Multi 2D Bridge Convention: The Wild Card Preempt That Drives Opponents Crazy

You’re sitting West. North opens 2♦. South passes. You have a decent hand and want to compete, but there’s a problem: you have no idea what North actually has.

Could be six hearts. Could be six spades. You don’t know which major, and that makes every decision a guess. Welcome to Multi 2♦, one of bridge’s most disruptive conventions.

What Is Multi 2♦?

Multi 2♦ (officially “Multi-coloured 2♦”) is an artificial opening bid of 2♦ that shows a weak two bid in an unknown major suit. When you open Multi 2♦, you’re telling partner: “I have a standard weak two in either hearts or spades - six cards, 5-10 HCP, decent suit - but I’m not telling you which one yet.”

The basic structure:

2♦ opening shows:

• Six hearts OR six spades (not both, not neither)
• 5-10 HCP (weak two range)
• Decent suit quality (two of the top three honors or three of the top five)

Partner will ask which major you have, and you’ll reveal it on your rebid. Until then, the opponents are flying blind.

Unlike standard weak two bids where 2♥ shows hearts and 2♠ shows spades, Multi keeps them guessing. That one bid of uncertainty can wreck their entire auction.

Why Play Multi 2♦?

Multi has two main advantages over standard weak twos:

1. Maximum Preemptive Effect

When opponents know your suit (standard 2♥ or 2♠), they can make informed decisions. They know if they have a fit, they know if your suit is their best fit, they know where their values are.

With Multi, they’re paralyzed. If they double or overcall, they might be stepping into your suit. If they have hearts and you have hearts, their bid could be a disaster. That uncertainty costs them bidding space and forces errors.

2. Efficiency in Bidding Structure

Multi frees up 2♥ and 2♠ for other uses. Many partnerships use these openings for strong hands, intermediate two-suiters, or other specialty treatments. Multi consolidates both weak major-suit preempts into one bid, creating room for more toys.

The downside? You give up the natural 2♦ weak two. Some partnerships play “Ekren 2♦” showing both majors, but classic Multi sacrifices diamonds entirely.

History and Popularity

Multi 2♦ was developed in the 1960s by British theorists Terence Reese and Jeremy Flint. The name “Multi-coloured” refers to showing either red (hearts) or black (spades).

Europe: Standard in most countries. Expected at clubs in France, Netherlands, Italy, Scandinavia.

Asia/Australia: Common in serious partnerships and tournaments.

United States: Multi is NOT allowed in most ACBL events - only higher-level competitions. ACBL views it as too disruptive for club players. Legal in non-ACBL events and online bridge. Know the rules before using it.

Requirements for Opening Multi 2♦

Multi 2♦ has the same requirements as a standard weak two bid - just in an undisclosed major:

1. Six-Card Major Suit

You must have exactly six hearts OR exactly six spades. Not both (that’s a different hand type). Not five cards (too weak). Not seven cards (that’s a three-level preempt).

2. 5-10 High Card Points

Standard weak two range. Too strong (11+ HCP) and you should open at the one-level. Too weak (under 5 HCP) and you risk donating points.

Most Multi 2♦ openings are 6-9 HCP.

3. Decent Suit Quality

Your suit should be respectable - ideally two of the top three honors (A-K, A-Q, or K-Q) or three of the top five honors. You don’t want to preempt with garbage and find partner raising you into disaster.

Good Multi 2♦ hands:

• ♥K-Q-J-9-6-3 with 8 HCP
• ♠A-Q-10-8-6-4 with 9 HCP

Bad Multi 2♦ hands:

• ♥J-9-7-6-5-3 (terrible suit)
• ♠K-Q-J-9-6-3 with 12 HCP (too strong, open 1♠)

Responding to Multi 2♦

When partner opens Multi 2♦, you’re the captain. Partner has shown 6-10 HCP and a six-card major. Your job is to place the contract or ask which major they have.

2♥ - Pass or Correct

The most common response. This says: “I’m OK with hearts. If you have hearts, pass. If you have spades, bid 2♠.”

