In standard bidding, a 2§ response to 1¨ promises 10+ points.
For Two Over One players, it promises 12 or more points -- an opening hand -- and is game forcing.
A subtle difference -- a Queen or so -- but a very important one. It's a weak point of Standard that's eliminated in Two Over One -- "How far should we go when responder bids at the two level ? Does he have a skinny 9 points or a good 12 ? How do I know when it's one or the other?
Two Over One Sequences. The following are game force sequences in Two Over One bidding:
N |
E |
S |
1 © |
P |
2§ |
| 1ª | P |
2 ¨ |
| 1¨ | P |
2§ |
Remember, it's only a new suit bid at the two level by a non-passed hand, over a suit bid opening at the one level and Pass by opener's LHO, that is a Two Over One game force -- not over One No Trump, not over bids by opener's LHO, not a jump bid; but just a straight 2 level suit bid over a 1 level suit opening, such as 2 Diamonds over 1 Heart.
Not Two Over One. These are not Two Over One game force calls by South:
N |
E |
S |
1 ª |
P |
2 ª |
| 1© | 1ª |
2§ |
| 1© | P |
3© |
| 1© | P | 2ª |
For responder hands which don't have values for a Two Over One call, 1 Notrump is used as a catch-all bid and it's forcing for one round.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved