October 2022 - 66

Special Contributor
Vic's Views
A better new minor forcing - part 2
L
ast time, we introduced twoway
new minor forcing, also
known as two-way checkback.
Here is the structure we discussed:
Opener
1'
1NT
Responder
1
?
2' = An artificial (Alertable) relay
to 2l, either to play in diamonds or to
show some invitational hand.
2l = An artificial (Alertable) game
force. Both partners bid naturally
after this.
2k = Pass or correct; no interest in
game.
2 = To play. Opener may not bid
again.
2NT = Artificial (Alertable) relay to
3', to play (like lebensohl).
3'/3l/3k/3 = Natural game-forcing
" picture bid. " More on this later.
We then discussed the cases where
responder has a weak hand or a
game-invitational hand. Now let's
talk about the case where responder
has a game-forcing (or even slam-invitational)
hand.
Most game-forcing auctions begin
with 2l by responder at their second
turn. Responder bids 2l with
game-forcing hands that don't have a
clear direction.
Here are some recommended
priorities (in order) for opener after
1'-1; 1NT-2l:
1 Show a four-card heart suit (responder
might have five spades and
four hearts). With game-going hands,
the 4-4 fit often produces an extra
trick compared to the 5-3.
2 Show three-card spade support.
(Note that some players reverse the
first two priorities. Because a game
66 | Bridge Bulletin | October 2022
force has already been established,
there's time to show support for either
major later in the auction.)
3 For all other cases, bid naturally.
This could mean rebidding a fivecard
minor, bidding a four-card suit
in the other minor, or bidding 2NT.
The advantage you have is that you
can intelligently explore best game
(or slam) and remain at a low level.
Once you find a fit, you can use your
excellent slam methods to explore
those possibilities.
So what about the picture bids
mentioned previously? These are
jumps to the three level that paint a
picture of a game-forcing hand that is
special. There are three hand types,
all of which highlight the suit(s) bid.
Note that this approach is contrary to
the usual methods where jumps are
invitational. Here are the three hand
types for responder:
1 A one-suited hand with a self-sufficient
suit (at worst, one loser).
2 A two-suited hand with very good
five-card suits.
3 A two-suited hand where the second
suit is the suit partner opened.
Some examples after 1'-1; 1NT:
K Q J 10 7 3 k8 lA 5 3 'A 8 2
Bid 3. There's a good chance that
4 is the best contract, even (especially)
if partner has a singleton.
Partner might have a single heart
stopper, and 3NT has no play on a
heart lead.
K Q J 10 5 k4 lK Q J 10 7 'A 6
Bid 3l. On a hand like this I
wouldn't be surprised to see 3NT go
down when we're cold for 6l! Isn't it
best to show your massive two-suiter
and then leave the final decision to
BY VIC QUIROS
vic@thebridgeclassroom.com
thebridgeclassroom.com
partner? Even at matchpoints, 5l
could be right.
K Q J 10 6 k5 lA 4 'K Q J 10 3
Bid 3'. Interest in a club slam,
which can be difficult to do using
other methods.
Picture bids are powerful. They
make partner the captain, since you
have virtually shown your hand. Remember,
if you have a game-forcing
hand but don't have a picture to show,
bid 2l and begin the exploration for
best game or slam.
Quiz
The auction begins 1l-1k; 1NT. As
responder, what's your bid with each
of the following?
1 A J 8 2 kA 7 6 5 lA 9 'K 10 3
2 7 4 kA K 8 7 3 lA 8 4 'K 9 4
3 K 7 6 kA 9 3 2 lA Q 10 7 3 '4
4 6 kA K 7 4 3 lA 2 'Q 9 8 5 4
5 5 kK Q J 9 7 6 3 lK 3 'A 8 3
6 7 kK Q J 10 3 lK 9 'K Q J 8 4
Quiz Answers
1 3NT. Just because you have this
cool structure, it doesn't mean you
should necessarily use it.
2 2l, the prototype for this bid.
You'll play 4k if partner has threecard
support, otherwise 3NT.
3 2l, game-forcing with no clear
direction. Your next bid will be 3l.
No hurry to get to 3NT.
4 2l. Although you have two pretty
good suits, they are not good enough
to highlight them with a picture bid.
continued on page 74
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October 2022

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