Friday, November 08, 2002 6:39 PM

Head Evaluation - Forcing NT ( SJS )

PITBULLS:

This article will discuss strong jump shifts and jump rebids after a 1NT response . This is mostly review but these treatments should be well understood as misunderstandings are always in the -12 IMP range or worse . The 3♣ multi - purpose strong jump shifts greatly assists these sequences as limit raise hands are shown by simply breaking the relay. The diamond SJS is still natural though , so the following should assist with those hands.

Luckily we have a generalization to help us out in these sequences . The rarified atmosphere of the 4 level is always for Q bidding after a jump rebid or jump shift . Partner who has just made a jump rebid or a strong jump shift is not interested in hearing about your silly suit at the 4 level . At the 3 level your bid is natural and shows a suit . At the 4 level , your Q bid can be an implied Q bid which means it can be in support for either of partners’ suits .

O.K. the forcing NT can quite often show a 3 card limit raise in partners major . How do you show that hand after partner makes a jump rebid or a strong jump shift ? Two schools of thought on that one but I treat a simple preference as a waiting bid and fast arrival to game as the weaker hand with 3 trump. This treatment prevents dangerous slam tries at the 5 level while giving partner the room to bid 3NT over a forced weak 2 card major preference.

1♠ 1NT

3♦ 3♠ ( waiting ) could be limit raise if a Q bid later

1♠ 1NT

3♠ 4♣ ( slam try with limit raise )

Since we are on the subject of jump shifts be sure to shade jump shifts a little for 5-5’s and 6-4’s over 1NT .

♠AKJxx ♥AKJxx ♦xx ♣x This is a strong jump shift not a 2♥ or 3♥ invitational rebid . Your points are all in your suits and

headed by Aces & Kings

♠AKJxxx ♥AKJx ♦xx ♣x This is also a strong jump shift due to your 6-4 and rich in controls .

Do not put too much strain on your simple rebid with overly strict requirements for a jump bid . It is better to jump shift and “back pedal” . Missing vul games in IMPS is a no no .

When you open a heart , partner bids a forcing NT you always have spades as an idle bid . With some of my old partners , I used the bid to show a minor two suiter . At the 3 level it takes a Q bid away though .

1♥ 1NT

2♥ 2♠ ( minors )

1♥ 1NT

3♥ 3♠ ( minors )

O.K. special consideration is needed when partner jump shifts in diamonds . A direct raise to 4 of a minor is constructive as you cannot Q bid at the 3 level . You should suppress your minor fit and bid 3NT with a minimum & soft values. Fast arrival to 5 of a minor game in these auctions shows a hand pretty useless for slam .