Dear Ed & Peter,

When you are NOT VULNERABLE, do you recommend bidding a weak two, with 6 of a suit, even if you do not hold honors?

thank you,

Ellen

Reply from Ed Hoogenkamp ('South'):

Dear Ellen,

First let me say this. I think this matter not only depends on your own vulnerability, but also on theirs. And furthermore the position is important: are you in first, second, third or fourth hand?

First the position where EVERYTHING is allowed: third position not vulnerable against vulnerable.
Partner has already passed and they have much to gain so have fun! Five card suits are allowed, no points, whatever. As long as partner doesn't get to active (agree on that) you can basically do whatever you feel like (but remember: always warn your opponents by alerting about any non-standard partnership agreements!).

In other positions (1st and 2nd) I would say that a weak suit is allowed when they are vulnerable and you are not, but with none vulnerable I would expect some quality in the suit.

Vulnerable the suit of course always has to be good, say QJ10xxx is the bare minimum.

In Norway they only open a weak two with AKQJ108 or better I have heard, let's see what Peter has to say...

Reply from Peter van der Linden ('North'):

Dear Ellen,

'Traditionally' the quality of your suit must be good. As a rule: if partner turns up with one top honour (ace, king or queen), you should have no more than one loser in the suit. This is consistent with Ed's advice 'QJ10xxx is the bare minimum'.
But that is just an advice, not a law.

First you should consider whether you want your weak two to be in the first place (a) constructive or (b) destructive or (c) a little of both.

If you choose (a) constructive you should stick to the good quality suit, as mentioned above.
The advantages of this choice:
- Partner can rely upon your suit, so in further bidding he can raise it (or double the opponents). You might end up being declarer in either a save or in a contract bid to make.
- Partner will lead your suit if the opponents buy the contract and will know that lead to be safe.
- You will not often go down doubled for a big loss, since your suit is bound to produce at least four tricks.
The disadvantages of this choice:
- You cannot very often open a weak two, meaning you disturb the opponents' bidding less often.
- If, after you have opened a constructive weak two, the opponents buy the contract, they know what to expect in your hand, you have given away information.
To sum it up: by opening constructive weak two's you (but also the opponents) retain control over the bidding. These openings are relatively little 'adventurous'.  

If you choose (b) destructive you might open on even a suit without  honour cards. The advantages are:
- You can open a weak two more often.
- The opponents will be more often rattled by your audacious openings, especially since they may misinterpret the value of their honour cards in your suit. They may overbid and suffer a painful loss or they may underbid and miss a game or slam.
- Even if they buy the contract, the opponents have no clue as to what your hand looks like, apart from the six card suit.
The disadvantages:
- Partner will have no clue as to whether he should bid on, double or pass.
- Partner will have no clue as to what he should lead. Leading the king from Kx in your suit might easily prove to be fatal if you have opened on 10xxxxx.
- If one opponent has length in your suit (with the honour cards you do not have since you have opened on 10xxxxx!) a penalty double might lead to a four figure loss. And, adding insult to injury, if you have opened with honour cards in your side suits they might not even have a contract of their own to make.

What to choose or: what do I recommend?
In principle anything goes as long as you inform your opponents accurately by alerting.
Most experts and teachers recommend to open constructive weak two's.
In the case of experts that is logical: if the bidding is constructive and controlled, they will win in the long run, thanks to their superior judgement and technique.
Teachers recommend the constructive opening since they can teach their pupils how to make rational choices in their bidding only if the auction is a controlled one.

That brings us to: who would choose destructive openings then? Well, young wolves! And weaker players facing stronger ones. After all, after such an opening nothing is secure, no one really knows what is going on. The bidding is chaotic, anarchy rules (please note: if you open destructive weak two's the opponents have no idea whether you indeed have 10xxxxx or a decent six card suit like AQJ10xx after all).

So if you feel a young wolf and thrive on chaos: go ahead and open on 10xxxxx. You will lose heavily sometimes and win the next time. Important is that you and partner are prepared to accept heavy setbacks. Especially if you would open destructively when vulnerable against not...

'Normal' people however open constructive weak two's. Now I would not call myself normal (Ed would protest vehemently) but that is my advice to you.
Third in hand you may loosen up though, try a bit more anarchism.
Fourth in hand of course you open very constructive! You need almost the strength of an opening of one in a suit, at least 10 points. After all, if you have a really weak hand you simply pass! Zero should be a good score, since the opponents hold the balance of power.

PS: If you want to live a bit dangerously, you might choose (c) a little of both.
- Open destructively when not vulnerable against vulnerable.
- Open constructively when vulnerable against not vulnerable.
- Open 'rather' constructively at game all or none vulnerable: you might ease the demands on suit quality a bit then.

PPS: In the US restrictions on allowed systems and conventions are more common than in Europe. I do not know whether destructive weak two's are allowed in all tournaments and competitions. But if they are allowed and if you play them, it is imperative that you inform your opponents correctly and completely. This cannot be repeated often enough!

En hils fra Orkanger