The Logic of 1NT Forcing

presents

The Logic of

1NT Forcing

by

Bernie Chazen

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2

Copyright 2006Couponmania, Inc dba

Bridge SenseAll Rights Reserved

The Logic of

1NT Forcing

by

Bernie Chazen

3

4

Table of Contents

Name or Description Page

Introduction 5 - 6

1Standard American Responses

to 1♠ or 1♥ Opening Bids7 - 13

2 1NT Forcing 14 - 15

3

Why Should Responder’s 1N

Response to 1♥ or 1♠

Opening Bids be Forcing (for one

round)?

16 - 17

4

Responder’s 1N Forcing Bid

When Responder Has a Long

(6+ card) Suit.

18 - 23

5

Opener’s Second Bid After

Partner Responds 1NT

Playing Standard American

24 - 25

6

Opener’s Second Bid After

Partner Responds 1NT

Playing 2/1 Game Forcing

26 - 27

7 1NT Forcing Quiz 1 28 - 29

8 1NT Forcing Quiz 2 30 - 31

Introduction

This is the second in a series of booklets and/or pamphlets. They go

under the name, “The Logic of ...” Hopefully, after reading a booklet,

the careful reader will find himself understanding the reasoning behind

why we play each topic the way we do. Once a player understands the

principles, the application of said principles becomes easy.

Each book is carefully structured. The theme is presented in pro-

gressively advanced chapters. This allows for a relatively inexperienced

player to learn the subject from scratch while a more experienced play-

er can zip through and review the early, easier chapters before begin-

ning serious investigation.

In addition to the various examples you will find embedded within

each chapter, there will be a short quiz at the end of each chapter.

Obviously these quizzes help the reader determine if he has really

grasped the material. These quizzes are helpful to either a self-learner

or a student in a class.

Finally, as was just alluded to, these booklets can serve as textbooks

for bridge teachers of classes at all levels. In fact, some of the teachers

themselves might find the later chapters particularly interesting.

Finally, you can get your bridge questions answered via email. To

qualify you must go to my website and register your email address for

a web subscription to my newsletter, Bridge Sense. Many of you read-

ing this booklet have already done that. Once you have subscribed (a

mere $19.95 per year), you may email me your bridge questions when-

ever you have a problem. Simply go to my website and find the form

which allows you to type in the four hands and indicate the auction and

your question. Then click and the email is sent.

My website: www.berniechazen.com

[In the course of reading this book you may find the words 2/1

Game Forcing abbreviated with 2/1 GF.]

5

Nowadays when a bridge player says he plays 2/1, he means

that the old “rule” of requiring ten HCP (High Card Points) when

responding to partner’s opening bid in a lower-ranking-suit-at-

the-two-level has been replaced by the concept of having an

opening bid instead. The value of each player knowing that his

partner has an opening bid cannot be overstated. Since each part-

ner is aware that the partnership has the values for game (two

opening bids equals 25+ HCP), the bidding can proceed to game

without any jumping to show extra values. In Standard American

such jumping took away valuable bidding space and usually made

determining the correct contract a difficult matter. The sister

booklet to this one, “The Logic of 2/1 vs Standard” discusses this

in great detail.

Responding 1NT to a minor suit opening does not differ play-

ing 2/1 GF or Standard. It still shows 6-10 HCP and it is not forc-

ing.

By requiring an opening bid to respond in a new suit (lower

than opener’s) at the two level, a special burden falls upon the

1NT response to a major. Since a 1NT response might contain as

many as 11 or even 12 HCP, it becomes obvious that such a

response must be treated differently than a Standard American

1NT response which shows at most nine or 10 HCP. Hence the

need for a booklet such as this.

If the reader’s intention is to become familiar with the 2/1

Forcing to Game System, this book is best used together with it’s

“partner,” “The Logic of 2/1 vs. Standard” by the same author.

Contact the author for details.

6

Standard American Responses

to 1ª or 1© Opening Bids

Opener Responder Meaning

1♠ 1N 5 - 10 HCP, less than three spades

1♠ 2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 10+ HCP, minors may be a 4-card

suit but hearts must be 5+

1♥ 1N 5 - 10 HCP, less than three hearts

1♥ 2♣, 2♦ 10+ HCP, minors may be 4-cards

When the response to 1♠ or 1♥ is a 2/1, the bidding is natu-

ral. Sometimes opener or responder must jump at his second turn

to show extra strength. Failure to jump with extra values might

lead to missing game. Here are some examples:

In Standard American opener would miss game with both

Responder 1 and Responder 1A if opener rebids only 2N with his

15 HCP. With a minimum 10 HCP, Responder 1 would pass the

2N bid, as would Responder 1A. So, in Standard, opener should

jump to 3N at his second turn and not bid 2N. The point is that

opener must jump to 3N at his second turn or risk missing game

since responder may be passing a 2N rebid.

