This concept or conventional system of opening on the two level was developed by Mr. Robert Sebesfi (aka: Bob Sebesfi) in the year 1976, who also devised the Swine 1 No Trump Escape.

Note: The name itself is defined as a highly infectious, usually fatal disease of rabbits that is caused by a pox virus and is characterized by many skin tumors similar to myxomas.

Note: The above explanation may be the reason why Mr. Alan Truscott mentions the rabbit mascot of Mr. Robert Sebesfi in his bridge column of June 20, 1983, as published in The New York Times. The statement is that Mr. Robert Sebesfi of Hobart, Tasmania, battles at the bridge table with a pink rabbit tucked under his arm. This dates from an occasion early in his tournament career when an opponent scheduled to play him in a team event unwisely referred to him, in advance, as a rabbit. Sebesfi arrived at the table with the rabbit under his arm, and scored a convincing victory. Source. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Note: Although unsubstantiated, the designation is perhaps a reference to the slang term used by Australian bridge players to designate less experienced bridge players as bunnies. Since the opening bids have different and multiple meanings, the less experienced bridge player had no immunity or defense cure for the disease.

Although the significance attached to these opening bids are manifold in nature owing to the number of optional and attached features, they are allowable in many sponsored bridge organizations such as the European Bridge Union. The bids and their meanings of the bids are outlined below.

There are different versions to this concept, but it is the hope that the following represents to a large degree the original version. We have included two variations also, which are presented following what we hope is truer to the original version.

Note: Any additional information as to the bridge personality of Mr. Robert (Bob) Sebesfi, especially photographic material, would be greatly appreciated.

Opening Bids

Opening		Meaning
2		Option 1: Game forcing opening, or
		Option 2: Signifies a Weak 2 Diamonds opening with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in both Major suits with 5-10 high card points
2		Option 1: Strong 2 Diamond opening with 21+ high card points or 4- losing tricks, or
		Option 2: Strong balanced holding with 21/22 high card points, or
		Option 3: Weak 2 Hearts opening with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 4: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Spades and Clubs with 5-10 high card points.
2		Option 1: Strong 2 Hearts opening with 21+ high card points or 4- losing tricks, or
		Option 2: Weak 2 Spades opening with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Clubs with 5-10 high card points.
2		Option 1: Strong 2 Spades opening with 21+ high card points or 4- losing tricks, or
		Option 2: Weak 3 Clubs preempt, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Hearts with 5-10 high card points.
2 NT		Option 1: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Hearts and Clubs with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 2: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Spades with 5-10 high card points.
3		Transfer preempt to Diamonds.
3		Transfer preempt to Hearts.
3		Transfer preempt to Spades.
3		Transfer to 3 No Trump; Gambling 3 NT.
3 NT		Minor suit preempt to the four level.
4		South African - Texas Transfer to Hearts.
4		South African - Texas Transfer to Spades.

The first responses, in order for the opener to define his holding more clearly and to ascertain which option is the correct option, are 2 No Trump by the responder over all opening bids on the two level, which is forcing for at least one round, and 3 for all bids over and above any opening of 2 No Trump, which is also forcing for one round.

Variation by Mr. Sean Bentley and Mr. Yiannis John Sfinias

A variation of the Myxomatosis Two Bids carries with it the modification of all four Strong Two opening bids, including 2. The holding should contain at least 8.5 wining tricks, but these openings are not deemed to be absolutely game forcing. They include holdings which contain 21 high card points plus. A schematic of these opening bids are given below. Source.

Opening		Meaning
2		Option 1: Promises 8.5 tricks in Clubs, or
		Option 2: Signifies a Weak 2 Diamonds opening with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in both Major suits with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 21-22 high card points, or
		Option 5: Promises a balanced holding with 29-30 high card points.
2		Option 1: Promises 8.5 tricks in Diamonds, or
		Option 2: Weak 2 Hearts opening with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Spades and Clubs with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 23-24 high card points, or
		Option 5: Promises a balanced holding with 31-32 high card points.
2		Option 1: Promises 8.5 tricks in Hearts, or
		Option 2: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Clubs with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 3: Promises a balanced holding with 25-26 high card points, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 33+ high card points.
2		Option 1: Promises 8.5 tricks in Spades, or
		Option 2: Weak 3 preempt, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Hearts with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 27-28 high card points.
2 NT		Option 1: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Hearts and Clubs with 5-10 high card points, or
		Option 2: Promises a 5-5 distribution in Diamonds and Spades with 5-10 high card points.

