Frequently asked questions
INTRODUCTION TO 2/1 GAME FORCE
2/1 Game Force and 1NT Forcing are OFF if Responder's RHO competes, or if Responder has already passed.
Q: [partner opens 1S] If responder's only 4 card suit is hearts and responder has opening points, do you lie and bid hearts? Or do you lie and say 1NT?
- If your partner opens 1 Spade in 1st or 2nd seat and you have exactly 3 spades, 4 hearts, 3 diamonds, and 3 clubs, you bid a 3 card minor for 2/1.
- Some players will bid 3NT if they have 13-15 points with 3 spades and a balanced hand.
- You need 5 hearts for a 2/1 bid to 2H.
- With 16 or more points, bid a minor suit at the 2-level, 2/1 game force.
Q: with a hand that would qualify for the Jacoby 2NT would you chose that or the 2/1 reply?
- 2/1 does not replace partnership conventions such as Jacoby 2NT. With a 4-card fit for opener's major suit, Jacoby 2NT would be preferred by many players who have that convention available.
Q: Do you ever bid 2clubs as responder just to show you have an opening bid or is that contorting too much.
- 2/1 is a NATURAL system with the priority to show shape. Bid your longest natural suit first. With two 4-card suits, you may choose the 2/1 suit if there is an option.
- DO NOT bypass a 5-card spade suit to bid an artificial 2/1 suit as a GF. That would contort the shape description of the hand.
- 4th Suit Forcing (FSF) is an available Game Forcing option.
Q: I am confused because without support for partner or a biddable suit of your own, you likely want to bid NT but 1 NT doesn't show enough points and two NT would be seen as Jacobi if that is the partnership agreement.
- 2/1. With nothing better to do, bid your lowest ranking 4-card minor (on RARE occasion a 3-card minor) to create the GF then bid shape naturally to explore for a contract.