A second-layer bid of 2
or 2
normally shows five or more cards. But what if the bidder has already denied four cards, either by failing to bid, or failing to raise partner's bid, of one of the suit? For example:
| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pass | 2 | pass | ||
| 2 |
denied four hearts, so what does 2 mean? It means that the bidder has exactly three cards in the suit. Partner treats it just as a normal suit bid, and will raise it if he holds (as is quite possible) five or more hearts.| West | North | East | South | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 986 | 1 | pass | |||
| 42 | 2 | pass | 2 | pass | |
 KQ43 | ? | ||||
| A865 |
, showing a three-card suit. Opener can still be five-five in the majors and has yet to show or deny spades, so 2 is an attempt to find a major fit.