Subsequent bidding is based on partnership agreement to determine which option is the correct option. The opener must in some manner describe his holding.

Variation by Mr. Paul Soloway

An alternative variation on this concept of optional Weak Two bids is attributed to Mr. Paul Soloway, but this is not confirmed. Any assistance in this regard would be greatly appreciated. The schematic belows describes the various option features of the opening bids.

Opening Bids Only

Opening		Meaning
2		Option 1: Forcing opening bid in Clubs, or
		Option 2: Promises a Weak Two opening in Diamonds, or
		Option 3: Promises 17+ high card points and a 4-4-1-4 distribution with Diamond shortness, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 21-22 high card points.
		Note: Over 2, pass is permissible or bid 3 showing strong values; 2 NT shows the balanced hand, and 2 shows Diamond shortness.
2		Option 1: Forcing opening bid in Diamonds, or
		Option 2: Promises a Weak Two opening in Hearts, or
		Option 3: Promises 17+ high card points and a 4-1-4-4 distribution with Heart shortness, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 23-24 high card points.
2		Option 1: Forcing opening bid in Hearts, or
		Option 2: Promises a Weak Two opening in Spades, or
		Option 3: Promises 17+ high card points and a 1-4-4-4 distribution with Spades shortness, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 25-26 high card points.
2		Option 1: Forcing opening bid in Spades, or
		Option 2: Weak 3 preempt, or
		Option 3: Promises 17+ high card points and a 4-4-4-1 distribution with Club shortness, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 27+ high card points.
2 NT		Option 1: Promises a 5-5 distribution in both Minor suits with 5-9 high card points.
		This option can be varied according to the preference of the partnership agreement.

The concept of beginning the bridge auction on the two level is not new, but the concept that the Two Bids as opening bids could signify different interpretations and contain various options to be explained via rebids became popular in some areas of the bridge community. The ensuing auction was mostly based on partnership agreement, which did not lack a certain logic if the opponents decided to remain silent.

Variation by Mr. Tony Rolfe

This variation is suggested by Mr. Tony Rolfe of New South Wales, Australia. Source. Mr. Tony Rolfe is the present Web Master for the Mollymook Bridge Club located in Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia.

Opening		Meaning
2		Option 1: Always promises a strong balanced holding with 21-22 points, or
		Option 2: promises a strong unbalanced holding with 21-22 points, which does not contain two 5-card plus suits.
2		Option 1: Promises an Acol 2 Diamonds opening, which shows a game forcing holding, or 23-24 high card points, or 27-28 high card points with a balanced holding, or
		Option 2: Promises a Weak Two opening in Hearts, or
		Option 3: Promises a holding with a 5-5 shape in the two black suits, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 23-24 high card points.
2		Option 1: Promises an Acol 2 Hearts opening, which contains 4-9 high card points and a minimum of a 6-card Heart suit, or
		Option 2: Promises a Weak Two opening in Spades, or
		Option 3: Promises a 5-5 plus shape in both Minor suits, or
		Option 4: Promises a balanced holding with 25 plus high card points.
2		Option 1: Promises an Acol 2 Spades opening, which 4-9 high card points and a minimum of a 6-card Heart suit, or
		Option 2: Promises a 5-5 plus shape in Hearts and an unspecified Minor suit.
2 NT		Option 1: Promises a 5-5 plus shape in Spades and an unspecified red suit.

Note: According to Mr. Tony Rolfe the two-suiters are either Weak Two bids or promises a holding with a minimum of 8 plus playing tricks. The partnership can agree upon three rebid variations, which are weak, Acol strength, or game forcing.

 

 

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.