Bridge bidding systems are defined by the engine that drives them along. The most complex of these are relay systems (e.g. Panama Relay, Valentines, Relay Precision, etc.), where the forcing partner (Responder, usually) makes meaningless forcing bids (similar to a Stayman 2) usually in the cheapest step in an effort to derive information from partner. Typically, 1:2 would be natural and NON-Forcing in such systems, as would any response other than an artificial relay response of 1 to the 1 opening bid.

A second family of bridge languages is the level forcing systems (e.g. Canadian Club, 1/1 Non-Forcing, etc.), where the level of Responder's first bid determines whether or not the auction is a game-forcing one or not. Typically, in such systems a 1-over-1 response (e.g. 1:1) is NOT forcing, while any 2-level response in a new suit (e.g. 1:2, 1:2 or 1:2) is game-forcing.

In SAYC, we saw an "approach force" system. These are characterized by the forcing partner (i.e. Responder, unless Opener has started with 2) rarely defining the auction as game-forcing with hir first response. Yes, SAYC does have some game-forcing responses (e.g. jump shifts, 2NT responses to 1-of-a suit, etc.), but for the most part forcing partner relies on rebidding in new suits to sustain the auction. 1:2:2:2NT, then, is not forcing in SAYC.

In 2-Over-1 Game-Forcing ("2/1 GF") we have a Hybrid system. If Responder begins with a 1-over-1 reply (e.g. 1:1) 2/1 GF operates as an approach force system, indentical to SAYC in almost every respect. But if Responder begins with a 2-over-1 reply (e.g. 1:2) the auction becomes GAME FORCING. Hence, 1:2:2:2NT is forcing here--as it would be in a LEVEL FORCING system.

Throughout these notes, you will see mention of "2/1-K", Kaltica's approach; Shep's "2/1-Shep"; and "2/1-Spectrum", as a suggested standard for Spectrum students only. This does not imply that this is the standard approach for others--or that such a standard exists!

#1	Consider the auction: 1:1. State whether this auction is Game Forcing, One-Round-Forcing, or Non-Forcing in the following system types:
#1a	A typical relay system.
#1b	A level forcing system.
#1c	An approach forcing system, such as SAYC.
#1d	A Hybrid system, such as 2/1 GF.
#2	Consider the auction: 1:2. Is this auction Game Forcing, One-Round-Forcing, or Non-Forcing in the following system types:
#2a	A typical relay system.
#2b	A level forcing system.
#2c	An approach forcing system, such as SAYC.
#2d	A Hybrid system, such as 2/1 GF.
#3	Consider the auction: 1:2:2:3. State whether this auction is Game Forcing, One-Round-Forcing, or Non-Forcing in...
#3a	...SAYC ?
#3b	...2/1 GF ?

Opening Bids
The requirements for and structure of opening bids in 2/1 GF are identical to SAYC except in one respect: instead of a 25-27 HCP flat 3NT opening bid, 2/1 GF employs a Gambling 3NT . Such a bid will be made on a 6+card solid minor suit with no Ace, King or void outside. The hand may have a Queen outside the long suit if not vulnerable. Vulnerable, the hand will usually have at least one outside Queen.

Hand A

xx

Jx

AKQxxx

xxx

Open 3NT if not vulnerable.

Hand B

xx

QJx

x

AKQxxxx

Start with 3NT regardless of vulnerability.
In response to the Gambling 3NT, any Club bid by Responder is a sign-off, asking Opener to PASS or correct to Diamonds if that is hir long suit. If, after opening 3NT, Opener A (above) hears partner bid 4, we will see Opener retreat to 4.

Responder's only forcing response to 3NT is 4, asking for a singleton. Opener will rebid 4 or 4 if short in that suit, 4NT with no singleton or void, and 5 or 5 with length in the bid minor and shortness in the other minor.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
3NT	4	"Do you have a short suit?
5	--	Long Clubs, short Diamonds, as in Hand B above.

A raise to 4NT is "quantitative", asking Opener to bid at the 6-level only with a seventh card in the long suit.

KQxx

AKxx

xx

AKx

Raise partner's non-vulnerable 3NT bid to 4NT, in case 3NT Opener has a 7th Diamond.

The Gambling 3NT opening bid and the above conventional responses must be alerted and explained. To do this on OKBridge, hit "ENTER + ALERT" instead of "ENTER" when you make your bid. Then hit "=" to address both opponents and explain your call without being asked.

