The origin of this conventional method is unknown. Any additional information as to the development of this particular preemptive bid would be greatly appreciated. In the case that the author is also known, then any biographical and/or photographic material would also be greatly appreciated.

Principle of the Concept

The concept is to open the auction with a Weak Two bid in Hearts, which signifies a point range between 5 and 9 high card points and shows a distribution of 5-5 in either Major suit and in one of the Minor suits.

In general, it is acceptable practice that the disguised two Hearts preemptive bid can be employed in any seat as long as there all previous players in rotation have passed.

Note: Whether or not the disguised two Hearts can or should be employed following an opening bid of 1 Club or 1 Diamond by the opposing side is a matter of individual partnership agreement.

Note: The opening disguised two Hearts bid does not show one specific suit, which is a requirement of most sponsored bridge events. Any partnership wishing to employ this conventional method must first check with the sponsoring organization for permission as the general rule is that one suit must be specified.

Continuations by the Responder

Responses

Any suit:	If the responder has support in Hearts, then the responder may pass the opening bid of 2 Hearts. Otherwise the responder will bid Spades with Spade support. First Requirement: The responder may not raise the auction to the three level before the opener has the opportunity to clarify one of the two-suited holding.
2 NT:	This is a relay bid asking the opener to bid the unspecified Minor suit.

Continuances by the Opener

The rebids of the opener are as follows and clarify the holding after a 2 No Trump relay by the responder:

3 :	The opener shows Clubs and Hearts.
3 :	The opener shows Diamonds and Spades.
3 :	The opener shows Hearts and Diamonds.
3 :	The opener shows Spades and Clubs.

Example

East		North		West		South		Meaning
KQJ32 73 1093 J43		4 QJ985 72 KQ865		108765 A4 AK43 102		A9 K1062 QJ85 A97
Pass		2						Shows a distribution of 5-5 in either Major suit and in one of the Minor suits.
				Pass		2 NT		This is a relay bid asking the opener to bid the unspecified Minor suit. If the responder has support for the Spade suit, then the responder first bids a 4-card plus Spade suit. If the opener has Spades, then the opener will pass or bid the Minor suit showing 5-5 distribution in Hearts and the bid Minor suit.
Pass		3						The opener now shows that one of the suits is Clubs and that the other suit is Hearts.
				Pass		4		The responder realizes that there are two suits, in which there are good fits. Based mainly on the Losing Trick Count method the responder will either make a preference bid, an invitational bid with sufficient values, or bid game in one of the specified suits.

Interference

The partnership should have an agreement in case there is an immediate overcall, a preemptive overcall, or a double by an opponent. All such continuances following a competitive bid is a matter of the partnership.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.