When opponents open a weak 2, a major objective is to be pre-emptive, to constrict our bidding space with the result that we have difficulty in locating our optimum contract.
In such circumstances, it is particularly important that our bids are well-defined, and that partner is working to the same definition.
I'm following Mike Lawrence's rule of thumb: overcaller should assume that responder holds 7 average [not perfectly-placed] points, and bid accordingly. Similarly, responder should bid or not in the light of partner already having placed him with a 7-count, so he needs to be better than this to bid on.
| Bid | Meaning | Responses |
| Double | 12+ HCP, short hearts, take-out, should have 4 spades. Could be 11 HCP if 4-1-4-4 or better. | 2♠ 0-7 with 4+ spades. Lebensohl 2NT with 0-7. 3♠ 8-11 with four spades, 3-other 8+ forcing |
| 2♠ | 11+ with 5+ spades, not good enough for 3♠ | 3♠ is invitational. 2NT is also invitational. 3-new-suit is forcing. Heart cue-bid is forcing with spade support. |
| 2NT | 16-18 with spade stop, non-forcing | As for opening 2NT, adjusted for point count |
| 3♣/♦ | 15+ with 5+ [preferably 6+] in bid suit | Pass unless significantly better than average 7-count. 3♠ is forcing with 5+ spades. |
| 3♠ | 15+ with 6-card suit, non-forcing | Raise to game. Heart cue-bid is stronger. |
| 3♥ | Please bid 3NT with heart stop. I have a strong minor. | Without a stop, bid 4♣ with a lousy hand, 4♦ with something useful. |
| 3NT | Expect to make 9 tricks opposite average 7-count | Bid on if strong. |
| 4♣/♦ | Leaping Michaels, min 5-5 in spades & bid suit, 18+, GF | Bid game in preferred suit or cue-bid one of partner's non-suits, nearest to show slam interest in spades, other to show slam interest in partner's minor. |
| 4♥ | Unusual no trump - stronger than 4NT | Bid 6 if able to add a trick to overcaller's known 11 |
| 4♠ | Expect to make 10 tricks opposite average 7-count. | Enquiry via cue-bid or 4NT if much better than average 7-count |
| 4NT | At least 5-5 in both minors [but see 4♥] | Bid 5 of better minor. |
| 5♣/♦ | Expect to make 11 tricks opposite average 7-count | Bid slam with much better than average 7-count and 1st-round controls |
Note that in protective position overcaller may be a king weaker.