TWO DIAMONDS OPENING
In the Universal Club bidding system, origin unknown, the opening of 2 Diamonds has been assigned a specific meaning. This opening bid promises a three-suited holding. The required point count is between 16 and 21 high card points. This opening demands that the Diamond suit be one of the three suits as opposed to the 2 Clubs opening bid, which shows Diamond shortage. This opening bid of 2 Diamonds is considered non-forcing, which is illustrated in the example below.
West East
AKQ7 3 KJ105 AQ63
64 Q652 Q863 1075 2 Pass
Since East knows that West has no Diamond shortage and that the shortage is in another suit, East must pass the opening bid of 2 Diamonds since a fit has already been found, possibly the best fit. To continue the auction would be fruitless since East realizes that there is no possible fit in any of the other suits besides Hearts, which could be the suit, in which West is short. For this reason, an opening of 2 Diamonds is not forcing.
If East has sufficient values and a good distribution in two other suits, one of which will become a fit with West, then East must bid 2 Hearts. This bid is artificial and forcing for one round. Since only one of the suits held by West is known, East must demand that West describe his holding further. In order to accomplish this, West has the following bids to describe his short suit with the bids outlined below.
Opener Responder Meaning 2 2 Forcing 2 Promises shortage in Spades 2 NT Promises shortage in Hearts 3 Promises shortage in Clubs
As soon as the responder has a discovered the short suit, then the responder can determine the final contract. If the responder, having sufficient values only for the three level, rebids one of the known fits, or has the opportunity to bid 2 No Trump after a rebid of 2 Spades, then this second response invites the opener to bid game when holding the maximum values of 12-21 high card points. Otherwise, with sufficient values, the responder simply bids game since the minimum values of the opener is known. With possible slam opportunities, the responder should explore slam.
In the case that the responder is weak, as mentioned, the responder may pass the 2 Diamonds opening bid. If the responder wishes to sign off in one of the other suits held by the opener, the responder makes the cheapest non-forcing bid, which may be the suit, in which the opener is short. If not, the opener passes. Otherwise, the opener will continue the bidding on the same level, if possible, and the responder will pass. If the opponents interfere, then the general guideline is to defend, especially if the interference is on the three level.
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.