Fourth-Suit Forcing and Artificial - Part 1

This is an important convention that comes in handy. 

Responder’s Second Bid

Modern bidding has a problem-child:

South:

♠ Q 8 7                      North       South

♥ A Q 9 8 7              1♦             1♥

♦ K J 6                     1♠              ??

♣ 5 4

South has a problem: He wants to bid NT, but not without a stopper in clubs, the only unbid suit. He should not jump in his 5-card heart suit (only perverts do that), and he should not raise opener’s second suit with only 3-card support. There is a nice solution to this dilemma:

2/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 6

If Opener rebid a new suit:

After a 2/1 response, opener can bid a new 4+ card suit (not 3 cards) on the 2-level, so responder should raise the new suit with 4-card support. With less support, try NT, or rebid a 6+ card suit, or bid the fourth suit (artificial – called "Fourth Suit Forcing") to get more information from opener.

2/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 5

Responder’s Second Bid After a 2/1 

Your partner opened the bidding and you gave him a game-forcing 2/1 response. Now it is your second bid and you are responsible for placing the final contract. You have all the information (two bids from opener), so you decide.

If you have 3-card support for opener's major, now is the time to show it.

North:

♠ A 3                          South            North

♥ K J 4                       1♥                 2♦

♦ K Q 9 8 6                2 NT             3♥

♣ 9 7 6  

2/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 4

Opener rebids his 6+ card suit:

South:

♠ A K 10 9 8 7              South            North

♥ 8 5                             1♠                 2♣

♦ A Q 7                         2♠

♣ 5 2  

South’s 2♠ bid after the 2/1 response shows a 6+ card suit.

However, if opener jumps in his original suit, it shows a solid 6+ card suit.

2/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 3

Opener’s Second Bid After a 2/1 

You have opened the bidding and your beautiful partner bid a new suit on the two-level. This 2/1 response is forcing to game. Opener describes the shape of his hand. Extra strength can be shown later. Your options are as follows:

2/1 Game Force: The Exceptions – Part 2

The Exceptions

If responder is a passed hand, the game force is off:

South:
♠ A J 4                     South            West            North            East
♥ 9 8                        Pass               Pass            1♥                  Pass
♦ K Q J 7 6              2♦
♣ 9 8 7

South’s 2♦ bid is not a game-forcing bid. It shows 11-12 points. 

2/1 Game Force: Responding 2 in a New Suit – Part 1

This is the crown jewel of the system. 2/1 (read Two-over-One) refers to responder’s first bid of a new suit on the two-level. 

In Standard American it shows 11+ points (or a good 10). Now, most of the bridge world plays it as a game-forcing bid, at least 13+ points (or a good 12).

The advantage is simple: by telling the opener immediately that the hand is good enough for game, the partnership has plenty of room to explore the best contract without jumping needlessly.

Note: Game level is defined as 3 NT or 4 of a suit. If your trump suit is a minor, you are not forced all the way to 5♣ or 5♦. Even if you've made a 2-over-1 response, your auction can end at 4♣ or 4♦ if that's your agreed suit.