7

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1

AQJ84

AJ7

QJ2

T5

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 1

K3

KQ3

T63

Q9843

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 1A

T3

KQ3

T63

AJ982

Auction 1

Opener 1 Resp 1

1♠ 2♣

2N Pass

Auction 1A

Opener 1 Resp 1A

1♠ 2♣

2N Pass

In the examples below, responder must choose to jump or not tojump at his second turn.

Clearly North will pass any invitational bid such as Responder 2’s3♥ bid. Responder 2A has a better hand than Responder 2 so hemust jump to game so as not to give opener a chance to pass.

It would appear from these and the page 7 example hands thatjumping the bidding is helpful. The truth is it can be either help-ful or hurtful, depending on the hand. Consider the next sets ofhands. You will notice that jumping the bidding puts the partnerof the jumper in a position to make the final decision.Unfortunately, the decision maker doesn’t have enough informa-tion to make the final decision.

8

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 2

K5

AJ8742

QJ65

2

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 2

QJ6

Q53

T7

KQJ87

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 2A

A63

Q53

KT

QJ873

Auction 2

Opener 2 Resp 2

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 3♥

All pass

Auction 2A

Opener 2 Resp 2A

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 4♥

All pass

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 3

KJ6

KQ9752

A4

765

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 3

QT5

T

KQT3

AQJ83

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 3A

QT5

JT

J52

AKQJ3

Auction 3

Opener 3 Resp 3

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 3N

All pass

Auction 3A

Opener 3 Resp 3A

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 3N

All pass

Responder 3 and Responder 3A each had to bid 3N at their sec-

ond turn since opener might pass if they bid 2N. Opener, of

course, had no idea whether to pass 3N (the right action opposite

Responder 3) or bid 4♥ (the right action opposite Responder 3A).

If the 2♣ bid had been forcing to game, each responder would

have been able to bid 2N the second time. Opener would then

support clubs by bidding 3♣: Responder 3 would bid 3N over

opener’s 3♣ while Responder 3A (with no diamond stopper)

would say 3♥ which opener would raise to 4♥. The sister booklet

to this one, “The Logic of 2/1 vs Standard” discusses this in great

detail.

The Much Better 2/1 Game Forcing Auctions

Some Other Standard American Auctions

9

Auction 3

Opener 3 Resp 3

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 2N

3♣ 3N

All pass

Auction 3A

Opener 3 Resp 3A

1♥ 2♣

2♥ 2N

3♣ 3♥

4♥ All pass

Auction 4

Opener 4 Resp 4

1♥ 1N

2♣ 2♥

How many hearts does

Responder 4 have in the

above auction? Only two.

If he had real support and

7-9 points, he would have

raised hearts at once.

see this=====>

Auction 4A

Opener 4 Resp 4A

1♥ 2♥

How many hearts does

Responder 4 have in the

above auction? Three or

four. This auction shows a

simple raise...7-9 points

with trump support as com-

pared to the auction left

which shows a preference!

Review of the 1NT Responder’s Second Bid After Partner

opens 1♠ PLAYING STANDARD AMERICAN


1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 2♠ preference (see #4 page 9 bottom)

1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 3♣, 3♦, 3♥ raising the 2nd suit shows trumps,

but less than 10 points

1♠ 1N

2♣ 2♦, 2♥ new suit after responding 1N

shows a 6-card suit and less than

10 points

1♠ 1N

2♦ 2♥, 3♣ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N

2♥ 3♣, 3♦ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N

2♠ 3♣, 3♦, 3♥ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 2N 10 points; invitational to 3N

1♠ 1N

2♠ 3♠ or 2N 10 points; invitational to game

10

Review of the 1NT Responder’s Second Bid After Partner

opens 1♥ PLAYING STANDARD AMERICAN


1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 2♥ preference (see #4 page 9 bottom)

1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 3♣, 3♦ raising the 2nd suit shows trumps,

but less than 10 points

1♥ 1N

2♣ 2♦ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♥ 1N

2♦ 3♣ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♥ 1N



10 points

1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 2N 10 points; invitational to 3N

1♥ 1N

2♥ 2N 10 points; invitational to 3N

1♥ 1N

2♥ 3♥ 10 points; invitational to game

11

QuizCover the answer at the right.

What should responder bid at the “?”

12

Auction 1

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♣ ?

