Defending against artificial weak two bids

[Bende]

When defending against artificial weak two bids, like 2♦-multi for example, it is quite common to play double as a balanced hand. The strength of the double is usually either 13-15 (or very strong hands) or 15+. On Chris Ryall's website 13-15 balanced is recommended against the multi, but 15+ balanced is recommended against 2♦ = 4+♥-4+♠ and against Flannery.

 

What is the reasoning behind the different ranges? If our opponents play for example 2♣ = 4♥-5+m, does it make sense to use dbl = 13-15 balanced (or strong) or dbl = 15+ balanced?

[helene_t]

Against constructive openings like Flannery you need more to act with a balanced hand. With 13-14 balanced you just pass.

 

Against multi: I think people who play dbl as strong have some other way of showing at least some 13-15 balanced hands.

 

For example, the "SF" defense against multi, sometimes seen in The Netherlands:

 

dbl=16+ more or less balanced

2♥=11-15 t/o of spades

2♠=11-15 t/o of hearts

2NT through 3♥=transfer

 

Against weak with both majors: If you hold some 14 points with 3-3 in the majors, maybe the risk of responder bidding a preemptive 3♥ or 3♠ is lower for the "both majors" opening than the "one major" opening. Maybe somebody can make a simulation. If that is the case then it is less urgent to come in with the 13-14 hands.

[suokko]

It is more likely that you face 3M next round after ekren style 2♦ than after multi. For multi to come back at 3 level opponents have to have ♥ fit or responder fit for both majors. While after ekren it is enough that responder holds 4-5 cards in one of majors.

 

After multi I like to pass first if I have T/O for one of majors and then later come in with T/O double so partner gets chance for penalty pass. That has once produced 1100 from 2♠ and a few smaller penalties.

 

Of course strong T/O hand has to start with double immediately to keep partner in same wave length.

 

Another hand type which I would like to pass first is 5+M after multi. This hand could be one to penalty pass if opponents opened 2M weak. Too bd this hand type has problem that 2♦ might be passed out. Specially dangerous if having short ♦.

 

After ekren type preemption it is harder to bid own games because you don't assume that opponents have taken any suits yet. Of course you can assume one of suits taken when responder prefers to it but if you take direct action you don't have any cuewbids available which makes biding harder.

[Free]

Against multi I prefer the following agreement in direct seat:

- in the first round, bid like opener bid 2♥ (so Dbl is takeout with short ♥)

- in the second round, opps will usually be at 2♠. Now again you bid natural

This makes things very easy, partner has a cuebid available, and you have penalty doubles (example 2♦-p-[2HE]-p-p-Dbl is penalty, otherwise you'd have bid the previous round).

Remark on this: you can play it the other way around, first round assuming opener has ♠. However, the auction may well go 2♦-2♠-3♥ in which case you've made it harder for yourself.

 

I rarely play against mini-multi (only weak possibilities). Against mini-multi this defense has a flaw because 2♦ is NF...

 

Against Ekren 2♦ openings, I play Dbl as opening values which can't bid 2NT. 2M is natural (we may still have a fit M).

[ArtK78]

One very practical reason why it makes sense to require a stronger hand to take a direct action over a 2 level bid showing both majors is that if your side is to declare the hand you will have to play in 2NT or the three level at a minimum (I am assuming that your side is not going to declare in one of opener's major suits). Over a multi bid which shows only one major, your side could declare the hand at the two level in a major.

 

Still, I am not comfortable acting over a multi bid with a balanced 13-15 count, anymore than I am comfortable acting over an opening weak 2 bid with a balanced 13-15 count.

[helene_t]

One very practical reason why it makes sense to require a stronger hand to take a direct action over a 2 level bid showing both majors is that if your side is to declare the hand you will have to play in 2NT or the three level at a minimum (I am assuming that your side is not going to declare in one of opener's major suits). Over a multi bid which shows only one major, your side could declare the hand at the two level in a major.

Well spotted.

 

Responder can usually pass the double, though.

 

Still, I am not comfortable acting over a multi bid with a balanced 13-15 count, anymore than I am comfortable acting over an opening weak 2 bid with a balanced 13-15 count.

It is safe to double multi, it doesn't force partner to bid as opps usually don't want to play 2♦X. This is very different from when you double a natural 2-opening.