Hand of the week - 11th April 2026

The week I have chosen two hands because show the use of a convention but in slightly different ways. The convention is The Unusual 2 NTs. Which is the lowest 2 unbid suits, usually about an opening hand.

10^th April  Board 6

Dealer is E who will pass as will S. I am assuming W is a Benji 2 player which leaves the 2NT bid available for the Unusual 2NT. W bids 2NT showing both 5/5 in both minors. N should pass , E is going to bid either clubs or diamonds as he/she is 3/3 S pass.

W will bid 5 of which ever suit E bids.

Some Benji 2 players would say that you should 2C, partner should 2D and W should bid 3D. E could pass they have no guarantee of any tricks in their hand.

Acol players could also bid 2C as the hand fits the rule of 29, that is 19 hcp and longest two suits 6 + 5 = 11 total 30. But partner could pass a 3D bid.

Let’s have another look at the hand it is a two loser hand, W could disregard all of above and open 5D.

Hands below:

10th April Board 9

Dealer is N who will bid 1D. E the following

N. J

H. AQT52

D. QJ

C  AT953

He/she has two 5 cards suits, he/she needs to show his partner as quickly as possible the shape of his hand. So they bid 2NT, as Ds has been bid it shows Cs and Hs. Now, the partner knows exactly what you have. S holding  7Ss will bid 3S.

W is holding

S  53

H  K9874

D 53

C  K876

Because the E bid was very specific W knows that they 10 Hs, 9 Cs, and a total of 7 cards in the other suits. Bid 4H. At this N may decide to support S and bid 4S. E will pass as will S. W has an option he has more information than all other 3 players, He knows NS has about 10 Ss and 8 or 9 Ds. He/she has no defense to 4S so he has some options, give in meekly and pass, bid 5H as a sacrifice and hope on the off chance that they make the contract, it is possible if E has a void.

One last comment I play the Unusual 2NT both weak and strong,  so that has influenced my comments above. 10^th April Board 9

Dealer is N who will bid 1D. E the following

N. J

H. AQT52

D. QJ

C  AT953

He/she has two 5 cards suits, he/she needs to show his partner as quickly as possible the shape of his hand. So they bid 2NT, as Ds has been bid it shows Cs and Hs. Now, the partner knows exactly what you have. S holding  7Ss will bid 3S.

W is holding

S  53

H  K9874

D 53

C  K876

Because the E bid was very specific W knows that they 10 Hs, 9 Cs, and a total of 7 cards in the other suits. Bid 4H. At this N may decide to support S and bid 4S. E will pass as will S. W has an option he has more information than all other 3 players, He knows NS has about 10 Ss and 8 or 9 Ds. He/she has no defense to 4S so he has some options, give in meekly and pass, bid 5H as a sacrifice and hope on the off chance that they make the contract, it is possible if E has a void.

One last comment I play the Unusual 2NT both weak and strong,  so that has influenced my comments above.