Question: We used to play Flannery 2♦, showing 4-5 in the majors and 12 –16 points, along with a response scheme. After a year, we decided that the weak 2♦ bid came up more frequently and took less overhead in our system, so we switched to that bid. In our last duplicate session, our opponents opened 2♦ (alert), “shows 1 ½ NT, (18-19 points).” That started us thinking of all of the different options available for a 2♦ opener. So what do you and the other experts recommend for the 2♦ opening?
Answer: Playing Standard American or 2/1 Game Force, the theoretically best use of the 2♦ Opener is a weak two bid based on frequency and disruption of the opponents’ bidding. The frequency is increased based on the aggressiveness of your partnerships’ preemptive bidding. I always recommend being as aggressive as your nerves (or your partner’s nerves) will allow. Anytime you can get your opponents to start their constructive bidding sequence, it is a good thing. A good general rule is if you hold a six-card or longer suit with 4-9 HCP and are breathing…preempt!
The Flannery bid does take care of one type of awkward hand of 4♠, 5♥ and 12-16 points. However, if you open 1♥ showing five hearts and partner does not bid 1♠, then you just give up on a 4-4 spade fit and treat your hand as if it is balanced. If partner can’t raise hearts and doesn’t have four spades, then his hand is full of minor suit cards. You have all of your bases covered. If partner makes a 2/1 game force, 1♥ – 2♣ – Then you can bid 2♠ to show your shape and you will not be showing extra values. Remember, there are no reverses over a 2/1 GF.
The 2♦ Opener showing a balanced 18-19 point hand is just a waste of a bid since you can open one of suit natural suit and rebid 2NT. You are still going to end up in 2NT so there is no space saving benefits of opening 2♦ instead of jumping to 2NT. But more importantly, when you open 2♦ as an artificial bid showing 18-19 balanced hand and you are looking at two small diamonds, when your left hand opponent doubles 2♦ for a lead, you just want to find the nearest fire alarm and pull it!
There are other 2♦ Opening bids but they end with the same fate as the ones above. Logic does not defend them. Stick with the preemptive 2♦ opening bid and put your bidding shoes on. See how many times you can preempt in a session. First and Third chair are the most aggressive bidding. You can pull your horns in a bit (but not too much) in Second chair and there are no preempts in Fourth chair!
