OPENER’S SECOND BID AFTER GAME-FORCE (GF)
After a major (1♠/1♥)
opening in first or second position if Responder bids GF in 2♣
or 2♦
or 2♥
there are two polemic approaches for Opener's second bid:
A- The most popular way is to show the shape of the hand:
Opener bids his second suit with 54xx or rebids his major suit with 63xx
or bids 2nt with 5332. This is normal to show a minimum open with less
than 16 hcp. The problem is when Opener makes a reverse bid to show his
shape (45xx) without a real strong (16+ hcp) like:
a) Opener =>
♠AQ54
♥AQ765
♦xx
♣xx
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
2♠
<= Opener argument is: I am showing where are mine extra values and
there are no more reverse because we are in a GF process.
Question: How Responder may know Opener's strength?
In fact, the information of strength is dubious for a partnership that
don't have rules to show the strength of Opener's hand in his second
bid. This last sequence is a traditional reverse bidding and shows 16-21
hcp.
b) Opener =>
♠A10754
♥Q5
♦x
♣AQ743
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
3♣
<= again Responder makes a reverse bid showing 16+ hcp bidding his
second suit at level 3. The correct open since 1930 is 1♣
when Culbertson teach us that with 5♠
and 5♣+
and minimum hand we should bid first 1♣
and rebid twice Spades. Of course, within a competitive auction this is
difficult, but the information of the strength is more important and
should not be distorted.
So, the shape sometimes doesn't clarify Opener's hand strength in his
second bid and prioritize the distribution ignoring the importance in
give a reliable information of the hand’s strength. This will be a
problem to Responder decide in bid or not bid a slam.
B- Another way, most used by expert’s players, is prioritize the
information of hand's strength and then try to limit the Opener's hand
in his second bid even rebidding his major with only 5 cards or waiting
to bid his second suit in appropriated moment. They use the 2nt bid to
show 16+ hcp and also the second suit bided at level 3.
Thus, lets establish rules to disciplinary the information of Opener
strength.
RULE#1: When a partnership is in GF
process each player with a minimum hand (12-15 hcp) should use, if
possible, in his second bid the Principle of FAST ARRIVE bidding game as
soon as possible.
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
4♥
<= minimum without splinter (♠KQ10xx
♥10xxx
♦K9
♣Ax)
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
3nt <= minimum without splinter (♠KJ109x
♥AQx
♦92
♣K109)
Both examples shows the use of Fast Arrive
RULE#2: After 1♠/1♥
opening and a response GF the rules are:
a) Opener bidding 2nt shows 16+ hcp, even with 6 card major:
Opener Responder
1♠/1♥
2♣
2ST => 16+ hcp with stopper in unbid suits - if Opener's
suit has 6 cards then at level 3 Opener bids again his major (2nt denies
support of 4♣+).
example1
Opener:
♠KQ109xx
♥AQ10
♦K9
♣Qx
or
♠KQ109x
♥AQ10
♦K9
♣Qxx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
2ST => 16+ hcp with stopper in unbid
♥
and
♣
- if Opener has 6♠
cards that will be bided at level 3
- denies 4♥+
cards or
4♦
cards or 4♣
cards, so distribution should be 5332 or 6322 because denies singleton
when bided nt.
exanple2
Opener:
♠AQx
♥AQJ9x
♦x
♣KJ10x
Opener Responder
1♥
2♦
3♣
=> 16+ hcp
- If Opener has less than 16 hcp Hearts should be rebid even with 5
cards
b) Opener bids 3nt with 5332 having stopper in the unbid suits with
12-15 hcp:
Opener:
♠K109xx
♥Jx
♦KJ9
♣AQ9
example3
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
3nt => Fast Arrive 13-15 hcp promises stoppers in unbid suits and
shows balanced distribution
example4
Opener:
♠KQx
♥QJ10xx
♦xx
♣KQ10
Opener Responder
1♥
2♦
3nt
=> Fast Arrive 13-15 hcp with stoppers in unbid suits and balance hand
c) rebidding his 5 cards suit just to limit his hand within 12-15 hcp:
example5
Opener's hand:
♠AKJ109
♥J9x
♦x
♣QJ10x
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
2♠
=> minimum (12-15 hcp) can have only 5♠
cards or 6♠+
cards
Fast Arrive was not applied because:
- no stopper in unbid
♥;
- has singleton in Responder suit bided
♦
can't bid his second suit
- have 4 cards in
♣
but no 16+ hcp, so no reverse bid.
