The 2-Over-1 system of bidding is an improvement over Standard American.
It allows the Partnership to set a game force right away, so you can go slower in the bidding and learn more about each other’s hands.
These are the characteristics of a 2/1 auction:
- Partner opens 1 of a Major.
- Responder bids a new suit at the 2-level that is not a jump.
- This creates a game force. The partnership cannot stop bidding until at least a game contract is reached.
- Responder needs to have an opening hand: at least 12-13 points, any shape.
The following bidding sequences are 2/1 auctions:
- 1H – 2C
- 1H – 2D
- 1S – 2C
- 1S – 2D
- 1S – 2H
- 1D – 2C
These are the only 2/1 sequences!
2/1 does NOT APPLY in these circumstances:
- Responder is a passed hand.
- Opponents double or bid after Opener’s bid.
- The 2-level bid is a jump.
- Any of the bids are NT.