The question arises: "What does Opener do with a flat 25-27 HCP hand?" Opener begins with 2 and then rebids 3NT.

The Two-Over-One Game-Forcing Response
It is in the area of responses to opening bids that 2-Over-1 Game-Forcing differs from SAYC.

The heart of the 2-Over-1 Game-Forcing system lies in the fact that a 2-level response in a lower ranked suit is GAME-FORCING. This will have a profound effect on Opener's and Responder's rebids. We have already seen one example of this, where Responder can rebid 2NT over 1:2:2 in order to check for more distributional information from Opener without worrying about Opener passing.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	2	2-over-1 natural Game Force.
2	2NT	"Tell me more."
3	--	Natural, 4+ and 5+, 13-15 points.

1:2:3, then, is still a High Level Reverse, showing 16+ points in Opener's hand. But what about two level reverses? For example, after 1:2 does a 2 or 2 reverse promise 16+ points, as it did in SAYC? After all, we no longer need such a device to force game!

The answer to this question depends on partnership agreement and reflects the various "flavours" of 2/1 GF. Some retain the SAYC approach (i.e. that 2-level reverses here do show 16+ points and an unbalanced hand, with the original suit longer). These pairs we will call "strong reversers". Others allow Opener to reverse into any 4-card major suit--even with a flat minimal hand! This group we will call "weak reversers". A third group will allow such a reverse on a minimal hand but only if Opener has an unbalanced hand (3-suited or with 5+ Diamonds). We will refer to these partnerships as "distributional reversers". For simplicity, we will employ the SAYC model of strong reverses, and reverse only with 16+ point unbalanced hands after a 2-over-1 response.

Because Responder has agreed not to pass below game, a flat Opener can always rebid 2NT over a 2-over-1 response. In SAYC, 1:2:2NT promised 15 points; in 2/1 GF it shows a minimum opening 5-3-3-2 type hand.

Do this mean that 1:2:2 always promises 6+ Hearts? Not quite. Opener might have a 4-card Club suit and be too weak (13-15 points) to make a high level reverse rebid of 3. It might also mean that Opener has 4 Spades and lacks the wherewithal for a reverse into 2. 1:2:2 ,does, however, show an unbalanced opening hand.

In other versions of 2/1-K, 1:2:2 *will* promise 6+ Spades, since Opener could rebid in No Trump with any 5-3-3-2 type, and could bid any 4-card suit: 2 with 4+ Diamonds, 2 with 4+ Hearts and 3 (raising Responder's suit) with 4+ Clubs. In 2/1-K, 2 promises either 6+ Spades OR a minimum hand with 5 Spades and 4+ Clubs.

1:2:3 shows 16-18 points in 2/1-K.
Questions

You hold:

AQxx

xx

KJxxx

Kx

#1	After 1:2, what should Opener rebid if part of...
#1a	...a strong reversing pair.
#1b	...a weak reversing pair.
#1c	...a distributional reversing pair.
#2	After: 1:2:2 does a 2NT rebid by Responder promise a balanced hand?

The Jump Shift Response

The most stark contrast between SAYC and 2/1 GF comes when Responder rebids a suit after making a 2-over-1 response. In SAYC, 1:2:2:3 showed 8-10 HCPs and 6+ Diamonds. In 2/1 GF, this sequence is game-forcing.

Whereas in SAYC we needed to Jump Shift to show a good hand and solid suit, in 2/1 GF we can just bid and rebid our suit, secure that partner will keep the auction open. This allows us to use Weak Jump Shifts. Typically, a Weak Jump Shift should be a hand that is not strong enough to respond to the opening bid, but has a seven card suit, for example:

After 1, bid 3 with:

Hand A	x	Qx	QJxxxxx	xxx
Hand B	x	xx	Jxxxxxx	xx

Now, you might say these bids are not going to happen very often, or with great success. We agree, and so did Marty Bergen, when he introduced us to "Bergen Raises". He uses the Jump Shifts from a Major suit opener to Three of a Minor as artificial bids, raising the Major. Thus:

1:3

or

1:3

These show 11-12 points in support and 4+ trump, nothing about Clubs (a Limit Raise).

