Friday, September 02, 2005 8:43 PM

Forcing Auctions - Interference

PITBULLS:

Every Bridge player knows or should know that when we own the auction “forcing pass” theory kicks in. Forcing pass theory is not just confined to the game level or sacrificing situations . In a forcing to game auction when they interfere , the default understanding is forcing pass theory. Lets discuss a few auctions and start with a 2/1 auction and they interfere with a double. When they come uninvited to our forcing auction the name of the game is there a fit for partner or no fit ? With a fit for partner , you ignore the double as the fit detracts from your defense and you are not leaving in the double anyway. You raise partner or splinter or bid one of their implied suits as a Q bid. Bidding implies a fit or else you would give partner the opportunity to punish them for penalty.

What are the “non fit” bids ? Bidding NT is a rare bid possibly only bid if you are vul and they are not . Therefore the only non fit bids are pass and redouble. The opponents with their double have given your partnership an opportunity to give more information so lets take advantage of it. A pass means you just have an opener and no fit and a redouble says you have extra with no fit for partner, These bids usually result in the opponents playing the hand doubled. One exception though is the pass and pull which of course is a slam try.

What if they just bid a suit after a 2/1 ? Again with a big fit , you just ignore their bid and make your natural bid. This leaves two alternatives to show the non fit hands pass and double. The double is obvious and a pass is just “getting out of the way” for partner to double if she chooses. A pass does not show a minimum as you would pass with 20 HCP if you have no fit nor their suit.

How about systemic bids that announce a fit and are forcing to game like Jacoby 2NT ? You can have complex understandings here and some partnerships do but the best is just use the basics of forcing pass theory. A Q bid means you have more on your mind. A double shows duplication and a minimum and may be our last opportunity for a plus. A pass means no slam interest and a minimum with nothing in their suit and “getting out of the way for your partner to double. Some partnerships use a double saying I have a systemic bid below their suit or a double means they took my bid away etc . I prefer just defaulting to forcing pass theory.

By the way if responder has not limited her hand , forcing pass theory is in effect by default. The auction goes 1♦-P-1♥-P 2♦-2♠-X . This is a plain old fashioned penalty double as you have limited your hand but I have not limited my hand. I am also “behind” the suit.

Going back to my original comment that forcing pass theory is the default in all auctions that you own the hand. In the IMP pairs at the Edm regional a tormentee violated forcing pass theory and it cost her the event . She was about to win 10 IMPS and instead lost 12 IMPs for a 22 IMP swing. She lost the event by a mere 13 IMPS. She opened 1NT vul and the opponents interfered with a 2♣ bid showing a single suiter. Partner made a forcing bid in hearts and RHO bid 4♣ and they converted to 4♦. Partner contracted for a vulnerable game by bidding 4♥ and they bid 5♦ . The tormentee had an excellent hand for hearts . A forcing pass tells partner that you have an excellent hand for hearts with a preference to bid 5♥ instead of defending. You pass and partner says thanks but no thanks and doubles them for +500 instead of you going for 500 in 5♥X. Forcing passes – do not leave home without them !