You bid 2♥ when:

• You have equal length in the majors (two hearts, two spades)
• You have better hearts than spades (three hearts, two spades)
• You’re weak and want to play 2 of a major

Example: You hold ♥8-3-2 ♠9-6 ♦K-7-4-2 ♣Q-8-6-3 (5 HCP)

Bid 2♥. If partner has hearts, you play 2♥. If partner has spades, they’ll correct to 2♠. Either way, you’re at the two-level in their suit.

2♠ - Pass or Correct to Hearts

Less common but important. This says: “I’m OK with spades. If you have spades, pass. If you have hearts, bid 3♥.”

Wait - 3♥? Yes. If you bid 2♠ and partner has hearts, they have to go to the three-level. That’s why this response shows some values or good spade length.

When to bid 2♠:

• You have much better spades than hearts (four spades, one heart)
• You have enough to handle the three-level if partner has hearts

Example: ♠K-Q-7-3 ♥6 ♦A-8-6-4 ♣9-7-4-2 (8 HCP)

Bid 2♠. If partner has spades, perfect. If partner has hearts, you can afford 3♥ with your 8 points.

2NT - Asking Bid (Forcing)

Artificial and forcing. This asks partner: “Which major do you have, and how good is your hand?”

Partner responds:

• 3♣ = Hearts, minimum (5-7 HCP)
• 3♦ = Spades, minimum (5-7 HCP)
• 3♥ = Hearts, maximum (8-10 HCP)
• 3♠ = Spades, maximum (8-10 HCP)

Use 2NT when you have game interest and need to know both which major and how strong partner is.

Example: ♠A-Q-8-3 ♥K-J-7-2 ♦A-6 ♣K-8-3 (16 HCP)

Bid 2NT. If partner shows a maximum in either major, you’ll bid game. If minimum, you’ll stop at the three-level.

3♣ or 3♦ - Natural, Preemptive

Shows a long minor (usually 6+ cards) and weak hand. Asking partner to pass. You’re preempting further based on your long suit.

Use this when you have a weak hand with a long minor and don’t care which major partner has.

3♥ or 3♠ - Preemptive Raise

Shows four-card support for that major and weak values. You’re raising the preempt to the three-level, making life harder for opponents.

3♥ = “I have four hearts. If you have hearts, pass. If you have spades, correct to 3♠ (showing you have four spades too).”

This is based on the Law of Total Tricks - with ten trumps, you can afford the three-level.

4♥ or 4♠ - Game

To play. You’re betting that major is partner’s suit and you have enough for game.

Example: ♠A-K-Q-3 ♥8-2 ♦A-J-9-4 ♣K-8-3 (16 HCP)

Bid 4♠. If partner has spades, you’re in the right game. If partner has hearts, they’ll correct to 4♥ or 5♥ depending on partnership methods (or just play 4♠ if that’s the agreement - discuss this!).

Opener’s Rebids Revealing Their Suit

After partner responds, opener clarifies which major they have.

After 2♥ (Pass or Correct)

• Pass = I have hearts
• 2♠ = I have spades

After 2♠ (Pass or Correct to Hearts)

• Pass = I have spades
• 3♥ = I have hearts (three-level)

After 2NT (Asking Bid)

• 3♣ = Hearts, minimum (5-7 HCP)
• 3♦ = Spades, minimum (5-7 HCP)
• 3♥ = Hearts, maximum (8-10 HCP)
• 3♠ = Spades, maximum (8-10 HCP)

Defensive Methods Against Multi 2♦

When opponents open Multi 2♦, you need a plan. Most pairs use one of these defensive methods:

Natural Overcalls (Simple)

• Double = Takeout of both majors (minors or strong)
• 2♥/2♠ = Natural, five+ cards
• 2NT = Strong balanced (15-18 HCP)
• 3♣/3♦ = Natural, six+ cards

Unusual Style (Advanced)

• Double = Both majors or strong hand
• 2NT = Both minors
• 3♣/3♦ = Natural

The key is having clear agreements with partner.

