Weak Two Bids

Weak Twos are opening bids that show 5-10 high card points and six cards in the bid suit. Ideally, opener has concentrated strength in his six-card suit and nothing in the other suits. The classic weak two bid looks something like this:

AQJTxx
x
xxx
xxx

By opening 2 you make it harder for the opponents to find a fit in one of the other suits. See also the Rule of 2, 3 and 4, which is a guideline for determining when to open a weak two.

A weak two bid usually does not contain a side four-card major, although this is up to partnership agreement. The reason it is dangerous to preempt with a side four-card major is because the partnership may miss a good fit in that major, perhaps even a game contract, while they may have no fit in the weak two suit and may languish there.

Also, while the SAYC bidding system espouses 5-11 HCP as the range for a weak two, this technically conflicts with the Rule of 20. If you have 11 points and a 6-card suit, then you must have a 3-card side suit (or longer). Add that up and you get 20 points. So it's worth deciding if you and your partner want to open 11-pointers as a weak two.

Response	Meaning
A simple raise	Named "Raise Only Non Forcing", this shows 3 or 4-card support and approximately 6-13 points (insufficient values for a game contract). It is preemptive and completely non-forcing.
A jump raise	Usually shows a weak, preemptive hand (with at least 4-card support). It is also common to make a 4/ jump raise with 5-card support regardless of strength. However, a major suit jump raise may also be made by a strong hand that believes the game contract will succeed.
A new suit	Natural and forcing for one round, typically showing at least a 5-card suit and denying support for partner's suit. However, this is up to partnership agreement; some pairs prefer to play a new suit as a non-force.
2NT	Strong, artificial forcing bid. It is most frequently used when responder has 3+ card support. Opener is asked to show a feature in a side suit, i.e. an ace or king, by bidding that suit at the three level. Examples: 2 : 2NT 3 3 shows the ace or king of clubs. 2 : 2NT 3 3 shows a minimum hand with no side suit features. See also Ogust, a convention with more detailed responses to 2NT. In competition, the artificial 2NT response and rebids are on.

AJ3 52 T942 K542

West     Pass North     2 1 East     Pass You     3 2 1 Weak. 2 An obstructive raise. Non-forcing.

AKJ AT3 K9652 42

West     Pass North     2 1 East     Pass You     2NT 2 1 Weak. 2 Artificial and forcing. With game-invitational values, South plans to rebid 4 unless partner shows a minimum hand via a 3 bid.

AKJ2 KQJ5 6 K743

West     Pass North     2 1 East     Pass You     4 2 1 Weak. 2 A strong raise to game. However, this bid can also be preemptive with a weak hand and 4+ card support.