The Multi 2 Diamonds opening was devised in the 1960s by Mr. Terence Reese and Mr. Jeremy Flint (* see following insert), assisted by fellow bridge partners Mr. Robert Sheehan, Mr. Jonathan Cansino and Mr. Irving Rose. The concept behind this opening is to make the interference by the opponents difficult and to obstruct their line of communication by an opening on the Two Level. Another reason for the 2 Diamonds opening is to prevent the opponents from immediately discovering which Major suit is designated by the opening. A line of defense then becomes more difficult, since the suit is unknown as well as the general strength of the opener.

According to ACBL regulations, the Multi Two Diamonds may be employed in national-rated bridge events and in stand-alone Flight A events at regionals, or in the top brackets of a regional knockout as long as the average masterpoint holding of the lowest team in a bracket is more than 1000 points and the sponsor permits such agreements.

The Multi Two Diamonds convention could be allowed or permitted at a sectional as long as the sponso approves and publicizes the fact that this convention is approved.

Bridge Clubs have the right to designate what conventions they will allow and permit and ACBL does not regulate their decisions in this regard.

In all cases involving ACBL-sanctioned tournaments where the use of Multi Two Diamonds is permitted, the pair using the convention must have a copy of the approved written defenses available. These defenses can be obtained from the website of ACBL. Also: .pdf file.

Contributed by Mr. Brendan Conlon - April 2001 The Dreaded Multi Bridge by Tom Gibson During the early 60s the late John Grummit of Hollywood Co. Down (Northern Ireland) was unknown to H M Government, engaged in secret research into a deadly new weapon. As the project neared completion he called for the technical assistance of Jimmy Clarke and after some modification he had invented the Hollywood Two Diamonds bid. Sometime around 1964/5 John wrote to Terence Reese about his new bid. Reese liked it, gave it great publicity and in the process renamed it the Multicoloured Two Diamonds. Thus Reese has generally been credited with its discovery but now you know better. Naturally, with a name like Reese behind it the bid quickly became very popular. It can show three different types of hand, either a weak two in a major a strong balanced hand or any 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 shape 17-24 points. For a long time opponents did not know how to cope with it as they were unsure whether a weak or strong hand was lurking behind it. This inability to compete effectively meant that proponents of the Multi obtained a disproportionate amount of good results, adding to its allure. In order to outline a defence we must first of all examine its basic mechanics. Nowadays, most Acol players here use the Multi to show either a weak (Benjamin) two in a major or a strong 4-4-4-1 shape. Responses are geared to the assumption that it is a weak two, and there is no logical reason why a defence should not be geared similarly. Responder's usual actions opposite a 2D opening are: 2H - sign-off if a partner has a weak two in hearts 2S - ditto if partner has Spades but game-invitational if he has Hearts 2NT-forcing, asks opener to describe his hand. The following is the defence used by many senior partnerships. It is both fairly natural and easy to follow. Remember the Multi is only effective if you and your partner have no agreed defence to it. Once you have this it becomes a paper tiger. 1. 2D is opened on your right a. 2H/S - shows the suit bid plus the minors (i.e. the equivalent to a take-out double of the other major) b. 3C/D - natural c. 2NT - balanced hand, 17-19 points d. dbl - ditto 12-16 points 2. After 2D-P-2H-? a. Double - shows a good hand with hearts b. 2S - natural c. 2NT - as above d. 3C - take-out, showing hearts 3. After 2D-P-2S-? a. Double shows a good hand with Spades b. 2NT - as above c. 3C - take-out showing short Spades 4. After 2D-P-2H-P-P-? or 2D-P-2S-P-P-? In the first auction opener has a weak two in hearts and in the second one he has a weak two in spades. a. Double is for penalties b. 2NT - shows the minors c. 3C/D - shows the suit bid plus the unbid major (5/5)

1. Weak Two Bid in either of the two Major suits

2. or a balanced hand with enormous values

3. or a strong 4-4-4-1 distribution

4. or a strong Two Bid in a Minor suit

A distinct disadvantage of the Multi 2 Diamonds opening is that the partner sometimes is unable also to choose the best immediate line of response, such as in making a preemptive raise, if weak, of the intended Major suit, which is still unknown to the partner after the opening. Based on the assumption that the opener could have a balanced holding and/or distributional holding with strong values, the partner is forced to make a compromising, artificial bid to await further information. This compromising, artificial bid allows the opponents to enter the bidding process.

A second disadvantage is the fact that the opponents also have a more successful chance to enter the auction if the opener first bids a Multi 2 Diamonds, than had the opener opened the auction with a weak 2 Hearts or 2 Spades bid, forcing the opponents to enter the auction perhaps on the Three Level.

However, there are definite advantages to the concept behind a Multi 2 Diamonds opening. If the holding is weak and the opener does indeed have a Weak Two Bid in one of the Major suits, then the opponents do not have the opportunity to cuebid any Major suit, since the Major suit of the opener is unknown. If the responder has a strong holding, it is quite possible that the responder may become declarer, who may be able to protect a tenace or a side suit King-small.