? = 3♣. Responder’s raise of open-

er’s second suit shows long trump

and often shortness in the opened

major. Responder bids 2N with

more points even with four clubs.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 1

2

JT6

6543

AQJ76

Auction 2

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♠ ?

? = 3♠. With a hand with more

than two tricks and a doubleton in

opener’s suit, responder should

make a courtesy raise to three of

the major.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 2

Q9

AK87

T9753

65

Auction 3

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♥ ?

? = 3♥ or 4♥. The author much

prefers a 4♥ bid here but admits

that some would bid only 3♥. At

IMPs, 4♥ is automatic. Maybe a

more delicate 3♥ at Matchpoints.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 3

K4

AJ753

543

543

Auction 4

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♦ ?

? = 2♠. Responder’s choices are

pass or 2♠. Since 2♠ is a prefer-

ence, showing only a doubleton,

that’s our choice. Spades scores

more than diamonds.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 4

J8

A986

J85

T542

Auction 5

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♠ ?

? = 2N. With a maximum (10

points) and stoppers everywhere,

2N seems obvious. Never bid 2N

to escape from partner’s bid. Only

bid 2N to suggest going to 3N!

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 5

T9

QJT5

KJT3

K93

13

Auction 6

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♦ ?

? = 3♣. With a seven card suit, the

3♣ bid is clear. Opener knows

responder has less than 10 points

from his 1N response. Usually,

opener just passes 3♣.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 6

T

J8

QT6

KJT6532

Auction 7

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♥ ?

? = 2N. Just like in #5 on page 12,

responder should make an effort to

get to 3N with this maximum 1N

response. With fewer HCPs,

responder should pass!

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 7

KQT

J

QT976

QT96

Auction 8

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♣ ?

? = 2♥. Seems like a choice

between 2♦ and 2♥ (not enough

for 2N). With such weak diamonds

and an honor in hearts, the writer

likes the 2♥ choice.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 8

AJ9

Q9

T87532

J8

Auction 9

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♦ ?

? = 2N. A 3♦ bid tends to show

longer trump and fewer points (see

#1 on page 12). Here, 2N express-

es the hand perfecrtly: let’s get to

3N partner, if possible.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 9

QJT

T7

QT76

AJT5

Auction 10

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♣ ?

? = 2♦. This one is a snap. The 2♦

bid stands out. What other choice

makes sense? When your 6-card

suit is strong, it’s easy. Compare

with #8 above.

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 10

T96

95

AQJ532

J8

Auction 11

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♥ ?

? = 3♥. This hand should remind

you of hand #2 on page 12. We

repeat:with a hand with more than

two tricks raise opener if you have

two trumps!

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 11

AT7

Q3

AT764

T76

1NT Forcing

The purpose of Chapter 1 was to make certain that you had

total understanding of the meaning of responder’s bids subse-

quent to his response of 1N. Perhaps you picked up other small

points such as the “preference” at responder’s sec-

ond turn. A preference can even be given in a

minor. Consider the auction shown

left. Responder’s 2♦ preference

might conceiveably by made with

only a doubleton diamond. What

else would you expect the responder to bid with

responder hand A at the right? So, as we first real-

ized in Chapter 1, a preference at responder’s second turn doesn’t

mean much, only that responder would rather take the preference

than make any other call...including pass. Remember: a prefer-

ence is usually made with a doubleton and never a singleton.

2/1 Game Forcing

The bidding system called “2/1 Game Forcing” has two major

components:

A) The six 2/1 responses (raising opener’s suit is not called a

2/1 response) show opening bids unlike Standard American

where these same responses show 10+ HCPs. Here are the six

auctions:

1. 1♠ - 2♥ 4. 1♥ - 2♦

2. 1♠ - 2♦ 5. 1♥ - 2♣

3. 1♠ - 2♣ 6. 1♦ - 2♣

B) The second component involves the response of 1N to an

opening bid of 1♠ or 1♥, the so-called 1NT Forcing.

14

Auction A

Open Resp

1♦ 1♥

2♣ 2♦♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp A

K842

J7432

Q3

95

It behooves us to discuss the one anomaly in the six auctions

on the previous page. The auction that is different is #6 because it

is the only auction in which the opening bid is one of a minor,

instead of 1♥ or 1♠. The concept of responder’s 1N response

being forcing does not apply when responding to a 1♦ or 1♣

opening bid, but only to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening bid.

Let’s review our current status. Playing 2/1 Game Forcing

means that each of the six auctions that begin as shown on page

14 must result in the partnership arriving in a game contract.

