Advanced Bridge

Lesson 9

FORCING NO TRUMP

Whenever a partnership is utilizing a 5-card Major suit opening system, it is useful, in conjunction with a 2/1 (two-over-one) Game Force, to also use a Forcing 1NT response system. This pattern helps to narrow the ranges of other bids by the responder and thus helps in otherwise difficult situations. In general, the 1NT response to an opening of 1H or 1S is forcing, and alertable, and usually exhibits a range of between 5-11 HCP’s. (Note: In some situations, the responder’s HCP range may exceed 15; that is, may be unlimited.) Opener must make a rebid, even if it be a 3-card Minor or a 4-card Heart suit. Opener’s rebid then shows both distribution and point count. Responder, then becomes the team captain, and can then place the final contract, or invite to game, or slam.

Opener’s Rebid following Responder’s 1NT Force

Opener: AKXXX AXX KXX XX 1S 1NT

2D (Minimum Opening)

AQXXX KXXX XX AX 1S 1NT

2H (Minimum Opening)

AQXX KQXXX AQ KX 1H 1NT

2S (Hand is strong enough to reverse)

AQXX KQXXXX XX X 1H 1NT

2H (Minimum Opening + 6-Hearts)

AXXXX AKX AK QXX 1S 1NT

3H (Jump shift, Game Force)

JXX AXXXXX AKX A 1H 1NT

3H (One Trick Better than Minimum +

6 or more Hearts)

AXXXX AQX AX KXX 1S 1NT

2NT (A 16-18 HCP hand inviting to 3NT)

Thus, since the 1NT force usually exhibits 5-11 HCP’s, then any 2-level response of a new suit by responder shows 12+ points and is forcing to game in all but the following sequences where both opener and responder repeat their suits evidencing a misfit:

(a) 1H 2C (b) 1S 2D

2H 3C (Not Forcing) 2S 3D (Not Forcing)

(c) 1S 2D

2S 3C (Game Force)

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Normally, under conditions where forcing NT is not employed the following response shows a wide range of between 5-10 HCP’s.

1H 2H (Support and 5-10 HCP’s)

With the use of the forcing NT, however, one can differentiate the following responses as:

(a) 1H 1NT

2C 2H (Support with 5-7 HCP’s and 10 Losing Tricks;

i.e., a hand weaker than (b) below, else a hand

holding only two trump support pieces)

(b) 1H 2H (Support with 8-10 HCP’s)(9-Losing Tricks)

------------------------------------------------- or

(c) 1S 1NT

2D 3S (Limit raise with only 3 Supporting pieces)

NOTE: Responder would have jumped to 3 Hearts directly with the

same values, but with 4 Pieces in support of Spade suit

instead.

(d) 1S “2NT” (Jacoby 2NT evidencing Support for Spades with

Opening values. Forces partnership to game or

higher if opener has extra values.)

NOTE: Some partnerships have a non-standard “Multi-2NT Response”

Bid showing a Specialized bid. This Requires Partnership

Agreement as an alternate “2NT” response.)

------------------------------------------------- or

Responder holds: XXX XX KQXXXX XX

(e) 1H 1NT (Forcing)

2C 2D (A “Drop Dead” bid evidencing a 6-card or longer suit.

(or)

X AJXXXX JXX XXX

1S 1NT (Forcing)

2D 2H (A “Drop Dead” bid evidencing a 6-card or longer suit.

------------------------------------------------- or

Responder holds: AXX KQX KQXX AXX

(e) 1S 1NT (Forcing – with intent to either jump to 4H should opener

show a minimum hand with a rebid of 2H, 2S, 2C, or 2D;

else proceed onward to a possible slam should opener

evidence a better than minimum opening values with a

rebid of 3S, 2NT, 3C, 3D, 3H, or 4S)

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