Conventions

Home

M J Bridge

♦

♠

♥

♣

Bidding

Hands

Theory

Weak over strong

Bid weak hands over strong openings.

This maxim usually comes as part of a pair, the other being ‘strong over weak’.

It is an important, albeit not universal, principle.

When the opponents open with a strong bid interfere vigorously when holding shape in a weak hand.

Opponents opened with an artificial strong bid

This principle applies particularly when your opponents open with an artificial strong bid such as an artificial 2♣ or a Precision club.

In either case, there is unlikely to be a making game contract your way, and furthermore your opponents have as yet no idea how their two hands work together.

If you have a weak hand with a long suit you should get in at as high a level as is reasonable as soon as possible, particularly if not vulnerable.  Your opponents will still probably find their game contract, but they will be severely hampered in their search for a slam, and you may well have laid the groundwork for a further preemptive raise by partner.

Jump bids will be weak, and in general at the two-level on a six-card suit and at the three-level on a seven-card suit, etc., but don’t be afraid to bid one higher if not vulnerable.

So, what do you do with a stronger holding?

It is must unlikely that you will hold the values to make a game based on combined high-card strength.

If you do think you can see a game in your hand based on a long suit then either wait a round (you will get another chance) or just bid the game - an honest attempt and still with the same preemptive value.

Alternatively, with less shape but holding some defensive strength, don’t be afraid to use your points in defence.  A circumspect pass will frequently score well.

A fuller discussion of the methods available will be found on the page ‘opponents opened an artificial strong bid’.

Opponents opened with a natural strong bid

The argument for intervening is a little less compelling now that the opponents’ bid is more closely defined - they have already set out on the road towards knowing what each other holds.

However, the principle still applies.  Provided that their bid promises some high-card strength and not just playing strength it is still unlikely that there will be a game contract your way, and there is still time to take bidding space away from their slam-try sequences.

The situation is discussed further on the page ‘opponents opened a natural strong bid’.

Opponents opened in no trumps

This time the principle does not apply.  If they open a strong no trump (15 to 17 say) or 2NT, responder will know exactly what to do should you choose to get involved, and it might prove to be expensive.  To an extent against a strong 1NT, and almost invariably against a strong 2NT, it will be correct to defend.  If your side happens to have real trick-taking potential it will serve you well in defence.

The situations are discussed further on the pages ‘opponents opened a strong no trump’ and ‘opponents opened 2NT’.

Sometimes it is not obvious if an opponent’s opening bid should be classified as weak, standard, or strong.

I will propose the following ‘working rule’:-

treat the bid as strong if it guarantees at least fifteen HCP.

In the case of an opening bid such as the multi two diamonds which combines weak and strong meanings, start by assuming that it is weak and bid accordingly, unless you have specifically made some other agreement.

This page last revised 3rd Mar 2019

Context - overcaller - considerations and principles.