______ One of the principle differences between 2/1-GF and SAYC is the forcing response to a 1 or a 1 opening bid by partner. While some will play the response as only semi-forcing, such that Opener can pass with a 5-3-3-2 type minimum, the orthodox approach is to treat the 1NT response as 100% forcing. In face-to-face bridge Opener "announces" this bid, by saying out loud "Forcing" as soon as it is bid. On OKBridge it should be self- alerted, and explained as "Forcing One Round", or "f 1 rd".

______ The forcing 1NT response is, at once, the strength and weakness of the 2/1-GF system. Critics are quick to point out that the obligation to force beyond the 1NT mark is suicidal at Matchpoints, where 1NT is often the last and best spot to play flat or misfitting hands. Supporters of 2/1-GF, on the other hand, point to the many different hand types that can be described via this flexible response.

Opener's Rebids After 1H:1NT and 1S:1NT
______ After a 1 opening bid receives a 1NT reply from Responder, a strong Opener has these options:

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	1NT!	Forcing for 1 round.
2NT	---	17-19, 5-3-3-2 type.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	1NT!	Forcing for 1 round.
3	---	17-19, 6+ Hearts.

______ The above two options are not forcing in themselves, but any non-game rebid by Responder will be forcing. 1:1NT:3:4, then, is a cuebid in support of Opener's Hearts, since we would not "fight" Opener's major in order to play in a minor.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	1NT!	Forcing for 1 round.
2	---	18-21, 4+/5+ majors.

Opener	Responder	Explanation
1	1NT!	Forcing for 1 round.
3 or 3	---	19-21, Jump shift.

______ The jump shift is forcing to game. The reverse is virtually forcing for one round.

______ Similarly, after 1:1NT, we will have non-forcing but strong rebids of 2NT (17-19) and 3 (17-19).

______ A single-suited weaker Opener will rebid the major only with 6+ card length there.

Opener

AJ10xxx

Ax

Kxx

Jx

Rebid 2 over 1:1NT.

Opener

AJ10xx

Axx

Kxx

Jx

Do not rebid 2 over 1:1NT. Prefer 2 here.

______ As the above 5-3-3-2 hand illustrates, Opener will often rebid in a 3-card minor opposite the forcing 1NT response--especially with a flat hand in the 13-16 point range. In fact, with a 4-5-2-2 hand, not strong enough to reverse into 2, Opener may even rebid 2C on as few as two of them! For this reason, Responder must be cautious about passing or raising any such minor without 5+card support.

______ Some modernists play that 1M:1NT:2 is the rebid with any 5332 distribution type, and therefore 1M:1NT:2 shows a 4+ card suit. We don't recommend this, but want you to know it is an option.

______ Holding a 2-suited hand, Opener will tend to bid the second suit, with two notable exceptions:

1. A 2 rebid, being a reverse, will require 18-21 points.
   
   
2. If our major is 6+ cards long, we will tend to bid a four card suit only with 16-18 points and only when the 6-card major is not strong. With 13-15, we will rebid the 6-card major, to limit our hand as quickly as possible (e.g. 1:1NT:2).
   

Opener A

Ax

AJ9xxx

x

KJxx

After 1:1NT, rebid 2, not 2 here.

Opener B

AK109xx

Ax

AQxx

x

After 1:1NT, rebid 3, not 2 here.

Opener C

K10xxxx

AQxx

AK

x

After 1:1NT, rebid 2, not 2 or 3.

Opening 1NT with a 5-card Major (5-3-3-2 type)
______ In SAYC Opener can open 1 or 1 with 15-16 and Pass any 1NT response. Only with 17 (when 1NT Responder might have 9 points) does the 1NT response prove awkward. Hence, many SAYC players will choose to open 1NT only with 17 points, preferring the major with 15-16 in case Responder has 3-card support--or even 4-card support and 6-8 points, insufficient to find the fit opposite 1NT.

______ In 2/1-GF, though, the forcing 1NT Response can prove embarrassing to any flat 15-17 point 1 or 1 Opener. For this reason far more 2/1-GF pairs than SAYC ones will open 1NT with 15-16 points and a 5-3-3-2 type which includes a 5-card major. In essence, the 2/1-GF Opener is trying to "beat Responder to the punch" by opening 1NT.

______ One benefit of opening such 5-3-3-2 hands 1NT is that Opener's raises to 2NT after 1:1NT and 1:1NT now show 18-19, not 17-19.

Questions

Opener

KQxxx

QJx

K10x

Kx

#1a.	What do you bid after 1:1NT?

Pass.

Two Clubs.

Two Diamonds.

Two Diamonds.

Opener

KQxxx

Ax

AQx

Kxx

#1b.	What do you bid after 1:1NT?

Pass.

Two Clubs.

Two Diamonds.

Two No Trump.

Three No Trump.

Opener

KQJxxx

xx

Qx

KQx

#1c.	What do you bid after 1:1NT?

Pass.

Two Clubs.

Two Spades.

Two No Trump.

Opener

KQJxxx

Ax

x

Qxxx

#1d.	At Matchpoints, what do you bid after 1:1NT?

Pass.

Two Clubs.

Two Spades.

Opener

KQJxxx

AQxx

x

xx

#1e.	What do you bid after 1:1NT?

Pass.

Two Hearts.

Two Spades.

Three Hearts.

Three Spades.