Don’t Use 1 NT Forcing If …
If you are a passed hand, a 1 NT response is not forcing:
West East
♠ 8 7 ♠ A Q 9 6 4
♥ A Q 6 ♥ 10 5 4
♦ Q 9 8 7 6 ♦ J 10
♣ 10 9 8 ♣ K J 7
West North East South
Pass Pass 1♠ Pass
1 NT Pass Pass Pass
East opened a little light in 3rd position. West, a passed hand, bids a standard 1 NT response, which is not forcing.
East has no reason to continue.
Therefore, a passed hand should raise opener's major with 3+ card support:
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West East
♠ 10 7 3 ♠ A 5
♥ K 9 8 ♥ Q J 10 6 2
♦ 4 3 ♦ 7 2
♣ Q 9 7 4 2 ♣ A J 8 6
West North East South
Pass Pass 1♥ Pass2♥ Pass Pass Pass
If West was not a passed hand, he would first respond 1 NT, then he'd go back to 2♥, showing 5-7 points. But as a passed hand, he may not get a second bid, so 2♥ must now cover 6-10 points.
Note: A variation is to make a 1 NT response to a major as "semi-forcing" whereby opener, with a minimum balanced hand, can pass a 1 NT response. This book is based on 1 NT as a forcing response. Make sure you and your partner agree whether you play 1 NT responses to a major as "forcing" or "semi-forcing"!