1:3

or

1:3

These show 8-10 points in support and 4+ trump, nothing about Diamonds (a Mixed Raise).

1:3

or

1:3

These jump raises show 3-7 points in support and 4+ trump, (a Pre-emptive Raise).

Bergen presented these raises in 1985 in the reverse order (3 weaker than 3), but since then has switched how he plays them, since it provides a little more bidding room over the stronger sequence, where you are more likely to want to make a slam try. Be sure to ask your partners: "Which Bergen?". Shep's 2/1 GF goes one step further. Shep has reclaimed the 2NT Response, which SAYC and 2/1 GF use as Jacoby 2NT a Forcing Raise), to be used as a natural bid, 13-15 HCP with a balanced hand and two or three cards in opener's suit. Instead, Shep's 2/1 GF uses ALL the Jump Shifts as artificial raises of the Major suit Opening. Thus:

1:2

or

1:3

These jumps show 13+ points in support and 4+ trump, saying nothing about the bid suit.

1:3

or

1:3

These jumps show 10-12 points in support and 4+ trump, saying nothing about the bid suit.

1:3

or

1:3

These jumps show 6-9 points in support and 4+ trump, saying nothing about the bid suit.

1:3

or

1:3

These jump raises show 0-6 points in support and 4+ trump, (a Pre-emptive Raise).

The supporting theory behind this aggressive bidding to the three level is based on "The Law of Total Tricks", which assures us that we can afford to compete to the three-level if we have nine trump between the two hands. By getting there as quickly as possible, we prove to be difficult opponents.

In response to a MAJOR suit opening, then, we have the Shep approach, the Bergen raise, the weak jump shift (employed by 2/1-Spectrum) and the strong jump shift (embraced by 2/1-K). But what about MINOR suit openings? MOST pairs play these as pre-emptive. Only 2/1-K uses a strong jump shift response throughout.


The Argument for a Natural 2NT Responder to 1H or 1S

Whether you want to play these artificial raises or not, you might give some consideration to reclaiming the natural 2NT response to the Major Suit Opening. The main advantage of doing so is that your 2/1 responses will now almost always have a five-card suit. This will help the partnership judge the number of tricks they can take, and help greatly with slam bidding.


Fourth Suit Forcing to Game

Like SAYC, 2/1 GF relies on the 4th suit as a forcing mechanism--but only after a 1-level response to 1-of-a-suit. Unlike SAYC, though, a bid of the 4th suit by Responder is forcing to GAME. 1:1:2C:2, then, is game-forcing. It follows that with a weakish hand and length in the fourth suit Responder must JUMP in the 4th suit to AVOID forcing. 1:1:2:3, then, is natural and NON-forcing in 2/1 GF.


The Principles of Fast and Slow Arrival

Because auctions are more quickly defined as game-forcing in 2/1 GF, we see the Principles of Fast versus Slow Arrival FAR more often than in SAYC. Simply put, when we have a GOOD hand we try to AVOID rushing to game in order to make maximum use of bidding space. With a weaker hand, we tend to return to the trump suit--often at the game-level--to suggest weakness.

Hand A

KJxxx

AJx

xx

Kxx

After 1:2, JUMP to 4 to deny any slam interest.

Hand B

AKxxx

KQx

Axx

xx

After 1:2, raise to 3 ONLY, suggesting slam.


Reverse Drury

This interesting convention, first developed by Douglas Drury, is a method of checking to see if partner has opened 1 or 1 LIGHT in 3rd or 4th seat. Here, a 2 response to any 1 or 1 opening bid made in 3rd or 4th seat asks Opener if hirs is a legitimate opening bid. If not, Opener will rebid an artificial 2 (e.g. Pass:1:2:2 or Pass:1:2:2). Any OTHER rebid by Opener will show a solid opening bid, 14+ points.

"Reverse" Drury is a modern variant on the original version of Drury, where Opener would rebid hir major over the 2 response to show the minimal opening bid. Many feel that the original version of Drury is superior, but Reverse Drury has become the norm for 2/1 Game-Forcers.

Regardless of which version you employ, the problem arises as to what to do with a good passed hand that has a lot of Clubs. Some will agree with their partner that a jump to 3 is natural and "not quite forcing", 10-12 points and 6+ Clubs. Other pairs will bid 2 (which *promises* 3-card support for Opener's major) and then rebid 3, thereby "breaking" the promise of 3+card support for partner's major. Neither approach is standard, though. The solution for most is a forcing 1NT followed by 3.

