March 2024 - 66

Special Contributor
Vic's Views
Two-over-One: 1NT forcing?
Semi-forcing? Nonforcing?
T
wo-over-One (2/1) has become
the most popular system
in the U.S. and in many countries
around the world. In the original
2/1 system, a 1NT response to 1M
(1M is either major) is a one-round
force. This has two major benefits:
1. Responder has a second bid that
can be useful in certain game-invitational
situations.
2. With a weak hand and a long suit,
responder will occasionally get to
play in that suit instead of 1NT.
However, the original system has
two significant defects:
1. We usually cannot play in 1NT,
which may well be the best spot. Advocates
of 1NT forcing claim that 2h
or 2s is probably as good as 1NT, but
this has become a minority view.
2. With a three-card limit raise, we
get to the three level, often suffering a
minus score.
1NT Nonforcing
To address the first defect, more
and more players are playing a 1NT
response as nonforcing. The idea is
that opener, with a balanced 12 or 13
HCP, can and will pass. Opener need
not rebid a three-card minor with a
minimum balanced hand, so that a
rebid of 2c or 2d is usually a fourcard
suit or longer.
Terminology
Although the 1NT response is
nonforcing, the original term used to
describe this method is " semi-forcing, "
a term that is confusing at best.
Unfortunately, both the old and new
convention cards use this terminology.
Although there is no universal
agreement on this, I suggest that, if
asked, you explain the 1NT response
as showing 6-11 HCP, nonforcing.
66 | Bridge Bulletin | March 2024
Of course, this approach is not
without its issues:
1. With a balanced 15-17, opener
will be virtually forced to open 1NT,
even with a five-card major. Most
experts are already doing this, as are
many advancing players. Although
you might fail in 1NT when you can
make 2M or 3M, opening 1NT typically
avoids nasty complications in
the subsequent bidding.
2. When opener bids 1M and responder
has a three-card limit raise,
you may very well play in 1NT.
A proposed solution
Here's a common structure that,
although it adds a bit of complexity,
addresses all of the issues and provides
a complete solution:
Responding to an opening bid of
1M:
1. A 1NT response is nonforcing,
8-11 HCP (perhaps a poor, misfitting
12).
2. 2d is a natural game force.
3. After a 1s opening bid, 2h is a
natural game force.
4. 2c is a relay, " forcing " opener to
bid 2d. Responder has one of three
hands:
a. A game force with clubs
b. A balanced game force
c. A three-card limit raise of
opener's major
Openers rebid after a 1NT response
(all natural):
1. Pass is a balanced minimum.
2. 2c or 2d is nonforcing.
3. 2NT is 18-19 balanced.
4. A jumpshift is game forcing.
5. After a 1h opening bid, 2s is a
reverse, forcing for one round.
6. After a 1s opening bid, 2h is
nonforcing.
After the relay 1M-2c; 2d, respondBY
VIC QUIROS
vic@thebridgeclassroom.com
thebridgeclassroom.com
er bids as follows:
1. 2M shows a three-card limit
raise of the major.
2. 3M is game-forcing in the major,
usually with three-card support.
With four, you would use Jacoby 2NT.
3. Any other bid is a natural game
force.
Is opener forced to take the 2c
relay?
After the 1M opening bid, 2c is a
relay to 2d. Opener should accept the
relay unless there is something very
special to say, such as hands that
have at least mild slam interest. Otherwise,
it's best to simply bid 2d and
let partner bid their hand. There's no
need to give the opponents unnecessary
information. Here are some
examples of breaking the relay after
1M-2c:
1. 2NT: 18-19 HCP, balanced
2. 3c/3d: a five-card suit with slam
interest
3. 3M: close to a 2c opening bid
with a very good suit
4. 1h-2c; 2s: a reverse with slam
potential
5. 1s-2c; 2h, the one auction that
is not game-forcing. This is a natural
one-round force.
See Quiz on page 71
http://www.thebridgeclassroom.com
March 2024

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