_____ We often encounter situations in uncontested natural auctions where Partner completes the description of hir hand with a 2NT rebid and we remove to 3-of-a-suit.
_____ The perenniel problem that partnerships face is this question of whether the removal to 3-of-a-suit is forcing. At first blush, one might conclude that the answer is "no" whenever the suit is an "old" (i.e. previously bid) one while a new suit would be forcing.
_____ Surprisingly, 3 on the first auction (i.e. 1:1:2:2NT:3, when Clubs is an old suit) is forcing while 3 in the second auction (i.e. 1:1NT:2:2NT:3, when Clubs is a new suit) is not forcing! _____ "But that makes no sense!" one might say. Actually, yes, it does, providing we understand a fundamental rule which supercedes our general notion that "new suits are forcing, old ones aren't". _____ This general rule, applicable whenever Partner finishes the description of hir hand with 2NT, is: IGITSAP: "Is Game In This Suit A Possibility?" _____ "A possibility" here refers to the simple arithmetic of point-counting. It is granted that there are a lot of hands where the pair can and will make game with far fewer than the required 26 (for majors or 3NT) or 29 (for the minors) points. _____ In the first auction (1:1:2:2NT:3) the 3 is forcing since 2 showed a range of 13-18 points. 18 + 12 > 29. Hence, since 5 is still possible, 3 is forcing. _____ By contrast, in the second auction (1:1NT:2:2NT:3) the pair cannot have enough for 5 (18 + 10 < 29). Hence, while 1:1NT:2:2NT:3 is "forward going" (otherwise, pass Responder's 2NT bid) for many, it is not forcing.
_____ 3 is not forcing here since 2 limited Opener's hand to a bad 16 points. 16 + 12 < 29. _____ Are there any exceptions to the IGITSAP rule? Yes, but they are rather obvious ones: 1. When Responder makes a 1 round forcing 4th Suit Forcing bid and then rebids that suit. Comments Opener Responder Comments 13-21 points, 5+ Hearts. 1 1 6+ HCPs, 4+ Spades, forcing 1 round. 13-18 points, 4+ Clubs. 2 2 4th suit forcing for 1 round. 13-14, natural. 2NT 3 Signoff, 5-5 Diamonds & Spades. 2. For most pairs a "stutter raise" of 2-over-1 Responder's suit shows a minimum. Comments Opener Responder Comments 13-21 Points, 5+ Hearts. 1 2 11+ HCPs, natural 1 round force. 13-21 points, catchall rebid. 2 2NT 11-12 points, natural signoff. For most a weak Club raise. 3 Pass Discuss this with Partner! _____ And that is all there is to knowing whether a rebid over Partner's 2NT rebid is forcing or not. Bridge is such a simple game. Why complicate it?
