2-Over-1: The Forcing 1NT… Part Two

How To Use 1 NT Forcing

Use it only after a major opening bid. 1 NT is not forcing after a minor opening:

1.                                                     2.
North         South                           North            South
1♥             1 NT                             1♦                1 NT
 *                                                  *
*North must make                          *North may pass with a
  another bid.                                   balanced minimum hand.


A 1 NT response is 5 to 12 points:

Unlike Standard American, which required only 6 to 10 points, 1 NT Forcing uses a bigger range.

You usually have less than 3 cards in opener’s major:

These hands both respond 1 NT to an opening bid of 1♠:

♠ void                      ♠ K 2
♥ K J 9 7 4 3 2        ♥ 4 3 2
♦ Q 4 3                    ♦ Q J 9 8 7 
♣ J 9 6                    ♣ 8 5 4

Duplicate Players: Opener says "Forcing" after responder bids 1 NT

Tune in next time for part three!