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
93A10 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
Q310 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
Opener Responder
  1
         2  
  2
=> 12-15+ hcp and must bid 3 cards suit avoiding false Spades reverse  

example12
Opener:
108543
AKQJx Q8
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.


/ / /