Structure 7G73 by Richard Pavlicek

Weak Two-Bid Structure

In a Nutshell

I like to play aggressive (but sensible) weak two-bids, often with just a sturdy 5-card suit, but this causes problems when partner is the one with a good hand. Therefore, I devised a rebid structure (after a forcing 2 NT response) to indicate a 5-carder immediately, or to define the opening in three gradients (good, average, or dog) instead of the usual two.

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Details

Opening bids of 2

, 2

and 2

are weak two-bids. Range is 5-11 HCP and style is undisciplined but sensible. Good 5 card suits (usually 3 of top 5 cards) are permissible at all vulnerabilities. Decent 5 card suits are permissible at favorable vulnerability.

West
2 X North
P East
? South

•
Call
Any raise
New suit
2 NT
4 jump
Other jump Meaning
obstructive; preemptive
6+ cards; semiconstructive; NF
game or slam try; F
trump asking (see topic)
6+ cards; I if below game

West
2 X
? North
P East
Suit South
P

Call
Pass
2 NT, 3 NT
Raise
Jump raise
New suit
Same suit Meaning
minimum or misfit
maximum; doubleton fit
at least Q-x or x-x-x
exceptional fit
4+ cards (6-4, 6-5)
at least K-Q-J-10-x-x

West
2 M
? North
P East
2 NT South
P

Call
3
3
3 M
3 other major
3 NT
4 , 4 Meaning
5 cards in original suit
6 cards; not worst hand
6 cards; worst hand
natural (4 cards); not worst hand
6 cards; A-K-Q or A-K-J
at least Q-x-x-x (6-4, 6-5)

West
2
? North
P East
2 NT South
P

Call
3
3
3 , 3
3 NT
4 Meaning
5 card diamond suit
6 cards; any minimum
6 cards; stopper
6 cards; no major stopper
at least Q-x-x-x (6-4, 6-5)

Rebids by responder:

West
2 M
3

North
P
P

East
2 NT
?

South
P

•

Call
3
3 M, 3 NT
Other suit Meaning
artif. F; opener bids 3 M if min, else 3 NT
sign-off
5+ cards; F if below game

West
2 M
3 X North
P
P East
2 NT
? South
P

Call
3 M
3 NT
New suit Meaning
NF; opener may bid if max
NF; opener may correct
5+ cards; F if below game

West
2
3 X North
P
P East
2 NT
? South
P

Call
3 , game
4
New suit Meaning
sign-off
NF; opener may bid 5
5+ cards; F if below game

Competitive agreements:

West
2 X

North
Dbl

East
?

South

Call
Pass then Dbl
Redouble
New suit
Other Meaning
cooperative below 3 NT; penalty above
strong; creates F auction
not constructive; NF
as without double

West
2 X North
Bid East
? South

•
•
Call
Double
Cue below 3 NT
Cue above 3 NT
Other Meaning
penalty
stopper ask (3 NT = yes)
control ask
as without bid

West
2 X
? North
any East
2 NT South
Act

Call
Any Meaning
standard defense (see below)

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Standard Defense

This defense is a practical method to counter enemy interference over our forcing bids that elicit specific rebids in the following situations:

1. 2 NT response to weak two-bid or analogous structure after our weak jump overcall, weak jump shift response, or 2 or 2 overcall of an enemy 1 NT opening

2. 2 NT response to Michaels cue-bid or Astro 2 or 2

3. Cue-bid response to unusual 2 NT overcall

Rebid structure:

After an enemy bid:

Call
All rebids
Pass
Dbl Meaning
normal meaning
minimum; normal rebid unavailable
maximum; normal rebid unavailable

After an enemy double:

Call
All rebids
Pass
Rdbl Meaning
normal meaning
minimum; useful defensive values
maximum; useful defensive values

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