Beginners Lessons Opening the Bidding Strong Hands (Lessons by Allan & Claire Whiteford)

2D Opening

An opening bid of 2D has a special meaning and must be alerted. It shows one of the following:

• at least 16 HCP and a enough tricks to make game
• a balanced hand of 25-26 HCP
• a balanced hand of 29-30 HCP

Initially your partner will not know which one of these you have and your partner will normally bid 2H to allow you to describe your hand. This 2H bid is a "relay" or "waiting" bid, it says nothing about partners hand and must be alerted.

Partner must never pass even with no points
(Remember the 2D opening bid does not necessarily show a diamond suit).

Responder has other options:

• 2S, 3C, 3D, 3H - shows a 5+ card suit and an Ace & King (not necessarily in the bid suit). This response is an invite to bid to Slam.
• 2NT - shows a balanced hand and 5+ points
• 3NT - shows a balanced hand and an Ace & King

After the 2H waiting bid Opener will then bid either:

• 2S/3C/3D/3H - showing the prefered trump suit
• 3S/4C/4D/4H - a jump bid sets trumps even if partner has none
• 2NT - showing 25 -26 HCP and a balanced hand
• 3NT - showing 29-30 HCP and a balanced hand