When in Doubt, Pass

If you don’t have a clear action against Multi, pass. Let them declare at the two or three level. Multi gives them less bidding room, which means:

• They might miss game
• They might be in a bad trump fit
• You might get a plus on defense

Don’t feel obligated to compete just because they opened Multi.

Variations of Multi

Multi has spawned numerous variations:

Mini-Multi

Shows weak two in a major OR strong balanced (20-22 HCP) OR other hand types. Popular in Poland. More ambiguous but requires complex agreements.

Maxi-Multi

Shows weak two in a major OR intermediate two-suiter (11-15 HCP, 5-5+). Uses 2♦ for both preemptive and constructive hands.

Ekren 2♦

Shows both majors (4-4 or 5-4) instead of a weak two in one major. Different convention from classic Multi.

Example Hands and Auctions

Example 1: Simple Pass or Correct

Opener: ♠K-Q-J-9-6-3 ♥8-2 ♦7-4 ♣Q-6-3 (8 HCP)
Responder: ♥A-7-3 ♠10-4 ♦K-9-6-2 ♣K-8-4-2 (10 HCP)

Responder bids 2♥ (pass or correct). Opener has spades, so corrects to 2♠. Contract: 2♠, making 8 tricks.

Example 2: Finding Game with 2NT

Opener: ♥A-K-J-10-6-3 ♠7-2 ♦Q-4 ♣8-6-3 (10 HCP, maximum)
Responder: ♥Q-8-4-2 ♠A-K ♦A-J-9-3 ♣K-7-2 (16 HCP)

Responder asks with 2NT. Opener shows hearts and maximum (3♥). Responder bids game. Makes 10 tricks with the good fit.

Example 3: Wrong Major, Going Higher

Opener: ♥A-Q-J-9-6-3 ♠7-2 ♦K-4 ♣8-6-3 (9 HCP)
Responder: ♠K-Q-7-3 ♥8 ♦A-9-6-2 ♣K-7-4-2 (11 HCP)

Responder prefers spades and has values for the three-level, bids 2♠. Opener has hearts, corrects to 3♥. Not ideal, but the auction worked as designed.

Example 4: Stopping in Part-Score

Opener: ♠K-J-10-8-6-3 ♥7-2 ♦Q-4 ♣K-6-3 (8 HCP)
Responder: ♠7-2 ♥K-8-3 ♦J-9-6-2 ♣Q-8-4-2 (6 HCP)

Responder bids 2♥ (pass or correct). Opener has spades, corrects to 2♠. Responder has weak hand with only doubleton spades but passes anyway - game is unlikely and 2♠ should make 7-8 tricks.

When Multi Is NOT Allowed - ACBL Restrictions

ACBL General Chart (NOT allowed):

• Club games
• Sectionals
• Most Regional tournaments
• Most NABC events

Mid-Chart Events (MAY be allowed):

• Some Regional knockouts
• Higher-level competitions

Why? ACBL considers Multi too difficult for club players to defend. Critics call this paternalistic; supporters say it protects casual games.

Bottom line: Putting Multi on your card at an ACBL club game gets a director call. Check event conditions before using it.

Online: BBO allows Multi in casual games. ACBL-sanctioned online events follow ACBL rules - check restrictions.

Common Mistakes with Multi

Opening with 5 cards: Multi promises six. Don’t misdescribe your hand.

Opening with 11+ HCP: Too strong. Open at the one-level instead.

2NT without game interest: 2NT is forcing. With weak hands, use 2♥ (pass or correct).

Forgetting to alert: Multi must be alerted as artificial.

No defensive methods: Discuss your defense against opponents’ Multi before it comes up.

Using at ACBL clubs: Not allowed. Use standard weak twos.

Is Multi Right for You?

Use Multi if you play non-ACBL events, have a regular partnership, and want maximum preemptive effect.

Skip it if you play ACBL events (not legal), prefer natural bidding, or play with random partners.

Multi is a specialist’s tool. Both partners must understand responses, rebids, and defensive methods. Used well, it disrupts opponents effectively. Used poorly or illegally, it creates disasters.

Playing against Multi? Use your defensive methods, don’t panic, and remember - pass is always an option. Sometimes the best defense is letting them play it and beating careful defense.