The Preemptive (or Weak 2) bid is used when a player has six or more of a suit but less than the twelve points necessary to open the bidding.

The learner will:

• describe how to use the weak 2 bid in a competitive auction.

Anticipatory Set:

Imagine when you look at your cards, you have six or more hearts but less than the twelve points necessary to open your hand. Are you disappointed? The weak 2 bid is just right for you. And, it gets in the way of your opponents by taking up room in the bidding ladder.

• The weak two hands shows:
  • six-card suit,
  • two of the top three honors in the suit,
  • 5-10 points with no distribution,
  • seven cards bid on the 3 level with three of top four honors,
  • with 8 cards bid on the 4 level.
• Never open a hand weak with a four-card major.
• Example:  (♠) 3, 2     (♥) A, Q, J, 9, 4, 2   (♦) 7, 6    (♣) 6, 5, 4
  • Surely you can take tricks with this hand. You have seven high-card points!
  • A weak 2 bid is an opening bid made at the 2 level on a VERY weak hand.
  • Bids you can make:  2 (♦)   2 (♥)   2 (♠) 
  • The 2 club bid is reserved for another type of bid, so we cannot use it to describe a weak hand.
•  Let's practice with the following hands:
• (♠) K, Q, 9, 7, 5, 3     (♥) 7, 3   (♦) Q, 9, 2    (♣) J, 6
  What would you open?  2 (♠) The hand has 8 HCP and 6 cards/2 honors in spades
• (♠) 6     (♥) K, 9   (♦) Q, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5    (♣) 5, 4, 3, 2
  What would you open? 
• (♠) K, 3     (♥) 6, 5   (♦) A, K, 9, 7, 5, 2    (♣) Q, J, 7
  What would you open? 1 (♦) You have too many points to open weak. 13 HCP + 2 for distribution

The Club Suit:

• If you open 2 clubs, your partner will think you have more than half the available points in the deck.  22+ points.
• If you have a six or more card club suit, you can open 3 clubs.
• (♠) 7, 8    (♥) Q, 9   (♦) 7, 5, 3    (♣) A, Q, J, 9, 8, 5
  What would you open? 3 (♣) 

Responding to the weak 2 bid: 

• With three-card support and a weak hand, pass.
• With four-card support and a weak hand, you can raise. You make it harder for your opponents to find THEIR contract.
• The weaker your hand, the higher you can raise. But be sure to check on your vulnerability.
• These bids are not forcing; remember partner has opened weak. 
• The worse fit with partner, the better your own hand has to be to bid. As a weak opener, partner will pass your bid.
• The 2 NT response bid is forcing for one round. This bid asks your partner if he or she has a feature--an ace or a king in a side suit. To make this bid, you must have 17 points and trump support. You must have the golden fit!
• If your partner has a high card in one of your long suits, you may be able to take more tricks.
• Hint: Before making a bid, check your vulnerability.