- 28 -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 24

RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S OPENING WEAK 2-BID

1. RAISES IN PARTNER’S SUIT:

a. A Single Raise in Partner's Suit ‑ "RONF" ("Raise Only Non‑Force") A further defensive blocking

bid especially effective when used after an opponent’s intervening take‑out double. Such a bid is never

invitational to game; rather, alternatively, it is a furtherance of what is assumed to be a pre-emptive

interference with the opponent’s hand. It is rarely made with the intention of the contract being made,

rather, alternatively, with the presumption that the hand really belongs to the opponents.

Ex. 2S Dbl. 3S (or) 3D P 4D (or) 3H P 5H

b. A Jump Raise to Game ‑ Made either pre‑emptively (Same as in a. above) to further the pre-emptive block or with game‑going values and a presumption that the contract is to be made.

Ex. 2H Dbl. 4H (or) 3C P 5C

In both (a) and (b) above, when used pre‑emptively, the responding partner is likely to have multiple cards, (3 or more), in partner's pre‑emptive suit and little additional outside strength. When used as a game‑going bid, however, the strength necessary is obvious as it must be coupled with partner's stated 6‑card suit and 5‑11 HCP's. It would, therefore, represent a better than opening HCP count since pre-emptive opener has shown less than a full opening hand.

2. BIDS OTHER THAN RAISES IN PARTNER'S SUIT: ALL ARE FORCING

a. A 3NT or Game Bid in a New Suit ‑ Either are Siqn‑offs spoken to play as stated.

Ex. 2S P 3NT (or) 2H P 4S (or) 2D P 4H

b. Any Switch in Suit Below Game Level (Remember "RONF") ‑ Absolutely Forcing. Asks partner for further information as listed herein: Responses are mandatory as shown:

(1) With 3‑cards in new suit stated by responder = Raise responder one level in responder's suit.

(2) With 2‑cards in new suit stated by responder = Bid cheapest NT.

(3) With 1 card or void in new suit stated by responder = rebid opener's suit.

Based upon opener's response as in (1), (2), or (3) above, responder will then place the contract.

- 28a -

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

LESSON 24

RESPONSES TO PARTNER’S OPENING WEAK 2-BID

(Continued)

c. “2NT” ‑ "OGUST CONVENTION" ‑ An artificial Conventional bid requesting a further description of opener's hand as follows: This format is used when using a point count system of bidding.

(1) With 5‑7 HCP's and 1 of the top three honors in opener's suit = bid “3C” (artificial)

(2) With 5‑7 HCP's and 2 of the top three honors in opener's suit = bid “3D” (artificial)

(3) With 8‑11 HCP's and 1 of the top three honors in opener's suit = bid “3H” (artificial)

(4) With 8‑11 HCP's and 2 of the top three honors in opener's suit = bid “3S” (artificial)

(5) With 8‑11 HCP's and 3 of the top three honors in opener's suit = bid “3NT” (artificial)

Based upon opener's response as in (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) above, responder will place the final contract.