What contract? We don’t know yet. The auction continues (just as

it does in Standard American) with each partner telling more

about his hand with each bid. The good news is that there will be

no jump bids since both members of the partnership know imme-

diately after the 2/1 response that they must keep bidding until

they arrive in game. Neither partner is permitted to pass below

game. There is no such thing as changing your mind! The rest of

this booklet will be devoted to explaining the auctions that begin

Opener Responder

i) 1♠ 1N

ii) or 1♥ 1N

The explanation and continuations of the 2/1 auctions which

start like #1 through #6 on page 14 can be found in the sister

booklet to this one entitled, “The Logic of 2/1 vs Standard” by the

same author. See the back cover for ordering information.

15

In all six of the auctions which begin as shown on

page 14, the partnership must get to game. After

all, one of the first things we learn as bridge play-

ers is that one opening bid opposite another open-

ing results in game being bid...somewhere!

Why Should Responder’s 1N Response to 1♥ or 1♠

Opening Bids be Forcing (for one round)?

Once you know the answer to the above question, you can

fully appreciate the system called 2/1 Game Forcing. In Standard

American, as you know, the opening 1♥ or 1♠ bidder should sim-

ply pass a 1N response without a second suit, a 6-card suit or

extra points. This is quite logical (almost) since the 1N responder

has 6 - 10 HCP. Since responder has at most 10 HCP, game is

extremely unlikely when opener has a balanced hand (no second

suit, no 6-card suit) without extra HCP. We say “almost” because,

like most everything else, there can easily be exceptions.

Consider the two hands below and the “obvious” auction.

Although there are times when responder stretches by bidding

at the 2-level with less than 10 points, that only happens when

responder has a very strong suit like ♣AKJ954. It would be quite

unlikely to have any player respond 2♣ with the above respon-

der’s hand with such a bad suit (clubs), less than 10 HCP and a

stiff spade. However, the cold 5♣ contract would be missed. By

the way, 3N is also cold!

The point to the above discussion is that the responder’s range

(6 - 10) is relatively small so when opener passes the 1N response

it is probably a reasonable contract. Obviously from the above

example, this is not always the case. Of course you realize that the

range is so tight because with 10+ HCP responder goes to the 2-

level (in Standard American).

In 2/1 Game Forcing, responder needs an opening bid to

respond in a new suit at the 2-level. When responder has enough

16

♠

♥

♦

♣

South B

7

K53

KQ6

JT9832

♠

♥

♦

♣

North B

JT854

A4

A75

KQ4

Auction B

W N E S

1♠ P 1N

All pass

strength to respond (6 HCP), yet is unable to go to the 2-level in

a new suit (less than an opening bid) and doesn’t have three or

more of his partner’s major (so he can’t support that major) what

can responder do other than to respond 1N? However, you should

realize that responder will at times have an 11 or even 12 HCP

hand (unable or unwilling to force to game). Most 11 HCP and

many 12 HCP hands are not opening bids. What can the respon-

der bid? YOU KNOW. 1N!

Since we require an opening bid to make a 2/1 Game Forcing

response, the responder will have to respond 1N not just with 6 -

10 HCP but also with most 11 and 12 points hands. You should

now realize why the 1♥ or 1♠ opener should not be allowed to

pass the 1N response. Since the opener has an average hand of 13

HCP (yes, sometimes 12 but sometimes 14) and the responder

might have as many as 11 or 12 HCP, the combined strength for

the partnership might easily be 24 - 26 HCP. It would be much too

easy to miss game if opener passes. Missing game doesn’t happen

very often playing Standard American because the combined total

is 22 - 24, at most, since responder never has more than 10 HCP.

In Standard the second danger is that responder has a long suit

and winds up playing the hand in 1N because he was unable to

name his suit immediately and never got a second chance when

opener passed. See page 16. Not so when 1N is forcing for one

round.

The 1N response to a 1© or 1ª opener is forcing for one

round: 1) so as not to miss game; and 2) also to get to the best

contract (and stay low enough to make it) when responder has

a long suit and less than an opening bid.

17

Playing 2/1 Game Forcing, the response of 1N to a 1©or 1ª opening bid is forcing for one round and:

1) shows 6 - 12 HCP

2) typically denies 3-card support for

opener (one exception later on)

Responder’s 1N Forcing Bid

When Responder Has a Long (6+ card) Suit

Even playing Standard American there are problems when

responder has to bid 1N in response to the opening 1♥ or 1♠ bid

when responder has his own long suit. In Standard, responder

might get to play in 1N since opener might just pass (see page

16). One of the benefits of playing 2/1 Game Forcing is that this

is not the case. Since the 1N response is a one round force (ONLY

IN RESPONSE TO AN OPENING MAJOR), opener must bid

again and now the responder gets a second chance and can now

name his long suit, if he has one. However, the problems are just

beginning. If you consider the opening bid ‘C’ below, you will

notice three possible responding hands: C1, C2, and C3. After the

opening bid of 1♠, each of the responding hands would bid 1N

(even hand C3 is not quite good enough to respond a game forc-

ing 2♥ since he will be overboard if open-

er has a minimum with a singleton heart.)

