2008-02-11 07:33

Hand Evaluation – 1♥ ( Forcing NT )

PITBULLS:

Opening 1♥ followed a forcing 1NT , happens very frequently. It follows that we should pay special attention to this sequence. One tool that we have that is unique to this sequence is a reverse to 2♠ . This reverse can be very handy to show a number of strong heart hands but not just hearts & spades. In order to accomplish this task , we must give up 2NT as Lebensohl after a 2♠ reverse & a forcing 1NT. Instead define 2NT as a relay which responder must bid unless he has a reason to break the relay ( more about that later ) .

One of the spinoffs of this treatment is allow clarification of the 3♦ strong jump shift as showing a strong hand with at least 5♦’s. It also means that the 3♣ jump shift will mean something other than a strong jump shift into a 4 card club suit. Why ? because we define 3♣ or 3♦ after the forced relay of 2NT not to be a spade reverse at all but a strong jump shift into that 4 card minor !!

OK , now for the real reverses into spades. They can be only a few set pattern types . 5-4-3-1 , 5-4-2-2 or 6-5 , 6-4 so lets define some bids after 2NT to show these . Lets take the 5-4-3-1 first & zero in on the stiff. 3♠ will be the lower ranking stiff ( clubs ) & 3NT the higher ranking stiff ( ♦’s ) . That pattern is now complete. We only have 3♥ left by opener after 2NT, so lets give it an either/or meaning of showing all the remaining patterns. This means that a further relay will be necessary later to clarify the ambiguity. 3♠ is obviously the further relay so if opener now bids 3NT , the 4-5-2-2 is shown. After the 3♠ relay , concentrating on the stiff again , 4♣ or 4♦ shows the stiff with a 6-4-2-1 pattern. This leaves a bid of 4♥ to show the 5-6-1-1 pattern. Perfect !!

Breaking relays is also a powerful concept associated with relays in general. Since reverse’s are not forcing to game , you need an escape sequence. Breaking the relay to 3♥ is allowed to be passed. Bailing out to your long minor can also be passed. These are the only two cases where breaking the relay is allowed.

The negative inference of not reversing to 2♠ & making a strong jump shift into a minor is handy.

1♥-P-1NT-P

3♦ now becomes a picture bid of a red two suiter. A jump shift into clubs can only be a strong one suited hand in hearts or a two suiter in hearts & clubs. This distinction is also nice to narrow down the hand types of your strong jump shifts.