited hand.

Open 2.

If partner relays with 2NT then rebid 4 to show the strong two-suiter.


I quite like this convention.

It will usually be played in combination with a standard multi 2 and frequently with a weak 2NT, thereby creating the possibility of showing a tremendous variety of weak preemptive hands.  Add to this the capability of showing some strong two-suiters, and a 2 bid which can show a number of very specific strong minor-suit orientated hands (a possibility is included in the section on strong bids), and it has a lot going for it.


As partner will have to make a decision at the three-level you will probably choose to insist on a minimum playing strength of 8½ playing tricks in the strong options.


However, not everyone is a great fan of this method.

Leaving aside those who feel that any artificial convention is a form of cheating (although they might somehow approve of Stayman and Blackwood) there are others who fire serious warning shots - Terence Quested on the Pattaya bridge club web site is particularly scathing.


The main point is to realise that all sequences (except one strong balanced range) take the bidding to the three-level.

With this point in mind it is recommended that with one of the weak holdings you should stick very closely to a basic requirement of minimum 5-5 shape, a strength requirement of at least five to nine (both six to ten and seven to eleven have much going for them), and reasonable suit quality in both suits.  This last requirement may well affect your choice of point-range.

Keeping a weather eye on the vulnerability is also to be recommended.

These requirements may limit the occasions on which you can use the bids, but things can get expensive otherwise.


If you are looking to build these bids into your system then you will have to put some work into other possible continuations.

You will also have to put some considerable thought into your actions following vigorous enemy intervention.


But, if you are a serious partnership looking for an expert method, then this is certainly worthy of serious consideration.

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Responder’s continuations

This page last revised 18th Mar 2018