Defense against 5 card weak2

[szgyula]

Hi,

 

As the title implies. We are playing IMP against good players. Their "weak2" promises 5 cards, not 6. Otherwise quite standard. Yes, they open Axx.Q8xxx.Jx.Qxx with 2H. What is the suggested defense? We only play 8 boards and we have no chance to practice, etc. Past experience shows that the agressively raise the weak2. In the past (different pair, same system) we used a DSI double quite effectively after such raises (e.g. 2D-2S-3D-X with good spades but many defensive tricks -- went down 3 doubled). That may work here. What to do in direct seat after a 2D/H/S?

 

1. What should be X? Probably take-out but how strong, etc.? SHould we relax the standard take-out requirements?

2. What about overcalls? A 2D opening makes it hard to find a 44 fit in a major.

3. Is it worth to show 2 suiters somehow?

4. What about 2NT? 15-18, balanced and stopper?

5. What about cue bid?

 

Thanks,

 

Gyula

[etha]

leaping michaels is useful to show 2 suiters. I would just use the same defence as to 6 card ones. You never want to play in their suit so I don't see the difference.

[apollo1201]

I’d say don’t change too much vs your current defense against normal week 2. Especially if you just play 8 boards.

 

The 5 topics you mention should already be addressed by your current defense.

 

Just be a little more suspicious about your NT stoppers. Overcaller’s partner will on average have more cards to lead in his partner’s suit (eg. Ax is enough to stop if the suit splits 62, 53 breaks are more likely to happen...), and opener will probably have side entries more often to establish and cash his suit.

 

FWIW, I play the same defense against weak 2M and Muiderberg 2M (5M+4m) but with more suspicions on the 2NT overcall especially with a small doubleton m.

[steve2005]

Double-Penalty orientated usually strong NT type. Lebensohl played if double pulled

2NT=Takeout (usually minimum)

3C=18+ NF takeout that has club tolerance

[apollo1201]

Double-Penalty orientated usually strong NT type. Lebensohl played if double pulled

2NT=Takeout (usually minimum)

3C=18+ NF takeout that has club tolerance

Over 2D, do you really have to bid 2NT with ATxx KJxx x QJTx? And how do you bid nice hands with C (eg xxx Ax Kx AQJxxx over 2M)?

[TylerE]

Defend same as normal, whatever our agreements are. Maybe be a tad more conservative with marginal hands.

[ray_p]

Bid as you would normally.

 

They are the ones taking on extra risk prempting with a short suit, so be alert to the opportunities to take them down -3 or -4, instead of bidding your game. But focus on your defence play so you don't give away free tricks.

 

Though also remember that if they are prempting on a short suit it will probably be a the higher end of the point range.

[gordontd]

Double-Penalty orientated usually strong NT type. Lebensohl played if double pulled

2NT=Takeout (usually minimum)

3C=18+ NF takeout that has club tolerance

Yuk!

[etha]

anyone remember the Hackett defence to weak 2's?

 

 

We used to joke it was propaganda spread by the hacketts to get people to play the defence against them.

[miamijd]

As others have indicated, the standard treatments for 6-card weak 2s work fine against 5-carders.

[msjennifer]

Sirs/Miss,It is my personal opinion that just because the weak 2 opener has one card less there is no reason to change ones methods at all (so long as the HCP range is same).We faced a difficult situation when opponents announced that their 2D opening is with 16/18 HCP in either 6 card major and 2H/S are the usual weak 2 openings.

 

 

 

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[Vampyr]

anyone remember the Hackett defence to weak 2's?

 

 

We used to joke it was propaganda spread by the hacketts to get people to play the defence against them.

 

I asked Paul about that once and he neither confirmed nor denied.

 

As others have indicated, the standard treatments for 6-card weak 2s work fine against 5-carders.

 

Yes of course. But if you look at the example above, you can see that their style is rather undisciplined. This will affect your play of the hand.