The auction would be something

like:========================>

It should seem obvious to you that something is not right.

Look at hand C1. Responder has a complete minimum and is hop-

ing to play in 2♥, which he might not make. However, responder

C2 has a better hand and would probably make 3♥ or even 4♥ on

a good day. Now, responder C3 has a hand that might have made

a 2/1 immediately but didn’t because if opener had only a stiff

heart, responder’s 2♥ bid (instead of 1N) would probably result

in a minus score. Returning to the first sentence of this paragraph,

what’s wrong is that there is too big a spread between the worst

18

Auction C

Opener Responder

1♠ 1N

2♣ 2♥

♠

♥

♦

♣

Open C

A9754

K3

K2

QJT4

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp C1

2

AJT964

543

762

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp C2

2

AJT964

543

K62

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp C3

2

AJT964

QJ3

K62

hand and the best hand that responder can hold for the given auc-

tion. The range of almost every bid in bridge is a king or an ace:

3 or 4 HCP. Some examples:

1. Opening 1N 15 - 18

2. 1♣ - 1N 6 - 10

3. 1♣ - 2N 11 - 12 or 12 - 15 your choice

4. 1♥ - 3♥ 10 -12

and we’re sure you can think of some more. But, the 1N forcing

response to the opening 1♥ or 1♠ bid is 6 - 12...MUCH TOO

LARGE A RANGE. No one can tell if you have a minimum or a

maximum. Playing 2/1 we can fix the problem quite easily when

responder has his own long suit. Here’s what we’ll play:

A) When responder has an opening bid with a 6-card suit,

he makes a game forcing 2/1 response to the 1♥ or 1♠ bid.

B) When the 1NT responder has a maximum, (10-12

HCP), with a 6-card suit, he will jump in his 6-card suit in

response to the opening 1♥ or 1♠ bid. This jump is forward going

but it will not be forcing. It is invitational. Opener may continue

bidding armed with the fact that responder has a 6-card suit with

10 - 12 points. Naturally, the better the fit in responder’s suit, the

more the opener should want to continue. When opener has a

minimum opening without a fit for responder (such as a single-

ton), opener should reject the invitation by passing! When

opener doesn’t have a fit for responder, he needs more HCP

to continue bidding. One of the worst mistakes in bridge is to

‘escape’ to NT when you have a stiff in partner’s suit. As long

as you are permitted to pass, you should not be ‘running’

from what partner bid.

C) When responder has 6 - 9 HCP with a 6-card suit he

should respond 1N forcing to the opening 1♥ or 1♠ bid and then

bid his 6-card suit after opener’s second bid. Opener will know

that the responder has a minimum (6 - 9) since with a maximum

(10 - 12), responder would have jumped at his first turn as

described in ‘B’ above and with an opening bid responder would

have bid a 2/1 in his suit.

19

You should realize how exact a picture responder can paint with

a long suit as long as you are playing 2/1 game forcing. With a

long suit and 6 - 9 points, responder bids exactly as in Standard

American but is guaranteed to get a second chance. If the respon-

der jumps in his suit it show a 6-card suit and 10 -12 points. With

an opening bid and a long suit responder makes a 2/1 game forc-

ing bid in his suit. Very exact!

Back to the examples on page 18. After the 1NT response C1

would rebid 2♥ (6 - 9); C2 would rebid 3♥ (less than 10); and C3

would respond 3♥ (10 - 12) immediately. The 3h bid for C2 dis-

tinguishes it from C1. This distinction is not always available.

QuizWhat is the best bid with each hand

below to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening ?

Resp 1 Easy 1N response intending to bid clubs after

opener’s next bid.

Resp 2 Another easy one. This is a 2♣ response. A full

opening bid with a good 6-card suit is enough to

force to game.

Resp 3 The classic jump to 3♣ to show an invitational

hand. Opener passes or goes on depending on

the quality of the fit and strength of hand.

Resp 4 Borderline hand for a 2/1 but we would chance a

2♦ game forcing response.

