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Fourth Suit Forcing - An artificial bid of the fourth suit,
requiring partner to continue describing their hand thus conserving bidding
space to explore game or slam. The bidder may
or may not have a holding in the fourth suit, making the bid artificial and
alertable. While some players play Fourth Suit Forcing requires
partner to bid only one round, many others play the convention as
game-forcing. However, most players the bid is game forcing when the
fourth suit is made at the 3 level.
Fourth Suit
Forcing is initiated on Responder's rebid. Example:
1H - 1S;
2C - 2D;
After the Fourth suit Forcing bid, opener may bid:
|
Bid |
Meaning |
|
Cheapest Notrump |
Minimum hand with a stopper
in fourth suit and balanced hand |
|
Jump Notrump |
Strong hand with a stopper
in fourth suit and balanced hand |
|
Opener bids a suit |
Not promising a stopper,
typically showing extra length in suit;
opener's first priority is to bid responder's first bid major suit with
3 trump support. Opener's second suit rebid should show 5-5 length
or better. |
Most players agree Fourth Suit Forcing is not a jump except:
1C - 1D;
1H - 2S; 2S is Forcing by most players (in North
America) 1C - 1D;
1H - 1S; 1S is natural by most players (in North America)
Some players have additional agreements, as:
1C - 1H;
1S - 3D; 3D shows 5-5 in responder's bid suits,
strongly invitational
(a minority may play responder's jump is a Splinter of
opener's second suit - a rare occurrence)
1C - 1H;
1S - 2D;
3D
3D shows opener has 4 cards (thus, 4=0=4=5 shape)
1C - 1S;
2C - 2H; Opener's
3D is also Fourth Suit Forcing, asking responder
3D to
bid 3N with a stopper
Note: Fourth Suit Forcing does not apply when Notrump was a prior bid, nor
when opponents' intervene in the bidding. |
