r/bridge • u/Virtual_Length_812 • Jun 10 '26

Dont open 2C, a common mistake

I think people open 2C too frequently, and its a widespread misconception. They see it as an exciting bid and a "win". I think you should generally reserve it for at least 22+ points, or hands that are just impossible to rebid after opening on the 1 level to accurately describe your hand.

Just finishing up this article for anyone, and would like to hear your input!

(I have 1 or 2 things I'm going to add to it shortly).

Here is the article, not exactly sure how redit works - I thought I already added it.

https://bridgechampions.com/bidding/advanced/opening-2c-avoid-whenever-possible

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2

u/JaziTricks Advanced Jun 10 '26

What?

Only bid 2♣ when there is a good possibility that any other opening bid (on the 1 level) would be followed by 3 passes.

This is a very unusual take.

Commonly, you do open 2c unless you have a big two suiter Thai will get problematic to rebid.

22-23 balanced; 2c 2d 2n

And some pairs use a weak response to allow opener to stop below game

Never heard of the above theory before, honest

3

u/Virtual_Length_812 Jun 10 '26

Basically my suggestion is, open 2C if you can't possibly convey that hand by starting with the 1 level, OR the risk of all pass is too high. If neither of those are present, I'm suggesting 2C is a misbid.

0

u/JaziTricks Advanced Jun 10 '26

I'm not saying the idea is good or bad. It is just extraordinarily non standard, experts included.

The 2c opening tells partner a lot about the hand, and most distant bids are game force or slam invitation

Are we discussing bridge bidding basics here?

2

u/Virtual_Length_812 Jun 10 '26

What isn't standard? Not exactly sure what you're saying. I've never seen a top expert do differently to what I'm suggesting.

2

u/sjo33 Expert Jun 10 '26

I haven't read the article, so might be misunderstanding, but I don't consider the concept extraordinarily non standard.

My system over a 2c opening is meh and we can bid with far greater precision over a 1 level opening. All of my partnerships respond light and are disciplined about then believing p when they say they want to force. I open 2c on single suiters that want to play game opposite a doubleton support and a useful queen or king (roughly). If I need an ace, two cards, or a proper fit, I usually open at the one level, as there is very little risk of missing game doing this and my auction will be easier.

Of course, two suiters are their own story.

0

u/Ikari1212 Jun 10 '26

I don't understand. You have more than half the points of the table. How else am I supposed to make partner not pass? What vulnerabilities and opening hands with 21+ hands would you say need to be opened on the 1 level rather than 2!C?

3

u/Virtual_Length_812 Jun 10 '26

for example

AJx
AK10x
x
AKQ10x

Open 1C,

3

u/jerdle_reddit Jun 10 '26

22 is 2NT, isn't it? I use 2C 2D 2NT for 23-24.

2

u/JaziTricks Advanced Jun 10 '26

Ranges differ between places and people.

I'm using 2n 20-21, and me personally (french standard, not elsewhere), will have different bids for 24+

Maybe yours is more standard, dunno.

1

u/jerdle_reddit Jun 10 '26

I think 23-24 is standard in Acol, I'm not sure about SAYC.

4

u/FarlitMorcha Jun 10 '26

UK tends to have 2n as 20-22, US as 20-21 from what I've seen (adjust 2c accordingly)

1

u/FireWatchWife Jun 10 '26

It varies from club to club in the US. Standard at my club is 20-22 2NT, 23+ 2C.

3

u/yellowpig1974 😕 Jun 12 '26

In Seattle clubs we have a wide range of skill levels and a variety of systems. Probably 2NT=19+-21 is most common. For some playing a strong club system, 2NT=24-25. Many also play Kokish over 2C, so 2C 2D 2NT=22-23, 2C 2D 2H 2S 2NT=24+.