20

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 1

4

K6

AT54

Q76532

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 2

4

K6

AT54

AQ7653

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 3

4

K6

JT54

AQJ532

♠

♥

♦

♣

Resp 4

K9

Q7

AQJT76

T98

It should be clear that is doesn’t much matter whether you are

playing Standard American or 2/1 Game Forcing when it comes

to responder’s initial response of 1NT. The key difference, of

course, is that when playing 2/1 Game Forcing the response of

1NT to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening might be as many as 11 or conceiv-

ably 12 HCP. But aside from the possibility of having extra HCP,

the meaning of the responder’s bids when playing Standard

American is the same as when playing 2/1 Game Forcing with

the exception as noted on page 19 #B. For instance, if partner

opens 1♠ and your response is 1NT (forcing or not), should you

name a brand new suit after opener’s next bid, you would be

showing a 6-card or longer suit and 6 - 9 HCP.

Since the two systems are so very much alike once the

response to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening is 1NT, it behooves you to total-

ly understand what the responses mean. For Standard American

auctions, we outlined the meanings of all auctions of this ilk on

pages 10 and 11. So that you might compare Standard American

auctions with 2/1 auctions with 1NT-forcing-for-one-round-

responses, we have “replicated” pages 10 and 11 on pages 22 and

23. Page 10 corresponds to page 22; page 11 corresponds to page

23. Pages 22 and 23 show the same auctions as 10 and 11 but

these pages show the 2/1 auctions. MOST OF THE AUCTIONS

ARE IDENTICAL. We have underlined the “different” auction.

Spend some time to compare.

Finally, after spending so much energy on responder, we need

to discuss opener’s 2nd bid when playing 2/1 Game Forcing and

facing a partner who has just responded 1NT to 1♥ or 1♠ open-

ing. This discussion will begin on page 24 right after the previ-

ously mentioned comparisons on pages 22 and 23. After the dis-

cusion of opener’s 2nd bid there will be a quiz and you will be

done (hopefully to read the other book in this series “The Logic

of 2/1 vs Standard” if you have not already done so.)

21

Review of the 1NT Responder’s Second Bid After

Partner opens 1♠ PLAYING 2/1GAME FORCING


1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 2♠ preference (see #3 page 9 bottom)

1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 3♣, 3♦ raising the 2nd minor suit shows

5+ trumps, but usually a poor hand

1♠ 1N

2♣ 2♦, 2♥ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N

2♦ 2♥, 3♣ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N



10 points

1♠ 1N

2♠ 3♣, 3♦, 3♥ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♠ 1N

2♣, 2♦, 2♥ 2N 10 - 12 points; invitational to 3N

1♠ 1N

2♠ 3♠ or 2N 10 - 12 points; invitational to

game

22

Review of the 1NT Responder’s Second Bid After

Partner opens 1♥ PLAYING 2/1GAME FORCING


1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 2♥ preference (see #4 page 9 bottom)

1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 3♣, 3♦ raising the 2nd suit shows 5+

trumps, but a poor hand

1♥ 1N

2♣ 2♦ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♥ 1N

2♦ 3♣ new suit after responding 1N


10 points

1♥ 1N



10 points

1♥ 1N

2♣, 2♦ 2N 10 - 12 points; invitational to 3N

1♥ 1N

2♥ 2N 10 - 12 points; invitational to 3N

1♥ 1N

2♥ 3♥ 10 - 12 points; invitational to game

23

Opener’s Second Bid After Partner

Responds 1NT Playing Standard American

Most of opener’s 2nd bids are exactly the same playing 2/1

Game Forcing as they are playing Standard American. We’ll list

the auctions below with their meanings in Standard American.

Then we will continue the discussion by examining which of the

bids change in 2/1.

Opener Resp Meaning of opener’s 2nd bid

1♠ 1NT

2♣ shows four or more clubs

2♦ shows four or more diamonds

2♥ shows four or more hearts

2♠ 6-card suit, minimum

2N 17-18

3♣, 3♦, 3♥ natural jump shifts, forcing to game, 18+

3♠ 16 - 18, 6 spades, invitational

3N 19+

4♥ lots of hearts to go with lots of spades

4♠ lots of spades, not lots of points

1♥ 1NT

2♣ shows four or more clubs

2♦ shows four or more diamonds

2♥ 6-card suit, minimum

2♠ reverse, natural, game force 18+

2N 17-18

3♣, 3♦ natural jump shifts, forcing to game, 18+

3♥ 16 - 18, 6 spades, invitational

3N 19+

4♥ lots of hearts, not lots of points

24

Even a cursory examination of the tables on the preceding

page leaves us a bit empty in the sense that the bidding seems so

obvious (mainly because it is so natural). The naturalness of

Standard American is one of only a few good points!

