Friday, July 18, 2003 3:14 AM

Forcing NT - Strong Jump Shifts

PITBULLS:

A partnership should have solid understandings dealing with forcing NT and strong jump shifts. Quite often you are planning to make a limit raise in a major and partner makes a strong jump shift. The principle of “fast arrival” comes into effect does it not ? No , it is not that simple . Quite often you have to make a forced preference to partners major with a doubleton as you do not have a 3NT call. In fact , 3NT might be the ultimate contract choice but bid by the strong jump shift hand. Leaping to 4 of a major will get you to the wrong contract ( 5-2 fit ) when 3NT is the place to play .

Pitbull Kiz has the best way of handling this situation . Play a preference of 3 of a major as ambiguous but opener assumes a limit raise and Q bids accordingly . If the one NT bidder drags her feet then she has the bad hand and a forced preference. A jump to 4 of a major is weak but has 3 trump and ruffing power. Quite often you bid 1NT with a major fit because you are too weak to respond two of a major . These hands are described with a jump to game after a strong jump shift. This preserves the simple major raise as semi-constructive which is a good thing.

A limit raise hand will always Q bid as a courtesy . Remember that the 4 level belongs to the Q bids . A suit is natural at the 3 level and always a Q bid at the 4 level after a strong shift . Therefore you should always give immediate preference at the 3 level with the limit raise hand.

Q	A	x	J
x	K	x	10
x	x	x
		x
		x

1♠ pass 1NT

3♣ pass 3♠ preference 1^st then Q bid at the 4 level.

Most good partnerships have the understanding that a limit raise always shows 4 trump . I strongly believe in that so I always bid 1NT first with 3 trump and limit raise HCP range.

I disagree that a Q bid can be ambiguous and mean support for either of partners suits after a strong jump shift . Partner should always give preference for the major first. An immediate Q bid at the 4 level should always imply a fit for the 2^ND suit.

x	Q	x	A
	J	x	K
	10	x	x
	x	x	X

1♠ 1NT The 4♣ implies hearts not spades as we would give a

spade preference first. Leave the 3 level for natural

3♥ 4♣ bidding.

x	A	x	x
x	K	x	x
	J		x
	x
	x
	x

1♠ 1NT 3H is hearts not a Q bid as it is at the 3 level.

3♦ 3♥

x	A	Q	x
	K	10	x
	x	x	x
		x	x
		x

1♠ 1NT 4♦ is a highly constructive bid . Bid 3NT with a

diamond fit but no interest in more. 3♥ is not

3♦ 4♦ a Q bid !!