Thursday, August 17, 2006 12:49 AM

Hand Evaluation – 2/1 Non Forcing

PITBULLS:

The line that “Bridge is a game of suits” is attributable to the bidding genius Benito Garozzo . From my own experience , saying that he is correct is an understatement. One of my most significant systemic changes over the years is playing a 2/1 not forcing to game if the suit was rebid. This understanding was after a major opener so the forcing NT was cleansed to being more of a NT bid. This cured the disgusting habit of hiding 6 card suits with a forcing NT bid so never recovering after that. Believe it or not , this is a hand from a Spingold with the partnership being Rodwell & Meckstroth.

♠void ♥AQxxx ♦AJxxx ♣Kxx opposite ♠Jxx ♥K10 ♦xx ♣AQ109xx Rodwell opened 1♥ , Meckstroth hid his nice 6 card suit with a forcing NT. Rodwell rebid 2♦ so Meckstroth giving partner maximum leeway due to their “style” bid 2♥. Rodwell giving maximum leeway to Meckstroth due to his style , passed two hearts & that’s where they played it.

7♣ is a lucky make as the breaks were very favourable. What a difference if partner responds 2♣ non forcing to game instead of the hideous 1NT. 7♣ is probably not reachable but you get to 6♣ without breathing hard. This was during the 90’s where the Bridge World was in a constant battle with the “modern bidders” . These “modernists” had to bend over backwards all the time to give maximum leeway to their partners due to their horrendous opening bids & overcalls. The so called “modern style”

Here is a direct quote from Jeff Rubens of the Bridge World in discussing the leeway Meckstroth & Rodwell gave each other on this hand. “If you are one of those who enjoy sneering at modern bidding , this last deal of the quarter is going to be worth the price of a year’s subscription , at least. ”

Anyway , taking good 6 card suits away from the clutches of the forcing NT was one of the best systemic changes I have ever made. Getting to good games & partials notwithstanding , this left the jump bid for something much better after a forcing NT. The fit showing jump after a forcing 1NT emerged to show a fit for partners 2^nd or even 1^st suit This understanding fixed a number of problem hands that existed with the forcing 1NT structure. By playing the 2/1 non forcing to game you have combined the best of the Goren standard 2/1 with good suits along with 2/1 as a game force for most auctions.