Responder

xx

xx

KJx

AQJxxx

Opposite partner's 1 or 1 opening bid, any CLUB reply will FORCE. Reply 1NT, then 3.

Roman Key Card Blackwood

Opener A	AKQxx	xxx	Axxx	x
Opener B	Axxxx	xxx	AKQx	x
Responder	Jxx	AKQx	x	AKQxx

        This Responder can make 7S opposite Opener A.  
        Switch the S-KQ into the DIAMOND suit, though, and 
        even SIX Spades could be difficult opposite 
        Opener B.  The difference lies in the strength of 
        the trump suit (or, if you like, the amount of
        DUPLICATION in the Diamond suit).        

        To address the issue of trump strength AND Aces, 
Key Card Blackwood has been developed.  We start by 
"elevating" the King of trumps to the status of a "Key 
Card", along with the four Aces.  The responses to Roman 
Key Card Blackwood are:

Bid	Explanation
5	Zero or 3 Key Cards.
5	1 or 4 Key Card(s).
5	2 or 5 Key Cards, lacking the Queen of trumps.
5	2 or 5 Key Cards, with the Queen of trumps.

        A VOID can be shown via 5NT (with an EVEN number 
of Key Cards) or, if holding an ODD number of Key cards, 
by a descriptive 6-level SUIT bid which does NOT go beyond 
the trump suit at that level.

RKC Blackwood Responder

QJxx

Axxx

void

Qxxxx

        Over 4NT, jump to 6D if a MAJOR suit is trump, but
        only 6C if Clubs are trump.

        If trump is a MAJOR, after a 5C or 5D response 
to 4NT, Blackwooder may bid the cheapest non-trump suit 
to ask for the Queen of trumps.  To DENY the trump Queen 
in such an instance, one simply rebids 5NT or the agreed 
trump suit, whichever is CHEAPER.  Any OTHER rebid will 
promise the Queen of trumps--and the King of the bid 
suit (if not trump).

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	4NT	Roman Key Card Blackwood, with Hearts trumps.
5	5	"Do you have the Queen of trumps?"
5NT	--	No.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	4NT	Roman Key Card Blackwood, with Hearts trumps.
5	5	"Do you have the Queen of trumps?"
5	--	No.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	4NT	Roman Key Card Blackwood, with Spades trumps.
5	5	"Do you have the Queen of trumps?"
6	--	Yes, and the King of Clubs.

        In SAYC, a 5NT rebid after bidding 4NT asked for 
Kings.  In 2/1 GF, it asks for SPECIFIC Kings.  Partner 
will CUEBID any King at the SIX level.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	4NT	Roman Key Card Blackwood, with Spades trumps.
5	5NT	"Do you have King to cuebid?"
6	--	Yes, and the King of Diamonds.

        Some pairs prefer to switch the 5C and 5D responses
to 4NT, Roman Key Card Blackwood, giving us:

Bid	Explanation
5	1 or 4 Key Card(s).
5	Zero or 3 Key Cards.
5	2 or 5 Key Cards, lacking the Queen of trumps.
5	2 or 5 Key Cards, with the Queen of trumps.

        This variation is called "1403", after the number 
of Key cards shown by the 1st (1 or 4) and 2nd (0 or 3) 
steps respectively.  The "0314" approach is the standard, 
though.

        Sometimes the "agreed" trump suit is not so clear.
1H:3H:4NT is simple enough, but what about an auction 
like 1S:2H:2S:3H:3S:4NT?  In cases where a suit has NOT 
been bid and raised, the last bid suit is assumed to be 
trumps.  Hence, 1NT:2C:2H:4NT is "RKCB" (Roman Key Card 
Blackwood), with HEARTS the assumed trump suit...for now, 
at the very least.

	The question arises:  "How do I know whether
partner has zero or three Key Cards?  Or 1 or 4?"

	The auction may be a hint.  Otherwise, if 
the response is LOWER than the trump suit, Roman Key Card 
Blackwooder can simply bid the agreed trump suit at the 
five level.  If partner has the higher number of Aces 
(i.e. THREE after showing 0 or 3, FOUR after promising 
1 or 4) partner MUST bid again.  1H:4NT:5C:5H:Pass, then, 
shows ZERO Aces;  with THREE, Opener MUST bid 
again--cuebidding a non-trump KING if Opener has one.

