2 Bids; what are the options?

Strong 2's; 2C = GF (more QT than losers or 23+ balanced); 2D/H/S 8+PT

Benjamin 2's; 2D = GF, see above; 2C = 8PT; 2H/2S weak

3 weak 2's; 2C = almost GF; 2D/H/S weak

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Strong 2 structure

the 2C opener; more quick tricks than losers or 23+ balanced.
... 2C 2D 2N is the only non game sequence. after 2C 2D 2 major then 2N is 2nd neg.
* Any other response than 2D should show an Ace and a King or 2 KQ combinations
* ... It's not so pretty just to make a positive with 8 random points.
* ... It is useful that 3N should show a balanced 9-10 count and deny an Ace.

Strong 2's; much under-rated; Use 2N or game raise in major as weak responses
* Low frequency if used properly. At least you should feel that a positive should
* ... be the same sort of strength as for 2C. Remember partner opened a strong 2
* ... because he's frightened you'd pass a 1-bid holding 1 useful card.
* ... If responder has 2 useful cards he'd bid over a 1-bid so don't abuse strong 2's.
* ... It is bonkers to open a strong 2 on 5-4's; 5-5 or 6 bagger is a minimum.

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Benjamin 2's

The 2D opener is now the strongest bid and 2C shows a hand worth an Acol 2.

There is a school of thought that thinks it's cute to put 19-20 balanced through 2C.
* Best advice is to play against them for high stakes. If partner wouldn't respond
* ... to a one opener when you have 19, why do you want to be in 2NT?

2D 2H is negative; all other bids positive; 3N denies an Ace as before.

2C 2D is waiting. A better NT structure is put 22-23 through 2C and 24-25 through 2D.
* 2NT is now a close limit bid of good 20-21. Raise this to game with an entry.

Weak 2's - see below

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3 weak 2's

Downgrade the rquirements for 2C by 1/2 a trick if unbalanced. It is reasonable to
* play 2C 2D 2maj 2N(2nd neg) 3maj as NF, but everything else as GF (except 2C 2D 2N)

Open the 8PT hands with a 1-bid, and expect responder to stretch over a minor.
* 1-bids should now be described as 11-21 rather than 11-19/20. 2C 2D 2N still 23-24.

Weak 2's - classic structure is a reasonable 6 bagger, about 5-9, maybe a point more Vul.
* it is good bridge to open 5 card weak 2's in 3rd seat when playing weak NT.

Development after weak 2's. Most players play 2NT as a conventional response:
2NT is usually the values for a strong NT or better, but might be weak and tactical.
* ... there are 2 common rebid structures; Ogust and Feature

Ogust: 3C=bad hand, bad suit; 3D = bad hand, good suit; 3H = good hand, bad suit;
* ..... 3S = good hand, good suit; 3N is AKQxxx (but I'd open that with a 3-bid)
* ... If you prefer sensible weak 2's then Ogust is for you.

Feature: rebid your suit with a bad hand, or show Hxx with a good hand (might be Hx)

Single raise of a weak 2 is 3 card fit; 0-13 (taking account of vul); double raise
* shows a 4-card fit. Do not use 2NT when you have a weak NT; after all you'd pass
* ... a wto if you'd opened a wk NT wouldn't you?

Yanks tend to play "RONF" - "Raise only Non-Force"; it's ok. Some prefer new suit is
* constructive NF - you should raise holding any 3-card fit. You can pass at 2-level.

There is a better structure over wk 2's to use the next available bid as the relay
* ... particularly when playing feature. 2NT now substitutes for the stolen bid.
* ... eg playing feature 2D 2H 2N would be H feature. 2D 2N is a H gametry.
* ... the advantage is that all rebids fall below the opened suit, so there's no
* ... danger in looking for a feature as you can sign off regardless.
* ... You can play this style much more tactically.

..... feedback welcome.