example6
Opener:
♠AJ109x
♥J2
♦AJ10x
♣Qx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
2♠
=> minimum 12-15 hcp and no support can't bid 3♦
with 12-14 hcp – no sure stopper in unbid suits (♣)
- need shows his limited strength rebind Spades
d) Opener rebids his major in jumps to shows solid suit: AKQJxx or
AKQxxxx 14-15 hcp if more strong then should bid 2nt to show 16-20 hcp
example7
Opener:
♠AKQJxxx
♥93♦A10
♣xx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
3♠ =>
this jump in 3♠
ensures 6/7 tricks in Spades and may have additional 1 ace or 2 Kings in
case of 7 cards (our Namyats do not allow another ace or 2 Kings)
example8
Opener:
♠x
♥AKQxxx
♦K108
♣Jxx
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
3♥ =>
shows solid 6/7♥
cards up to 15 hcp – Responder now decides final contract
e) Opener bids his second suit up the line in level 3 only with 16+ hcp
example9
Opener:
♠KQ10xx
♥Q3♦10
♣AKQ10x
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
3♣
=> shows
16+ points and denies 3 cards support in
♥ having
a 5-5 hand we must add 2 points for distribution so Opener’s has 18
points
example10
Opener:
♠x
♥AKQxxx
♦K108
♣AJ9x
Opener Responder
1♥
2♦
3♣ =>
shows
16+ points
f) Opener bids his second suit up the line in level 2 with 12-15 hcp
example11
Opener:
♠Qxxx
♥AQxxx
♦K108
♣x
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
2♦
=> 12-15+ hcp and must bid 3♦
cards suit avoiding false Spades reverse
example12
Opener:
♠108543
♥AKQJx
♦Q8
♣x
Opener Responder
1♠
2♣
2♥
=> 12-15+ hcp and shows 5♠+-4♥+
(can’t opening in Hearts)
g) Opener support to Hearts using Fast Arrive versus slow arrive
example13
Opener:
♠KQ109xx
♥Q10x
♦K9
♣Qx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
4♥
=> minimum (12-14 hcp) Fast Arrive support with 3/4 cards
example14
Opener:
♠KQ109xx
♥AQ10
♦K9
♣Qx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
3♥
=> slow arrive means 16+ hcp and slam interest
4♥
=> no cuebid - so minimum response hand
h) Opener supports Responder's minor at level 3 with 4+ cards and 12-15
hcp
Opener Responder
1♠/1♥
2♣
3♣
=> minimum - 4 cards support (exception 3 cards with 2 top honors)
example15
Opener:
♠Q109xx
♥A10x
♦J9
♣KQx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♣
3♣
=> minimum 12-15 hcp
example16
Opener:
♠Kx
♥AJ10xx
♦J9
♣K983
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
3♣
=> minimum 12-15 hcp
i) Opener supports Responder's minor in jump to level 4 showing 4+ cards
support with a top honor and 16+ hcp – slam interest
example17
Opener:
♠A10
♥AK109x
♦Q9
♣KJxx
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
4♣
=> strong 4♣+
support with 16+ hcp – Responder should cuebid or RKB
example18
Opener:
♠AKJ109
♥Kx
♦KJ93
♣Kx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
4♦
=> strong 4♦+
support with 16+ hcp – Responder should cuebid or RKB
example19
Opener:
♠x
♥AK10xx
♦KQ943
♣K3
Opener Responder
1♥
2♦
4♦
=> strong support 16+ hcp – Responder bidding 4♥
is to play denying 2 aces and bidding
5♦
is sign-off denying aces in unbid suits else Responder must cuebid
J) Opener jumping after GF is splinter not showing strong 2 suits
example20
Opener:
♠AKJ109
♥x
♦KJ93
♣Kxx
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
3♥
=> splinter singleton
♥
with support 4♦+
cards - 12+ hcp
example21
Opener:
♠KJx
♥AK10xx
♦3
♣K1093
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
3♦
=> splinter singleton/void in
♦
12+ hcp
example22
Opener:
♠KQJxx
♥K10xx
♦3
♣A109
Opener Responder
1♠
2♥
4♦
=> splinter singleton/void in
♦
12+ hcp
Negative example23
Some players after a 2/1 GF in this difficult sequence “1♦
response 2♣”
looking for show their suits do wrong reverse bid with 12-15 hcp
Opener Responder
1♦
2♣
2♠/2♥
<= in fact this bid needs 16+ hcp for all partnership that
play reverse
We emphasize that the information of Opener's strength defined by his
second bid is vital to Responder take decision in stop at game or try
slam.
