To recap - an opening weak 2 is
· A hand with a long suit
· Weak on points
· Little defensive strength.
They think that you have game, particularly if they bid a weak 2 after two passes, so you must do the maximum to find a bid.
The principles are the same as defending to a 1 of a suit bid or a pre-emptive bid at the three level. The difference is that:
· Your partner will be one level higher.
· The opposition have clearly described their hand.
As always if you are thinking of bidding you should ask what the bids means (if you will not bid - do not ask). The weak 2 bid (though typically 6 cards and 5-9 HCPs) can vary. If you do not need to know for bidding, ask for clarification before you choose your lead.
Double is for take-out. However it should be a purer hand, with a shortage in their suit, as you must cater for all your partners responses. So opening points and at least three cards in the unbid suits and ideally 4 in a couple of them.
To bid 2NT 16-18 with a good stop.
To bid 3NT 19-21 with a good stop. This is based on the principle that if you have 20, the weak 2 is an average of 8, leaving an outstanding 12HCPs. If these are evenly split, partner will have 6, so enough HCPs for 3NT.
If you do not have a 4 card major and no stop, but a good opening hand of say 13-15 points, bid a 5+ card suit. Partner with a stop and say 12 points can bid the 3N.
With a stronger hand double and then you can change the suit.
A cue bid of their suit is normally strong 17+ and asking for a stop in NTs.
A common problem is that I have good trumps 5+ in their suit, but not enough points to bid NTs, what do I do? You may have to pass and hope that partner doubles for take-out, which you can leave in for penalties.
Other Resources
Pre-emptive bids
Balancing (last person to bid)
Advanced
Lebensol 2N over a double of a weak 2
The major problem over the double of a weak 2 is to differentiate between a weak response and a stronger one. This can be done by reserving the 2N response as weak (<8 HCPS) which forces the response of 3C which can then be passed or corrected to 3DHS. So if the responder to the double bids you know he has 8+ HCPs.
http://www.bridgebum.com/lebensohl_over_weak_two.php
Leaping Michaels
As per Michaels cue bid, this shows 5/5 two suiter and is forcing to game.
This is used over weak 2s and preempts at the three level.
http://www.bridgeguys.com/Conventions/leaping_michaels.html
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