Another advantage is that the contract could be played in Diamonds, if the responder considers Diamonds the better suit than a Major suit. The opener may not employ Multi Two Diamonds with a Diamond void. Using Multi 2 Diamonds frees the opening bids and/or the bids of 2 Hearts and 2 Spades, which become idle bids after agreeing to play Multi 2 Diamonds and which may be used for other purposes, such as Acol Two-Bids. These idle bids could also be assigned, for example, an opening of 2 Hearts as meaning Flannery 2 Diamonds, and a 2 Spades opening could be used to describe a two-suited holding in both Minor suits and only distributional values. Remember, these examples of employing the idle bids of 2 Hearts and 2 Spades are only examples, not guidelines.

Since the original version of the Multi 2 Diamonds method underwent refinements almost immediately after its original version was made known, there have arisen many variations on the responses by the responder and rebids by the opener to communicate additional information within the partnership. It is impossible to represent all variations on this method, either for a tailored individual partnership or for a tailored national partnership understanding. Many variations are based entirely on a partnership understanding and these vary from country to country.

The following outlines represent only guidelines of partnership understandings, which have arisen to create a foundation for the employment of a Multi 2 Diamonds opening. They are not rules etched in stone, and the individual partnership must decide for itself the advantages and disadvantages of any chosen variation and/or variants of the concept.

After opening a Multi 2 Diamonds bid, the responder realizes that there can be generally 4 different types of hands that the opener, his partner, may have. The responder generally assumes that his partner has a Weak Two Bid in either of the Major suits and responds according to the assumption that his partner is weak.

Opener		Responder
2		2

A response of 2 Hearts can communicate several different meanings:

Opener		Responder
2		2

Opener		Responder
2		2 NT

1. Weak Two Bid in either of the two Major suits

2. or a balanced hand with enormous values

3. or a strong 4-4-4-1 distribution

4. or a strong Two Bid in a Minor suit

The responder holds sufficient values to reach the three level, even opposite a Weak Two holding in either of the two Major suits. A response of 2 No Trump may also be entirely a tool of obstruction in the auction aimed at the defenders, who may wish to enter the auction, but will have to do so on the three level.

Opener		Responder
2		3 /

Either of these responses are considered invitational and/or forcing depending upon the partnership agreement. Both responses shows sufficient values to enter the three level and at least a 4-card suit in the suit bid.

Opener		Responder
2		3 /

In the Multi 2 Diamonds method, any response of 3 Hearts and/or 3 Spades are considered to be bids, which the opener can correct. The opener can correct the response by 1. passing the bid suit or corrects to the other suit with a minimum values, or 2. can correct, for example, by jumping to game in Spades with maximum values after a 3 Hearts response. These responses are not to be considered preemptive in nature.

Opener		Responder
2		3 NT

Opener		Responder
2		4
4		4

Opener		Responder
2		4

Opener		Responder
2		4 /

Any defense to a Multi 2 Diamonds opening becomes a matter of partnership agreement and must be based on the principle of which seat and/or position at the table decides to defend and/or enter the auction. This element is paramount in deciding the significance of any overcall. Any defense mechanism is also a matter of partnership agreement, but the partnership should determine whether an initial pass in the immediate seat, in order to discover the suit of the opener, followed by a bid equals a valid bid or an act of balancing. Also, the partnership must determine in advance the meanings of any 1. double, 2. the bid of any unbid suit plus No Trump, and 3. the significance of any overcall on the three level. Several operable defense options are listed below and may serve as the foundation for a partnership understanding.

1. Any Double of a Multi 2 Diamonds opening by the First Seat is a Takeout Double.

South		West		Meaning
2		Double		Takeout Double.
		2		The same as a Takeout Double of a weak 2 opening.
		2		Natural and shows a 5-card Spade suit.
		2 NT		Balanced distribution and 16-19 HCPs.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates more values than 2.
		3 NT		To play; possibly a good Minor trick-taking suit.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Heart suit and 5-card Club suit *.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Heart suit and 5-card Diamond suit *.
		4		Natural and shows a 5-card Heart suit; stronger values than 3.
		4		Natural and shows a 5-card Spade suit; stronger values than 3.
		4 NT		Promises a strong two-suited holding with both Minor suits **.

* With a 5-card Spade suit and a 5-card Spade suit, the recommendation is to Pass first, followed by a first bid of 4 Clubs, if possible.

** With lesser values, an immediate overcall of 3 Diamonds, followed by a rebid of 4 Clubs, if possible, should be understood to mean the same thing, a two-suiter in both Minor suits.