Reinforcing:
- in 2/1 the Principle of FAST ARRIVE is a useful tool to show hand's
strength, so after a GF established, Opener and Responder should go to
game as soon as possible or bid slowly to show a good hand (16+ hcp);
- One common rule to limit Opener's hand is the rebid of his major 5
cards at level 2 showing a minimum hand 12-15 hcp;
- After 1♥
opening and responses 2♣
or 2♦
Opener's bids in 2♠
shows a reverse hand with 16+ hcp;
- If Opener's first bid is 1♠
then after a response in 2♥
a second bid in 3♣
or 3♦
promises 16+ points, so Opener with 54xx and less than 16 hcp must rebid
2♠
waiting that Responder bids his minor to then maybe supports partner’s
minor;
- Opener's second bid in 2nt promises 16+ hcp with distribution 5332 or
6322 and stoppers in unbid suits;
- Responder's second bid follow also FAST ARRIVE Principle and a
support in a major opening bided at level 3 is more strong than bided at
level 4.
example24
Opener Responder
1♠
2♦
2♥
?
3♥
=> 16+ hcp
4♣
=> splinter singleton Clubs 12+ hcp
4♥
=> 12-15 hcp without splinter
- When Responder has 16+ hcp he may not use Jacoby 2nt or splinter, but
just bid another suit before support Opener even with 3 cards:
example25
Opener Responder
1♠
2♣
2♥/2♦
?
2♠
<=
♠KJxx
♥Kxx
♦AKx
♣AJx
good hand and 3♠+
support
...................... slow bidding - shows 16+ hcp
4♠
<=
♠K9x
♥xx
♦xx
♣AKQxxx
minimum Just Clubs and 3♠
support
...................... Fast Arrive 12-15 hcp
example26
Opener Responder
1♠
2♣
2♥
?
3♥
<=
♠Kx
♥KJxx
♦Kx
♣AKJxx
4♥
cards and 16+ hcp
...................... slow bidding - shows 16+ hcp
4♥
<=
♠K9
♥Qxxx
♦Ax
♣KQxxx
4♥
minimum 12-15 hcp
...................... Fast Arrive - shows 12-15 hcp
example27
Opener Responder
1♥
2♣
2♦
2♥
4♥
<= minimum open hand 12-14 hcp
Opener:
♠Kx
♥KJxxx
♦KQJ9
♣xx
Responder:
♠Q9
♥AQxx
♦xx
♣AKJxx
example28
Opener Responder when splinter fits hands
1♥
2♣
2♥
4♦
<= splinter - singleton Diamonds - invitation to Slam
4nt 5♠
<= 2 key cards and the Queen of trump
6♥
pass
Opener:
♠AKx
♥AJxxxx
♦8xx
♣x
Responder:
♠J9
♥KQxx
♦x
♣AKQxxx
When Opener has no way to explain his strength
Suppose Opener has a strong 2 suits like:
Opener: :
♠AKQxx
♥AKQxx
♦8x
♣x
example29
Opener Responder
1♠
2♣
<= GF
?
Opener can’t jump to 3♥
because this shows a splinter
Opener can’t bid 2NT (considering that 2nt shows 16+ hcp) with 5♠-5♥
or 5♠-4♥
So, Opener must bid only 2♥
with his 18 hcp that will be interpreted by Responder in principle as a
normal 12-15 opening, but could be a middle hand with 16-17 hcp or a
strong hand with 18-20 points like this hand has: 18 hcp + 2 points for
length = 20 points.
Thus, Opener after bid 2♥
should obtain from Responder a support to try slam without, but if
Responder bids the 4th suit asking for more explanation from
the opening hand then Opener in his third bid must jump to 4♥
to show his strong hand.
Question: what is wrong in bid just 3♥
to shows his 5-5 distribution considering that they are in GF sequence
of 2/1.
Answer: If Responder hand is:
♠-
♥xx
♦KQ9432
♣AQJxx
and Opener hand is weak like:
♠AKJxx
♥KJxxx
♦x
♣xx
Then this is a situation of misfit hands and so the recommendation by
Terence Reese is to abort the GF, He said once a time: - "when misfit is
found drop the bid as soon as possible".
But if one of the hands are very strong we consider play at least game.
So, if the bid goes:
Opener Response
♠AKJxx
♥KJxxx
♦x
♣xx
♠-
♥xx
♦KQ9432
♣AQJxx
1♠
2♦
2♥
3♣
?
Opener with a hand 12-15 hcp bids 3♥
and then Responder with a misfit hand may pass.
Opener with a hand 16+ hcp and 5-5 bids 4♥
and Responder may pass with a misfit hand.
But if Responder’s hand is
♠xx
♥Jxx
♦AKJ10x
♣Axx
Responder may consider to try a Grand Slam.
Corollary: The recommendation is for not
use the shape way to show distribution but the way that prioritize the
information of strength of Opener's hand that assure conditions to
better try a Slam.
Bottom Line: 2/1 system can't allow bad decisions based in dubious
auctions and the Principle of Fast Arrive Principle help us to avoid
dubious decision.
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