This is the same as the Acol 2♣ opening bid i.e. a strong (23+ points) balanced hand, OR a game forcing hand. The negative bid is now 2♥. Although again you can just use this as a relay bid to see what opener has exactly. Relaying is my recommendation. Openers rebids of NT would show:

  • 2NT – 23-24 points
  • 3NT – 25-27 points
  • 4NT – 28-30 points

These bids are the only bids passable.

Let’s look at an example 2♦ opener:-

North
♠ AKQJ863
♥ K8
♦ 7
♣ AK7
South
♠ 954
♥ A2
♦ 1086432
♣ Q3

So the bidding could go:-

  • 2♦ – 2♥– 2♠ – 3♠ – 4♣ – 4♥ – 5♣ – 6♣ – 6♠.

So 6♠ is reached by cue bidding 1st 2nd and 3rd round controls in clubs. Because North is missing the ace of diamonds it’s right for south to cue bid the 3rd round control in clubs.

Another partnership agreement that people have is to show a very poor hand opposite the strong suited hand by just bidding the next suit up. Since the two diamond bid is game forcing…the auction might go something like…

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 3♦ – 3♥
  • 3NT – Pass

So 3♥ could be a 5+ card suit but can also be a negative…as you don’t want the weak hand to play it out in 3NT as they might only have game if they are playing it out.

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 3♦ – 3♥
  • 4♦ – Pass

The above sequence can be passed out

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 3♦ – 3♥
  • 3♠ – Forcing as it is a change of suit.

Some alternatives…

These are just some ideas you could choose to play…again this is down to partnership agreement.

  • 2♣ – 2♦
  • 2NT*

Shows 23-24 points.

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 2NT*

Shows 25-26 points.

  • 2♣ – 2♦
  • 3NT*

Shows 27-28 points.

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 3NT*

Shows 29-30 points!!!!! I’ve never picked up 29 points so this would be a bit crazy to play this.

  • 2♦ – 2♥
  • 3NT*

Could show a strong hand with a long minor e.g.

♠ Kx
♥ Ax
♦ Ax
♣ AKQJxxx