Questions

#1	After 1:2:2:4NT:5NT...
#1a	...what is trump?
#1b	...how many Key Cards does Opener have?
#1c	...which void does Opener most likely have?

#2

You hold:

AKxxx

Axx

Kxx

xx

Question:

What is Opener's rebid after 1:4NT:5:5 ?

#3	After 1:4NT:5 what would 5 by Responder mean ?

Discusion points with a new 2/1 GF Partner

1.  Does 1D:2C:2H show extra strength?  Does it guarantee
     an UNBALANCED hand?

2.  Does 1S:2C:2S promise 6+ Spades, or could Opener be
     TEMPORIZING with 4-card Club support to show a minimum?

3.  Do we use a Jacoby 2NT response to 1H and 1S PROMISE 4+card
     support?  
     If so, we will TEMPORIZE with a 2-over-1 response 
     and THEN raise the major to show 3-card support and 
     13+ points.
     If not, we will use the Jacoby 2NT ONLY with 16+ points
     (3+ card support) and use the 2-over-1 temporizing
     approach before raising the major to show PRECISELY
     13-15 points (and 3+ card support), as in SAYC.

4.  Do you prefer 0314 or 1403 Roman Key Card Blackwood?

5.  After a Blackwood 4NT, will a 5NT rebid ask for 
     partner's TOTAL number of Kings, or for partner
     to CUEBID a specific King?

6.  Do you play Reverse Drury opposite FOURTH seat Openers?

Final Quiz

Question #1

In first seat, what would you open with:

#1a	AKx	AKQx	Kx	AKxx
#1b	xx	xx	xx	AKQ10xxx
#1c	AKQJxxx	xx	xx	Qx
#1d	void	xxx	QJx	AKQ10xxx

Question #2

How do you respond to Partner's 1 opening bid with:

#2a	x	AKQJxx	Axx	Kxx
#2b	Kx	AQx	AQxxxx	Kx
#2c	Axxx	xx	AQxx	QJx
#2d	AKx	AQxx	AQxx	xx

Question #3

What should Responder rebid after 1:2:2 holding:

#3a	AQx	AKxxx	KQx	xx
#3b	AQx	KQxxx	xx	QJx
#3c	x	AQJxxxx	KQx	Ax
#3d	xx	AQJxxxx	Kx	Qx

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SPECTRUM Series

The Spectrum Series, at 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. PST every second weekday, is a lecture program on the 2/1 Game Forcing system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of 2/1 GF. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Spectrum Series is a semi-public lesson program for our students. All are invited to stop by and enjoy these classes. If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Spectrum Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca

SPECTRUM #1: System Overview SPECTRUM #2: Minor and NT Bidding SPECTRUM #3: The Forcing 1NT Response SPECTRUM #4: The 2/1 GF Response Lesson #1: Opening Bids Lesson #2: Responses to Opening Bids Lesson #3: Rebidding Strategies Lesson #4: Interference Lesson #5: OverCalls & Takeout Doubles Lesson #6: Two-Suited Overcalls Lesson #7: Pre-Empts Lesson #8: Competing with Doubles Lesson #9: Lebensohl Lesson #10: Defensive Signalling Lesson #11: Defensive Strategies Lesson #12: Declarer Play

General Rules of SAYC Bidding	Fit Inspired Bids - "FIBs"
Doubles	Cuebids
IMPs Versus MatchPoints	Lebensohl
Hand Evaluation	Defensive Signals
Jacoby Transfers	Pre-Empts
Jacoby 2NT Response to 1H or 1S	Michaels Cuebids
3 Types of Responding Hands	Percentages in Bridge
Roman Key Card Blackwood	BROZEL over their 1NT
4th Suit Force	Assume Jumps Are Raises
Glossary of Terms	Colin's Rules of Bridge

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#1a. ANSWER: Non-forcing. A typical RELAY system would use 1H, the cheapest step, as its only forcing response.

RETURN

#1b. ANSWER: Non-forcing. In a level forcing system, one level responses are non-forcing.

RETURN

#1c. ANSWER: Non-forcing. New suit bids are FORCING, in general.

RETURN

#1d. ANSWER: Forcing for one round, same as SAYC.

RETURN