Multi 2 Diamonds: How the Multi 2D Convention Works

The Multi 2♦ is an opening bid that shows a weak two in one of the majors without saying which. Opener has a six-card heart or spade suit and about 5-10 points; partner's first reply is usually "pass or correct", so the side stops in the right major at the lowest safe level.

Many pairs add one strong hand type to the 2♦ opening as well. The Multi frees the 2♥ and 2♠ openings for other weak hands, and it leaves the opponents guessing which major you hold. It is widely played in Britain and much of Europe and is part of Polish Club. This guide covers what the opening shows, every response, opener's rebids, sample auctions, a simple defense and how to fit it into a 2/1 card.

The basic Multi 2♦ shows one hand type:

• A weak two in hearts or spades: a six-card suit, about 5-10 high card points, the same hand you would open with a weak two bid.

That is the whole "weak only" Multi, the simplest form, and many pairs play it this way. The original versions, credited to Terence Reese and Jeremy Flint in British tournament bridge of the 1970s, also packed in strong hands: a strong balanced hand, a strong three-suiter, or an old Acol two in any suit. Modern pairs who keep a strong option usually keep just one, often a strong balanced range. Agree which, and write it on the card.

Opener's diamonds say nothing. A Multi opener may hold a void or a doubleton in diamonds, so responder must never pass 2♦ unless he has long diamonds and is happy to play there.

1. It frees 2♥ and 2♠. Once weak twos in the majors go through 2♦, the direct 2♥ and 2♠ openings can show other hands. A popular choice is a weak hand with five cards in that major and four or more in a minor (often called Muiderberg).
2. It makes the defense guess. The next player does not know which major you hold, and the opening leader often does not know until the auction is over.
3. It still puts the long suit in the declarer's hand. After 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠, opener plays the contract, as after a natural weak two, so the opening lead still comes up to his hand.

The costs: you lose the natural weak 2♦, and the opponents have an extra chance to come in, because responder's pass-or-correct bids give them a cheap double. Your own side also does not know the major at first, so responder sometimes has to guess the level.

The standard responses, assuming opener has a weak two:

The trick is to think about both majors at once. 2♥ is the weak, cautious reply: you are happy at the two level whichever major opener holds. 2♠ says you have real heart support (usually three or more) and also tolerate spades: you want the higher contract opposite hearts. Responder's raises to three and four are about the Law of Total Tricks: with a big fit in both majors, you preempt as high as the fit allows.

The 2NT inquiry shows at least an invitational hand. One common scheme:

The minimum answers name the suit at the three level so responder can pass with an invitational hand. The maximum answers leave room for responder to choose game or explore for slam. Many other schemes exist, including ones that also show suit quality as Ogust does over a natural weak two, and strong options usually start at 3NT or higher. Agree one scheme and stick to it.

South has a weak hand with no preference between the majors and bids 2♥, pass or correct. North holds spades and bids 2♠. North declares, so the opening lead comes up to the hand with the long suit.

South has four hearts and a doubleton spade. Opposite spades, 2♠ is enough; opposite hearts, South wants to be at the three level with a ten-card fit. 2♠ covers both. North, with hearts, corrects to 3♥.

South has a good hand with spade support and asks with 2NT. North shows a maximum weak two in spades with 3♦, and South bids game.

When East opens a Multi in front of you, you know East has a weak hand in one major, but not which. You need a simple agreement. One common approach:

1. Double shows a balanced 13-15 or any strong hand.
2. 2♥ or 2♠ is a natural overcall.
3. 2NT is a strong balanced hand with stoppers, about 16-18.
4. Later doubles of the major they finally show are for takeout.

Passing is often wise. Responder's next bid is usually pass or correct, so the auction tends to tell you their major before you have to commit. If West bids 2♥ and East corrects to 2♠, a double then is a takeout double of spades.

BridgeDummy articles assume 2/1 Game Force, where 2♦ is normally a natural weak two. Adding the Multi to a 2/1 card means three changes:

1. 2♦ becomes the Multi, and you lose the natural weak two in diamonds. Long diamonds then open at the three level or pass.
2. 2♥ and 2♠ need a new meaning. Without one, the Multi has no point. Weak two-suiters with five cards in the major and four or more in a minor are the usual choice.
3. The opponents need a defense, and you must explain the opening fully when asked.

Before you add it, check the event rules. The Multi is widely played in Britain and Europe, but in North America it is rarely seen and is not allowed at many club games, which use simpler convention charts.

Polish Club plays 2♦ as a Multi as standard, and many Acol pairs use it too. To compare, see what 2♦ means in every system on the free bid meaning page, then try both styles against the robots in the Bidding Room. For the rest of the preempt family, see preempts in bridge, and write your choices on your convention card.