Playing 2/1 Game Forcing would necessitate some very small

changes to the aforementioned tables. Consider these two hands

which are almost identical:

Holding hand ‘A’, the auction would be the same regardless

of system. Opener bids 1♠ and when his partner says 1NT, open-

er bids 2♣. Normal, natural bidding. The auction is identical play-

ing Standard American or 2/1 Game Forcing. Suppose opener

held hand ‘B’. Certainly, playing Standard American, opener

would pass his partner’s 1NT response. However, playing 2/1

Game Forcing with 1NT Forcing for 1 round means opener is not

allowed to pass. But he does not have a second suit and a 2nd bid

of 2NT shows 17 - 18 HCP (check the table on page 24). Opener

appears stuck! Not so. When faced with this situation, opener

should solve it the same way he solves his opening bid problems

at the 1-level when he doesn’t have a 5-card major nor a 4-card

minor. Opener bids a 3-card minor. In this case, opener (at his 2nd

turn after partner has responded 1NT) bids his lowest 3-card suit

when he does not have a four card suit; when he does not have the

strength for 2NT; and when he doesn’t have a 6-card suit to

repeat. On page 26 you will find the equivalent table to the one on

page 24. However the page 26 table is for thpose who play 1NT

Forcing. The changes are shown underlined. Compare the two

tables.

25

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener A

AQ874

KT

85

AT54

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener B

AQ874

KT5

85

AT5

Opener’s Second Bid After Partner

Responds 1NT Playing 2/1 Game Forcing

Most of opener’s 2nd bids are exactly the same playing 2/1

Game Forcing as they are playing Standard American. We’ll list

the auctions below with their meanings in 2/1 Game Forcing. We

have underlined the differences from Standard American.

Compare to the table on page 24. [Ed note: the only time to bid a

three card suit is when no 4-card sui t is available.]

Opener Resp Meaning of opener’s 2nd bid

1♠ 1NT

2♣ shows three or more clubs

2♦ shows three or more diamonds

2♥ shows four or more hearts

2♠ 6-card suit, minimum

2N 17-18

3♣, 3♦, 3♥ natural jump shifts, forcing to game, 18+

3♠ 16 - 18, 6 spades, invitational

3N 19+

4♥ lots of hearts to go with lots of spades

4♠ lots of spades, not lots of points

1♥ 1NT

2♣ shows three or more clubs

2♦ shows three or more diamonds

2♥ 6-card suit, minimum

2♠ reverse, natural, game force 18+

2N 17-18

3♣, 3♦ natural jump shifts, forcing to game, 18+

3♥ 16 - 18, 6 spades, invitational

3N 19+

4♥ lots of hearts, not lots of points

26

Opener’s Rebid Quiz Playing 2/1

What is opener’s 2nd bid in each auction? Answers below.

1A. 2♣. Ugly but there is no 4-card suit to bid.

2A. 2♣. Bid the lower of two 3-card suits, not the stronger.

1B. 3♣. Normal jump shift.

2B. 2N. Shows 17 - 18.

1C. 3♣. 3-card jump shift is better than 3N because of spades.

2C. 2♦. Tricky. Can’t bid 2♠ since a reverse shows 17+.

1D. 3♥. Classic: 6-card suit, invitational to game.

2D. 3♣. Jump shift in a 3-card suit. Too strong for 3H.

27

Auction A

W N E S

P 1♠ P 1N

P ?

♠

♥

♦

Opener 1A

AQT84

KJ6

K5

432

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 2A

AQT84

KJ

K56

432

Auction B

W N E S

P 1♠ P 1N

P ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1B

AKJT5

AQ8

8

AJT4

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 2B

AQJ96

KJ4

A3

QJ4

Auction C

W N E S

P 1♥ P 1N

P ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1C

87

AKQ43

AJ3

AJ9

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 2C

AJ95

AQ952

K65

3

Auction D

W N E S

P 1♥ P 1N

P ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1D

2

AKQ874

A54

QJ2

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 2D

2

AKQ874

A54

AQJ

1NT Forcing Quiz 1

Write down your bid at the “?”. Answers on facing page.

28

Auction 1

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1

AT984

KJT4

AJ6

3

Auction 2

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♥ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 2

2

Q9532

T93

AT84

Auction 3

Open Resp

P 1♠

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 3

54

T5

A87

KQJT54

Auction 4

Open Resp

1♠ 2♣

2♥ 3♣

3♠ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 4

6

87

AQ4

AQT8743

Auction 5

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♦ 3♦

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 5

3

AT963

KT753

A3

Auction 6

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♦ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 6

AQ5

2

Q874

QJT65

Auction 7

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 7

AK875

AQJ54

76

3

Auction 8

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♥ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 8

T9

62

AJ984

K542

1NT Forcing Quiz 1 Answers

1. There won’t be many as easy as this one. The opener’s rebid

is obviously 2♥. It should be pointed out that the author dislikes

12 HCP opening bids with balanced hands, he is much in favor of

opening this hand with both majors and a singleton.

