Is It Forcing?
What? I have to bid again?
Introduction
This article will discuss forcing bids in the context of normal auctions. It will answer the question, “Is my partner’s bid forcing?” It will not tell you what to bid, only when you must.
This article will not discuss forcing bids in the context of specific conventions such as Stayman, Blackwood, etc. If you play any conventions involving forcing bids, it’s your responsibility to learn them.
Responder’s First Bid
Reevaluate your hand if you have a fit with partner’s suit. This involves adding points for short suits (void, singleton, doubleton) if applicable (refer to the article on counting for short suits for more details).
- A raise by responder of opener’s suit is not forcing.
Example 1
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
1 | Pass | 2 | |
South holds 6 to 9 points, and either three or four hearts (holding five or more hearts, South should raise directly to 4).
Example 2
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 3 | |
South holds 10 to 11 points and four hearts.
- When partner opens one of a suit, any new suit bid by responder is forcing for one round, unless responder has previously passed.
Example 3
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | |
South’s 1 response is forcing for one round, because South has not previously passed. North must bid again (if West makes a bid, however, North may pass if that seems appropriate, because South will have another chance).
Example 4
East dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| — | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | |
In this case, South’s 1 response is not forcing, because South has previously passed. A passed responder can never make a forcing bid. North may bid again with a suitable hand, but may pass if that seems best.
- After a takeout double, a new suit by responder at the one level only is forcing for one round (if responder has not previously passed). A new suit by responder at the two level (assuming no jump in level) is not forcing.
Example 5
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Double | 1 | |
South’s 1 bid is forcing for one round. However, as in Example 1, if West bids North may pass.
Example 6
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Double | 2 | |
South’s 2 bid is not forcing. South is showing an 8 to 9 point hand with at least five clubs. With more points, South would redouble first.
- An overcall does not change things. If responder bids a new suit, it is forcing for one round unless responder has previously passed.
Example 7
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
South’s 2 response is forcing for one round. North must bid again unless West bids.
Example 8
East dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| — | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |
In this case, South’s 2 response is not forcing, because South has previously passed.
- A notrump response by responder is never forcing (in standard bidding), even with a jump in level. However, there are some conventions where a notrump response is forcing.
Example 9
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 NT | |
South’s response is not forcing. It shows 6 to 9 points with no four–card major.
Example 10
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 2 NT | |
South’s response is not forcing. It shows 10 to 12 points with no four–card major. Some players, however, prefer to treat the 2 NT bid as showing 13+ points. If you have that strong a hand (with no four–card major), then jump directly to 3 NT.
Example 11
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 NT | |
South’s response is not forcing. It shows 6 to 9 points. However, many experienced players consider the 1 NT response after a major suit opening to be forcing for one round. If in doubt, ask the opening bidder. This convention formerly required an alert or announcement, but because it has become so common, the alert or announcement is no longer required.
Opener’s Rebid
Reevaluate your hand if you have a fit with partner’s suit. This involves adding points for short suits (void, singleton, doubleton) if applicable (refer to the article on counting for short suits for more details).
- If opener raises responder’s suit, it is not forcing.
Example 12
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | | |
Opener has a minimum hand (12 to 14 points) with four spades (occasionally three, but they should be good ones).
Example 13
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 3 | Pass | | |
Opener has a better hand (16 to 18 points) with four spades.
- If opener rebids his suit, it is not forcing, even if opener jumps.
Example 14
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | | |
North’s rebid is not forcing. He has a minimum opening bid (12 to 14 points) with a six card heart suit.
Example 15
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 3 | Pass | | |
North’s rebid is still not forcing. He has a better hand (16 to 18 points) with a six card heart suit.
- If opener bids a new suit lower ranking than his first suit, it is not forcing when partner responded at the one level.
Example 16
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | | |
North’s 2 bid is not forcing since partner has responded at the one level. North has a minimum opening hand (12 to 14 points), with at least five hearts and four clubs.
- If opener bids a new suit lower ranking than his first suit, it is forcing when partner responded at the two level.
Example 17
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 2 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | | |
North’s 2 bid is forcing since partner has responded at the two level. North still has a minimum opening hand (12 to 14 points), with at least five hearts and four diamonds.
- If opener bids a new suit at the three level without jumping, it is forcing. Opener must have a game–going hand (ie 16 points or more).
Example 18
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 2 | Pass |
| 3 | Pass | | |
North’s bid is forcing. North has a game–going hand (ie 16 points or more). With a weaker opening, North cannot bid a new suit at the three level, but must choose some other bid. In this case, 2, 2 NT, or 3 would be acceptable. Opener may have to distort his distribution somewhat to avoid bidding a new suit at the three level with insufficient values. This is one of the rare cases where rebidding 2 on a five–card suit may be unavoidable.
- If opener bids a new suit higher ranking than his first suit, it is forcing for one round (if partner responded at the one level) or to game (if partner responded at the two level). This type of bid is called a reverse, and is an integral part of standard bidding. Refer to the article on reverses for more information.
