How to Greatly Improve Your 2/1 Game-Force Bidding

In this lesson:

the ability to establish a game-forcing auction after two bids while only at the 2 level is a great way to start an auction. Once both players immediately know they are going to game (at least), they can go slowly and exchange information without any fear that their partner might pass.

Accordingly, almost everyone is playing 2/1 GF these days. Unfortunately, although this makes it easier to have a good auction, too many pairs often fail to get to their correct contract. Why is that?

They have not learned or discussed what should happen AFTER the 2/1 GF response. For starters, there are no fewer than 7 key issues that every pair must discuss and resolve as to how opener should rebid!

And there's more:

• - How should responder rebid?
• - What should happen on the third round of the auction?
• - Etc. etc.

That's what this lesson is all about.

Once you go through Marty's 72 helpful, well-explained examples, you will be delighted with the excellent contracts you are now able to reach.

In this lesson, Marty will explain:

• - Secrets that will greatly improve your bidding judgment.
• - How opener can make it easy for responder to choose the best contract.
• - Opener's correct mindset when choosing a rebid with an awkward hand.
• - Helpful guidelines for responder's first bid with a borderline hand.
• - When is it correct to rebid a strong 5-card suit.
• - How you can induce your opponents to lead your best suit.
• - What are the very few times where jumping is sensible.
• - Helpful little-known tips that will help you reach the best contract.
• - How to KNOW it's right to play in 3NT despite having a fit in a major.
• - The perfect solution when you are stuck for a bid.

Here is an example of what Marty will teach:

As dealer, you hold:

♠K Q J 9 7  ♥J 7 5 4 3  ♦A 4  ♣K

What would you bid?

Now that you know your club king is a useful honor, you do have more than a minimum opener. So you expect to make a game (at least). But, if you bid 3♥ to show 5 cards in your second suit and responder has 3-card support, you are going to end up in a heart contract. However, because of your very weak suit, in 4♥ you might lose several heart tricks and go down while 3NT or 4♠ or even 5♣ might be cold. Always keep in mind: The strength of your suit(s) DOES MATTER.

And although you have a diamond stopper, it would also be very wrong to bid 3NT. While that might be the best contract for your side, there are many, many potential hands for your partner where after the expected diamond lead, you would wish you were elsewhere.

Fortunately, there is a flexible, non-committal solution. After a 2/1 GF response, the bid of the 4th suit isn't needed as 4th suit game forcing. Instead, it should be regarded for both opener and responder as a stall or waiting bid. Although it is often based on no stopper in the 4th suit, it doesn't deny one.

So, the standout bid here is a flexible 3♦, which preserves all options. (This artificial bid is alertable).