Friday,
September 02, 2005 8:43 PM
Hand
Evaluation - 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 . We start with a
2/1 auction so they interfere with a T/O double. When they come uninvited to our forcing auction the name
of the game is a fit. 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 so you are
not leaving in the eventual penalty 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 when the opponents make a T/O double in your forcing auction ? Bidding NT is a rare bid possibly only bid if you
are vul & they are not .
Therefore , the only non fit bids with forcing pass
theory are pass and redouble. The opponents with their double have given
your partnership an opportunity to give more information , so let’s take advantage of it. A
pass means you just have an opener or better , no
length in their suits and no fit with partner . 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 & 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 & make your natural bid. This leaves two alternatives to show the non fit hands pass & double. The double is obvious so 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
& are forcing to game like Jacoby 2NT ? You can
have complex understandings here as some partnerships do but the best in my
opinion is just use the
basics of forcing pass theory. A Q bid means you have more on your
mind. A double shows duplication & a minimum so
may be our last opportunity for a plus. A pass means no slam interest
, a minimum with nothing in their suit so “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 opener has limited her
hand but responder has not limited her hand. She is also “behind” the suit.
Going
back to my original comment that forcing pass theory is the default
, in all auctions where you own the hand. In the IMP pairs at the Edm regional a tormentee violated
forcing pass theory so it cost her the event . She was
about to win 10 IMPS , instead lost 12 IMPs for a 22
IMP swing. She lost the event by a mere 13 IMPS. She opened 1NT vul , the opponents interfered with a 2♣ bid showing a
single suiter. Partner made a forcing bid in hearts , RHO bid 4♣ , pass & they converted to 4♦. Partner contracted
for a vulnerable game by bidding 4♥ so they bid 5♦ . The tormentee had an excellent
hand for hearts . A forcing pass at the 5
level tells partner that you have
an excellent hand for hearts with a preference to bid 5♥ instead of defending.
You pass , partner says thanks but no thanks &
doubles them for +500 instead of you going
for 500 in 5♥X because you took a bid. Forcing passes – do not leave home without them !