The opener's bid of 2 ♣ is an artifical, DEMAND bid which indicates strength only. The partnership is still looking for a suit to play.
The 2 ♣ bid must be the opening bid. If there is a prior bid, the 2 ♣ bid is an overcall and is considered to be a normal bid.
Yellow Card Bidding System Mantra ● First, determine which suit to play - then determine the contract level to play. ● Try to play a contract in the following priority:
1) Play a MAJOR suit contract.
2) Play a NO TRUMP contract.
3) Play a MINOR suit contract as a last resort.
Since the opener holds 22+ points (over half of the points in the deck), it is normal for the other players, including the responder, to have weak hands that would usually bid a PASS. In this situation, the responder must ensure the opener is not left in this artifical bid and must keep the bidding open. The responder must respond with a bid, even with zero points.
The opener has 22+ HCPS. There are 18 HCPs that are spread over three hands. If evenly distributed, each hand holds 6-⅔ HCPs. The responder chooses one of two paths for responding. Each path has a unique sequence of bids.
Path 1 - 0 to 7 HCPs
Will play a game or sub-game contract, but not a slam.
With 0 to 7 HCPs the responder bids 2 ♦ . This is the most common point range and response . This is an artificial bid referred to as the 2 Diamonds Waiting Convention. Even with zero points, this convention keeps the bidding open for the stronger 2 ♣ opening hand to bid again. The opener can bid its preferred suit, thereby making the opener the declarer and keeping the stronger hand out of the dummy.
Path 2 - 8+HCPs
Will definately play a game contract, and possibly a slam.
With 8+HCPs the responder uses natural bids based upon point range and hand shape. By using this path, the responder might mention the trump suit first, making the weaker responder the declarer and placing the stronger hand in the dummy. This is a trade-off, but worth the risk since it will not likely be used that often.
The opener knows the responder less than 8 HCPs, but knows nothing about the responder's suit length. The opener also knows the partnership will play either a game-level or sub-game level contract. A slam contract is out of reach. The opener's next bid reveals the opener's suit length and point count so the opener will be the declarer of the contract:
Opener's Response to 2 ♦ Waiting
Opener's Shape
Opener's Point Count & Bid
22
23
24
25
26
27
5+card Major
2 ♥ or 2 ♠
3 ♥ or 3 ♠
NO 5+card Suit (Balanced)
2 NT
3 NT
5+card Minor
3 ♣ or 3 ♦ *
4 ♣ or 4 ♦ *
* Note: If the opener bids diamonds, the responder is the declarer and the strong opener's hand will be exposed in the dummy.
Path 1 - Responder's next bid that Reveals Point Count Range and Shape
The responder's next bid reveals the responder's point count range and suit length. In many cases, it will be the last bid which sets the final contract.
Opener's Previous Bid (22-24 HCPs)
Responder's Shape
Responder's Point Count & Bid
0-2
3-7 (game level points)
2 ♥ or 2 ♠
3+card Suit Support
PASS Play 2-level Major
4 ♥ or 4 ♠
4+card other major
Other Major at Lowest Level 3 ♥ or 3 ♠
NO Suit Support
3 NT
2 NT
5+card Major
3 ♦ (Xfr to ♥ ) or 3 ♥ (Xfr to ♠ )
4-card Major
PASS Play 2 NT
3 ♣ Stayman
NO 4+card Major
3 NT
3 ♣ or 3 ♦
4+major
PASS Play 3-level Minor
3 ♥ or 3 ♠
3+ Suit Support
3 NT
Balanced
3 NT
22-24
25-29
Minimum Partnership Points (assume opener has 22 points)
In the event the opener has an unusually strong hand (25 to 27 points) and makes a higher level bid at step 2, the responder makes the final bid to set the contract:
Opener's Previous Bid (25-27 HCP)
Responder's Shape
Responder's Point Count & Bid
0-2
3-7 (game level points)
3 ♥ or 3 ♠
3+ Suit Support
4 ♥ or 4 ♠
NO Suit Support
3 NT
3 NT
Does not matter
PASS
4 ♣ or 4 ♦
3+ Suit Support
4 NT (Natural)
5 ♣ or 5 ♦
NO Suit Support
4 NT (Natural)
25-27
28-33
Minimum Partnership Points (assume opener has 25 points)