DEFENCE TO THE MULTI 2D OPENING
What is the Multi 2 Diamond opening bid?
The Multi 2d opening bid is normally – but not always as some pairs play it differently – one of these three options:
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A weak (6-9) two in a major (which is initially unspecified) – this occurs 90%+ of the time
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A very strong 2NT bid – usually 23+ points, or more – occurs a few percent of the time
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A very strong minor suit – usually of 9+ playing tricks – occurs a few percent of the time
Therefore, always assume it’s the weak option – a weak two in either Heart or Spades.
The responder to a multi-2D opening will often bid his worst/shortest major, on the assumption that is the opener’s suit. Opener then either passes or corrects to their major, or – rarely – rebids 2N or 3 of a minor.
Examples of multi-2D sequences without your side being involved – if you want to know more, look at this link: https://www.chrisryall.net/bridge/weak.two/multi-2d.htm)
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2D-2H-Pass = a weak 2 in hearts and responder has either equal majors, or worse hearts
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2D-2H-2S = a weak 2 in spades (ditto)
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2D-2S-3H = a weak 2 in hearts, and responder has better hearts than spades
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2D-2H-2N = 23+ points, balanced
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2D-2S-3C/D = an ACOL opening bid in that minor, often with 9+ tricks.
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2D-2N = FORCING, asking opener to describe their hand further.
How to defend against the multi 2D:
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In second seat (i.e. immediately over the opener):
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Double with any balanced 12 – 15/16, or a very strong hand.
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Bid 2NT with 16/17 – 19 (over 2NT play your normal responses to an opening 2NT)
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Bid 2H/2S with 11-17, 5 card suit or longer.
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Bid 3C/3D with 11-17, 6 card suit or longer.
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Bid 3H/S with good 17+ and good quality 6+ card suit (you do not pre-empt a pre-emptor)
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Bid 3N with a very good balanced 19-21 (or with less points but with a solid running suit).
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Hands that don’t fit the above: in some cases, you will have an opening bid but not one that allows any of the above actions. The most common is a three suited hand short in a major (which will probably be their suit). In this case pass initially, and double on the next round if that is the case.
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With two suited hands, either bid your best suit (always bid a major if possible), or pass and then bid after they stop in 2H/S. This will always imply two suits, as you didn’t bid on the first round. Pass followed by 2NT shows both minors.
b) In fourth seat (e.g. partner passes over the 2D opening and you are in the 4th seat):
c) In sixth seat (e.g. you initially passed over the 2D opening as you could not bid (see above), but now want to):
d) In eighth seat (as previous point, but delayed):
Responding to partner’s 2nd or 4th seat double
Assume partner has the 12-15 balanced hand.
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Pass for penalties if you have a good 9+ and both majors!
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Partner has assumed you have 7-ish points. If that’s all you in fact do have (say you are in the range of 0-9 points), then bid your best suit at the lowest level.
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If you have a good 10+ points, consider passing for penalties, as above. If you cannot pass for penalties, bid as you would over a normal weak two major.
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Remember that if (opponent) responder passes the doubled 2D bid, you get another crack at bidding later on, as their opener must (obviously) convert to his major. E.g.
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(2D)-X-(P)-? It’s your bid with say KT9x, Axx, QTxxx, x. You do not need to do anything at this stage, since the 2D opener will have to convert to his 6 card major, which you will then double, probably.
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Similarly, you may get a chance to double opponents later if you hold something like this: QJ98x, xxx, Axx, xx and the bidding goes: (2D)-X-(2H)-P-(2S)-P-(P)-?
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You didn’t bid anything the first time around as you don’t have enough points/trumps to double 2H, nor do you have a suit of your own to bid.
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However, now you really do have an opinion, since partner has advertised as a minimum a weak NT type of hand and you have 5 good trumps and an ace, so you will double.
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Lebensohl is highly recommended, in order to differentiate between responder’s weak and strong hands.
If partner bids on over your response to his ‘balanced’ take-out double, then he is showing 18+ and either an unbalanced hand or very strong hand.
There are many other ways to defend against the multi – just search for it on the internet – but these should get you started.
The multi is not to be feared – just understood!
PS and yes, just very occasionally you will be unlucky and double a strong 2NT or very strong minor opener, but this will rarely cost you much as most good players will be doing the same thing.
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