Saturday, September 04, 2004 1:06 PM

Forcing Passes - Kantar

PITBULLS:

Kantar has written an entire book on forcing passes . The forcing pass is the ultimate in the partnership aspect of bidding in Bridge . The theory allows both partners input into the final decision in auctions where you own the hand & when the opponents are making life difficult for you. This partnership element of forcing pass theory was the inspiration for D.S.I.P. theory . Both partners have input into competitive decisions where you do not own the hand. It is very important that you understand the bidding cues that turn on forcing passes. Overcalls and especially two level overcalls have reached opening bid status over the years. Forcing pass theory applies from that side of the table also and after takeout doubles. The following is some guidelines from that book :

a) when we are in a game forcing auction, either we play the hand or the opponents play it doubled.

b) when an invitational bid has been accepted , a game forcing auction is in effect and either we play the hand or they play it doubled,.

c) one exception to the invitational bid having been accepted is when we make a Q bid showing a limit raise or better and partner has no room at the 4 level, i.e., 1♠-2♥-3♥-4♥ -? Here a double by partner shows a hand that has good defense and poor offense. A 4♠ bid by partner shows a hand that would have accepted without the 4♥ bid but has no slam interest. A pass by partner is forcing and gives us the choice of bidding 4♠ or doubling. Presumably our double should show an offensive minimum or a maximum defensive hand. If partner later pulls our double or bids after our 4♠ bid then he is showing slam interest.

d) an opening 2NT does not create a forcing pass situation.

e) when we voluntarily bid a game vulnerable and the opponents are not vulnerable.

f) when you or your partner have voluntarily bid game after an adverse opening preempt (other than 4♥ or 4♠), or preemptive jump overcall, all subsequent passes by your are forcing, e.g., 2♥-4♠-5♥-P, or 3♣-4♥-5♣-P, 1♥-2♠-4♥-4♠-P (here we cannot jump to 4♥ with a weak hand since you do not pre-empt over a pre-empt). Unless we are vulnerable and they are not, the following sequence is an exception since we might be saving: 4♥-4♠-5♥-P

g) when two passed hands get to game after your side has voluntarily bid game, a forcing pass sequence is in effect..

h) when a bid is forcing to a particular level, either your side plays the hand at that level or, if your opponents play the hand below that level, they play it doubled, Q bidding auction ) . e.g., 1♥-X-P-2♥ 3♥-P.

i) when from the sound of the bidding it appears that the opponents are sacrificing, e.g., if the opponents are willing to play in a part score and then finally bid game after you have voluntarily bid a game, forcing passes are in effect

j) when your side has bid a 2/1 as a passed hand & your side gets to game

k) when your side has bid a 2/1 in competition & reach game

l) When your side has made a penalty double or converted a double for penalty and they run.

m) When your side has redoubled & they bid.

n) When your side has made a 2 level overcall & reached game

o) When your side has overcalled or made a takeout double & got to game via

a strong auction ( Q bids ) .