2. Many players would be delighted to hear their partner’s 2♥

bid since now they have landed in a decent contract. With only 6

HCP many would simply pass and put down the dummy. Passing

would be a serious mistake. Your hand is quite powerful with a

stiff spade and a fifth trump. It is imperative that you raise part-

ner. The correct bid is 4♥! Not 3♥ but 4♥. Think of it this way:

what would you respond to a 1♥ opening bid?

3. After passing, your conventions should not change. In other

words, a response of 1NT is forcing, etc. Of course, if the third

seat opener does not have an opening bid, they can pass the 1NT

response even though it was intended as forcing. On this hand,

opener (who passed initially) should respond 3♣ showing an invi-

tational (10 - 12 ) hand. See page 19.

4. Now responder can bid 3NT confident that his partner knows

his hand: an opening bid; a long, strong club suit; and a stopper

or two in diamonds. The key is the 3♣ bid which is still forcing

to game playing 2/1 Game Forcing.

5. It is hard to believe but the opener should bid 4♦. His part-

ner’s raise shows trumps not points! If responder has a stiff

heart and five diamonds to the ace, 5♦ is probably cold!

6. 2NT is the correct bid not 3♦. A 3♦ bid shows diamonds.

On this hand responder wants top show points!

7. Just 2♥. Not good enough to jump shift which shows lots of

HCP (18+).

8. It is quite tempting to bid 2NT but with only 8 HCP it is not

very appealing. A preference to 2S is the correct call. (See #4

page 9 bottom)

29

1NT Forcing Quiz 2

Write down your bid at the “?”. Answers on facing page.

30

Auction 1

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 1

AJ9

AJT84

K97

A5

Auction 2

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

2♠ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 2

8

765

K98

QJT964

Auction 3

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 3

AK875

2

AQJ8

AQ5

Auction 4

Open Resp

1♠ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 4

9

AQJT76

QT86

65

Auction 5

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 5

AKJT985

2

KJT5

8

Auction 6

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♦ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 6

T86

5

AQ8642

542

Auction 7

Open Resp

1♠ 1N

?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Opener 7

AJ9865

2

AKJ

AQ8

Auction 8

Open Resp

1♥ 1N

2♦ ?

♠

♥

♦

♣

Responder 8

JT7

J

KQT86

AJT7

1NT Forcing Quiz 2 Answers

1. Be careful! It is tempting to say 2♦, following our “rules”.

However when you have a good 17 or 18 HCP without a second

suit and with honors in every suit, it is clearly best to bid notrump.

This hand should bid 2NT...not good enough to jump to 3NT.

2. Many would pass be not this author. I would bid 3♣ showing

my long club suit with 6 - 9 HCP. See pages 18 - 19. There’s an

important point here. My hand is virtually worthless for my part-

ner with spades trump. However, by making clubs trump my hand

takes three club trick plus whatever tricks my partner can supply

with his opening bid.

3. This one is pretty easy, too. A jump shift to 3♦ is clearly called

for. Players who open 2♣ are just plain wrong and are demonstrat-

ing their lack of understanding of what a 2♣ opening should look

like.

4. How should this hand be bid? Should responder bid 1NT and

then his hearts or should he treat this hand as if it were 10 - 12 and

jump to 3♥ immediately as suggested on page 19? We like the

immediate jump to 3♥. Don’t quibble about 1 HCP!

5. Opener’s second bid is clearly 4♠. It should be noted that this

jump to game after opening 1♠ doesn’t show lots of points but

shopw lots of distribution as well as lots of trumps.

6. This is not the time to be complacent and pass 2♦. YOU

MUST RAISE TO 3♦! The 3♦ bid shows diamonds not strength.

See #5 and #6 on page 28.

7. Too strong a hand for 3♠ and also, not a good enough suit for

such a jump. Time for the rare jump shift in a 3-card suit. Bid 3♣!

8. Too good for a simple 3♦ bid which shows diamonds but not

strength. See #6 above. 2NT seems inappropriate since you have

5-card diamond support. The correct bid is 2♠. Yes, 2♠.

Obviously you don’t have spades since your first bid was 1NT

and not 1♠. This 2♠ bid shows a raide to 3♦ WITH GOOD HCP

STRENGTH as opposed to a 3♦ bid showing only trumps!

31

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The Logic of 1NT Forcing

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