South		West		Meaning
2		Double		Shows a strong No Trump of 16-18 HCPs.
		2		The same as a Takeout Double of a weak 2 opening.
		2		The same as a Takeout Double of a weak 2 opening.
		2 NT		Promises a two-suited holding with both Minor suits.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3 NT		To play; possibly a good Minor trick-taking suit.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Major suit and 5-card Club suit.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Major suit and 5-card Diamond suit.

South		West		Meaning
2		Double		Shows a No Trump range of 13-16 HCPs or
		Double		Shows a holding of 19 HCPs plus, any shape.
		2		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		2		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		2 NT		Shows a No Trump range of 16-18 HCPs.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3		Natural and indicates an opening bid.
		3 NT		To play; possibly a good Minor trick-taking suit.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Major suit and 5-card Club suit.
		4		Strong values with 5-card Major suit and 5-card Diamond suit.

North	West	South	East
2	Pass	2
		or: 2

East, in the Fourth Seat, must realize from the responses by South that these responses indicate that South has most likely bid the shorter Major in his holding, especially if South responds 2 Hearts. Any defense mechanism, initiated in the Fourth Seat and/or partnership understanding must consider this response based on this almost certainty. It is recommended that if Fourth Seat enters the auction, then all suit bids should be considered natural as well as any No Trump bid. A Double should be considered to be a Two-Way, either 1. as a Takeout Double, or 2. as Penalty. The point count should be near a standard opening bid and the shape should be considerably unbalanced as in a three-suited hand with at least a 3-card suit in the suits not determined by the Multi 2 Diamonds opener. If the opener clarifies his holding either by passing or correcting, then the partner of the player in Fourth Seat will immediately become aware of the intended suits, especially the Major suit. After this realization the partner of the Fourth Seat player can easily determine whether the double is for Takeout or for Penalty.

North	West	South	East
2	Pass	2	Pass
		or: 2
Pass	?

it is apparent that West is in the Balancing Position. It is also apparent that North and South are satisfied to play the contract on the Two Level in either one of the two Major suits. This also carries the information that both North and South hold weak to moderately weak hands and/or values. The possibility remains that West is in a position to balance. If this is the case, then most balancing bids are to be considered as natural. There are several specific bids possible as illustrated below:

North	West	South	East
2	Pass	2	Pass
Pass	2 NT			Shows a Limited Minor Two-suited holding.
	3			Shows a Two-suiter with Clubs and Spades.
	3			Shows a Two-suiter with Diamonds and Spades.

whereas in the following bidding sequence:

North	West	South	East
2	Pass	2	Pass
Pass	2 NT			Shows a Limited Minor Two-suited holding.
	3			Shows a Two-suiter with Clubs and Hearts.
	3			Shows a Two-suiter with Diamonds and Hearts.

There are more features, however not fundamental, to the defense strategy, but they are mainly a consideration of partnership agreement and should be considered under this aspect.

1. Weak Two Bid in either of the two Major suits

2. a strong holding with 20 plus high card points

3. a 3-suited holding of 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 shape

The continuing auction appears below with the corresponding alternative communication.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		2		Relay response.
		2		Invitation to game opposite a good Weak Two in Hearts.
		2 NT		Relay, 14+HCPs, asking.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		2		Relay response.
2				Weak Two in Spade.
Pass				Weak Two in Hearts.
3				3-suited holding with singleton Club or void.
3				3-suited holding with singleton Diamond or void.
3				3-suited holding with singleton Heart or void.
3				3-suited holding with singleton Spade or void.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		2 NT		Relay, 14+HCPs, asking.
3				Poor Weak Two in Hearts.
3				Poor Weak Two in Spades.
3				Moderate Weak Two in Spades.
3				Moderate Weak Two in Hearts.
4				3-suited holding with singleton Club or void.
4				3-suited holding with singleton Diamond or void.
4				3-suited holding with singleton Heart or void.
4				3-suited holding with singleton Spade or void.

An alternative method of responding has been suggested by Mr. Barry Rigal and Dr. Chris Ryall of England. This method can be viewed on his website. It is also the recommendation of Mr. Barry Rigal and Dr. Chris Ryall that the individual partnership must discuss what to do over opponents doubles and overcalls.

Opener		2. Position		Meaning
2		Double		Either 12-16 HCPs, balanced or any 20+ HCPs hand.
		2		Takeout of Spades with at least four Hearts, non-forcing.
		2		Takeout of Hearts with at least four Hearts, non-forcing.
		2 NT		17-20 HCPs, balanced distribution.
		3 suit		12-16 HCPs and a good 6-card suit.
		3 NT		To play.
		4		Strong Major-Minor two-suiter.
		4		Strong Major two-suiter.
		4		To play.
		4		To play.
		4 NT		Strong Minor two-suiter.
		5		To play.
		5		To play.

In responding to a double of a Multi 2 Diamonds opening, the responder may bid:

Opener	Overcaller	Partner	Responder	Meaning
2	Double	Pass	2 NT	Lebensohl

The overcaller, however, rebids naturally to show a balanced holding of 20 plus high card points, generally the cheapest available