When the opener has made a simple rebid of 1 NT...showing a balanced minimum hand...it is effective for the responder to have a low-level forcing bid to assist in finding an optimum contract.
The proper names of the conventional bids we will learn today are quite unsatisfactory; since we all learned back at square 1 "...any new suit by the responder is forcing!" WELL...Almost...Remember that once the opener has limited their hand by bidding 1 NT...a simple change of suit by the responder is not forcing...it only offers a choice! Opener is in effect saying that they won't bid again unless the responder can assure game values!
Questions continue to arise between partners as to the meaning of forcing and non-forcing bidding sequences. Because using standard bidding methods it is almost impossible to show 10+ and 5 Spades.. the only invitational bid available to responder is 2NT.. If opener has 3 Spades they should then show "delayed" support..
|
Standard |
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
2ª |
STOP... 5-9 pts ...5 Spades |
|
American |
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
3ª |
Invitational..10-11 pts...6 Spades.. Could be 5 good Spades |
|
Bidding |
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
4ª |
GAME...(Opener's 1 NT promised 2 Spades) |
|
Sequences |
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
2¨ |
6-9 pts...indicates preference for Diamonds..promises 4 or 5 Diamonds |
|
|
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
2© |
Invitational...10+pts ..promises 4 -5 Hearts |
|
|
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
2§ |
Invitational..10+pts..promises at least 4 Clubs |
|
|
1¨ |
1ª |
1NT |
2ª |
GAME FORCE... "Reverse" promises games values 5/6 H..4/5 S |
Using the NMF and 4SF convention...With a 5 card suit and invitational values we temporize with an artificial asking bid and then await the answer ...1¨..1ª...1NT...2§* Says...Partner do you have 3ª...I have 5!
NMF and 4SF are designed to:
1. Inquire about opener's support for responder's suit...
2. Locate major suit fits or ensure stoppers in unbid suits...
3. Give opener further opportunity to describe length and strength...
4. Clarify and limit the meaning of other responses...(my favorite)
5. Provide flexibility for responder's rebid...saving space..
.
*…If responder’s first bid was 1 S… and his continuation after opener’s rebid of 1 NT is 2 H…that bid is NOT forcing…and a jump to 3 H would promise 5-5 in the majors…therefore if opener has 4 hearts…and only a doubleton in responder’s Spades…they should now show their 4 hearts (not a reverse) simply searching for a game either in hearts or NT…
SINCE THE BID OF THIS NEW SUIT DOES NOT NECESSARILY SHOW ANY STOPPERS OR LENGTH IN THE BID SUIT... ALL NMF AND 4SF BIDS NEED TO BE ALERTED!...Also opener should not bid NT without a stopper in the NMF suit or fourth suit, which is in effect an unbid suit.