Example 19
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | | |
North’s bid is forcing (for one round, in this case). North has a good hand (16+ points), normally with five diamonds and four hearts. Holding a weaker hand with four hearts, North cannot bid hearts. North has to find a different bid. Bidding 2 in this type of auction with a minimum opening hand is one of the most common errors made by newer players.
- If opener bids a new suit jumping a level, this is forcing to game.
Example 20
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 3 | Pass | | |
North’s bid shows a 19+ point hand. South cannot pass (unless he wants a new partner).
- If opener bids no trump it is not forcing, even if opener jumps in no trump.
Example 21
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 1 NT | Pass | | |
North’s bid shows a minimum opening (12 to 14 points), and is not forcing.
Example 22
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 2 | Pass |
| 2 NT | Pass | | |
North’s bid still shows a minimum opening (12 to 14 points), and is not forcing.
Example 23
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 NT | Pass | | |
North’s jump bid in NT shows a good hand (18 or 19 points) with less than four spades, but is still not forcing.
Responder’s Rebid
Reevaluate your hand if you have a fit with partner’s suit. This involves adding points for short suits (void, singleton, doubleton) if applicable (refer to the article on counting for short suits for more details).
- If responder rebids his suit without jumping, it is not forcing.
Example 24
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 2 | |
Responder’s 2 bid is not forcing. It shows at least 5 spades, no support for partner’s suits, and unsuitable distribution for no trump.
Example 25
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 1 NT | Pass | 2 | |
Again, responder’s 2 bid is not forcing.
Example 26
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 2 | |
This is a sequence that often gets newer players in trouble. Responder’s 2 bid is not forcing. In fact, it’s highly discouraging. A wise North will pass and let South (the weaker hand) play. Even if South gets doubled and goes down, you will likely get a better score than the more foolish North’s who keep bidding, get doubled at a higher level, and go down. The worst thing North can do here is bid 2 NT as a rescue attempt.
- A new suit by responder is normally forcing for one round. There are exceptions, which will be shown in the examples.
Example 27
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 3 | |
Responder’s 3 bid is forcing. Responder should have a game–going hand (bidding a new suit at the three level by either player is game forcing).
Example 28
East dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| — | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 3 | Pass |
Responder’s original 1 response was not forcing, since responder is a passed hand. Opener chose to rebid hearts (which is acceptable with a good six card heart suit). Responder, however, is quite unhappy. His 3 bid is an attempt to find a better contract, and is not forcing. Responder probably has five spades and five diamonds, with a void in hearts. Opener should either pass the diamond bid, or go back to spades. Anything else would be foolish.
Example 29
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 1 NT | Pass | 2 | |
This one is a bit complicated. Responder’s 2 bid is not forcing. Why? Opener has rebid 1 NT. After a 1 NT rebid by opener, a lower ranking new suit bid by responder is not forcing. If responder wanted to make a forcing bid in diamonds, he would have to bid 3. In this auction, South again has a two suited hand and feels notrump is too dangerous. North should normally pass or bid 2.
Example 30
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 1 NT | Pass | 2 | |
In this auction, South’s 2 bid is forcing. Why? Because spades is a higher ranking suit than hearts (which South bid first). This is an example of a reverse by responder. South is showing a game–going hand with five hearts and four spades.
- A notrump bid by responder is not forcing.
Example 31
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 2 NT | |
South’s 2 NT bid is not forcing. South has a 10 to 12 point hand. His likely distribution is four spades, two hearts, two or three diamonds, and four or five clubs. Note that South cannot bid 3 even with a five card suit: that would promise a game–going hand.
- A return to opener’s first suit is not forcing.
Example 32
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 2 | |
South’s 2 bid is not forcing. In fact, it’s highly discouraging. South has a weak hand and only two card support for hearts (with three card support, South would have raised in the previous round of bidding). North should not make the mistake of thinking South is encouraging. North should pass promptly.
- A raise of opener’s second suit is forcing.
Example 33
North dealer, neither side vulnerable
| North | East | South | West |
| 1 | Pass | 1 | Pass |
| 2 | Pass | 3 | |
South’s 3 bid is forcing to game. If South wanted to play a part score in diamonds, he would have passed 2.
Competitive Auctions
Apart from some simple examples, this article does not cover forcing bids in competitive auctions (it gets more complicated).
The major differences in competitive auctions are:
- All raises of any suit partner has bid are not forcing. Raises to any level show weak hands with trump support (the higher the raise, the better the support).
- A cue bid (bidding the opponent’s suit) generally shows support for partner’s suit with a good hand. Obviously, a cue bid is forcing for one round. If your partner cue bids and you have a stopper in the opponent’s suit, bid notrump; otherwise rebid your suit with a minimum, or bid a new suit with a good hand (ie, a hand better than your previous bids have indicated so far).
- Notrump bids promise at least one stopper in the opponent’s suit (ideally two stoppers for a major suit, or a suit the opponents have bid and raised). They remain non–forcing.
Conclusion
This article won’t cover subsequent rounds of bidding for the following reasons:
- There are too many possible sequences to illustrate. After all, you and your computer only have so much memory.
- The first two rounds of bidding are the critical ones. If you and your partner get through the first two rounds with an understanding of which bids are forcing and which aren’t, neither of you should make any serious blunders in subsequent rounds.
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