Monday, November 14, 2005 10:00 AM

Hand Evaluation  - Forcing Passes ( DOC )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Bridge bidding has a very limited vocabulary. To make the language of bidding “richer” many bids must be interpreted depending on the context of the auction. The forcing pass is a superb concept that has been around a long time. It is definitely a “depending on context” bid. It is a myth to think that forcing passes apply only when your side has forced to game. When forcing passes were first invented , that was probably the case but over the years that definition was way too restrictive. Now forcing passes are in effect when your side “ owns the auction”. What does that term mean ? This term has to be defined depending on the context of a particular auction. Has partner made a strength showing bid that is in the limit raise or better range & they are in game ? Has partner made a 2/1 in competition or as a passed hand ? Are we vulnerable against non vulnerable opponents & we bid game ?  What are the opponents doing nv ?  Have they pre-empted or as both passed hands are now in game ? Are the opponents obviously taking a sacrifice ? Has partner doubled & bid singlehanded vul to game or a high level ? Has your side made a penalty double or redouble and they are running ? Golfers have an obligation to “read the green” to make a good putt. Bridge players have an obligation to ‘read the auction” to determine ownership.

 

            All the above defines whether your side “owns the hand” and if you do , forcing pass theory is in effect. The Bridge World gives this hand  You open 1♣ in 3rd seat  vul vrs not with  ♠A ♥Jxx ♦AQxx ♣AKQ10x  a cool 20 HCP . Your RHO , the partner of the passed hand opponent bids a pre-emptive 2♥ . Your partner as a passed hand makes a 2/1 of 2♠. The nv passed hand partner of a pre-empter now blasts to 4♥. What should you bid ?  The Bridge World panel said this was an obvious forcing pass situation. Partner has made a 2/1 vul with one passed hand nv opponent & one of whom pre-empted are now in game. The panel voted for a forcing pass again taking the table action into consideration. The opponents have announced that the hearts are 6-3-3-1 or 6-4-3-0 around the table. This gives partner a stiff or void in hearts. A forcing pass is the best bid because it gives partner a chance to describe her hand. When partner chooses a double , this gives you a chance to show your monster as you “pass & pull” to 4NT which should show the minors. A forcing pass is a win win situation.

 

            Partners must be on the same wavelength for forcing passes. For example , in an expert partnership , it is totally impossible that this particular auction gets passed out. An established partnership trust each other. Trust & forcing pass theory is a good mix !!  Trust your partner with the green card !! Beginners are afraid  partner will pass when you are holding a huge hand. This is unwarranted paranoia !

 

            Klimo gives me this hand from the recent Bermuda Bowl won by the Italians. ♠AKx ♥Ax ♦AKxx ♣AQxx you are vul , they are not. In 3rd seat they open 3♥ so you double. LHO bids 6♥ , around to you. Forcing pass theory has obviously kicked in with auction. So what should partner have for his pass ? He would double with any heart card so we give the KQJ of hearts to the opponents. There are only 10 HCP left in the deck taking the heart cards out of the equation. Partners pass encourages bidding so I would think he holds HCP’s in the 7-10 range. With heart cards out of the way , all his points are pulling full weight in their suits. The Italian after some thought put the 7NT card on the table. Partner came down with 9 HCP’s & he claimed 13 top tricks !! Klimo says wow !

 

            Taking your plus at the 5 level is a common theme with  forcing pass theory. Of course , you take into consideration the vulnerability but the “context of their bidding” turns on forcing passes. Nancy Cook nv vrs nv opens 3♣ in 3rd seat. I double & her partner leaps to 5♣. The “context of the bidding” has turned on forcing passes. A 3rd seat pre-empt & a passed hand are in an 11 trick contract. You have one Ace so there is no game at the 5 level your way so it is a simple decision to take your plus with a double. You collect +500 & on to the next hand.