Thursday, November 23, 2006 3:32 AM

2♣ - The Pass

PITBULLS:

The forcing 2♣ bid is prone to interference . Why ? because responder does not know that the best weapon, almost regardless of her hand , is the green card. The 2♣ bid is artificial so when they interfere at a high level just pass. If opener has a NT type hand you will always see the double card. If partner has a one suiter , partner will announce it. If partner has a two suiter you will probably see a Q bid.

Here is an auction from a Vanderbilt. ♠AKQxxx ♥AQJ ♦Ax ♣Ax and partner opens 2♣ & they overcall 4♦ . Responder holds ♠J10xx ♥Kxx ♦Q ♣KQJ10x just 12 HCP. What should she bid ? I think the pass stands out . Let the 2♣ opener describe her opener . The 2♣ bidder now bids 4♠ and 4NT is clearly Blackwood . Did you know that a 5♦ response shows 0 or 3 or 5 ? When you have all the key controls , you just bid 7NT and return your cards to the slots and onto the next hand.

Forcing passes are built into the 2♣ structure automatically so take advantage of it. Many pairs take advantage of the opponents interfering over 2♣ to announce that they have no controls with a double. This double is applicable up to but not including the 4 level. This treatment is good because you are using the opponents bidding to help out your side.

Do not forget that the 2♣ bid like its 1♣ forcing counter part is susceptible to psyches. Again the forcing pass is helpful in these auctions. A jump in their suit by the 2♣ opener is natural and exposing the psyche . A Q bid of their suit generally shows a two suiter. 3NT is always to play and mat be based on a long suit. Do not let the opponents ruin your 2♣ sequences . Forcing pass theory is there to assist you so use the green card !