Structure 7G68 by Richard Pavlicek

One Notrump Forcing 6-14

In a Nutshell

The forcing 1 NT response to a major has been around for ages, typically with a range of 6-12 HCP; and some players treat it as semiforcing (is that like half pregnant?) because of the upper limit. To me, a bid is either forcing or not; and if forcing it should be put to broader use.

Therefore, I extend the range to 14 HCP and incorporate special rebids by responder to show 13-14. Most innovative is that any jump shift rebid is a “value raise” of opener. Another advantage of the 6-14 range is that a 2 NT response (natural) shows 15-17 HCP (like a 1 NT opening) which facilitates slam bidding decisions.

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Details

The 1 NT response to 1

or 1

shows 6-14 HCP (it may be less with a trump fit) and denies 4 spades after 1

. It is forcing.

West
1 M
? North
P East
1 NT South
P

•
•
•
•

Call
2 , 2
2 after 1
3 after 1
4 after 1
4 , 4

4 M
Other Meaning
13-18; 3+ cards
19+ with 4-5 shape or 16+ with 4-6; F
minimum; 5-6 shape; NF
minimum; 6-5 shape
19+; 3 cards w/honor; 7 cards in M
(broken); F
19+; excellent suit
standard

Rebids by responder:

West
1 M
2 m

North
P
P

East
1 NT
?

South
P

•

•

•

Call
New suit
2 M
2 after 1

2 NT
3 m
JS below 3 M

3 M
JS above 3 M
3 NT
4 m
4 M Meaning
6-10; 5+ cards (3 = 6+); NF
6-10 with doubleton or 4-7 with 3+
12+ raise of m (then 2 NT or 3 m by
opener is NF)
11-12 (good 10); I
9-11; 4+ cards (usually 5); I
13+ value-raise* of m (then 4 m by
opener is NF)
11-12 (good 10); 3 trumps; I
13+ value-raise* of M
13-14; balanced; NF
freakish; 6+ trumps; I
12-14; 3 trumps; unslammish
*A value-raise shows normal trump support for opener’s suit, usually with the king or queen in the suit bid; further, if just one unbid suit remains, this implies no secondary honors in the unbid suit.

West
1
2 North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

Call
3 , 3
3
4 , 4
4
Other Meaning
6-10; 6+ cards; NF
9-11; 4+ trumps; I
13+ value-raise of
9-12; usually 5 trumps
as previous auction

West
1 M
2 M North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

•

Call
3 M
2 after 1

Jump shift
4 M
Other Meaning
2+ trumps; I
at least 5-5 in minors; limit bidding
follows
13+ value-raise of M
sign-off
as previous auction

West
1
2 North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

Call
2 NT
3 , 3
3
3
3 NT
4 , 4 Meaning
weakness or waiting; F
5+ cards; GF
10+; 3 trumps; GF
10+; 3 trumps w/honor; GF
10-12; minors stopped
10+; value-raise of

West
1 M
2 NT North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

•

• Call
3 , 3 , 3 M
3 after 1
3 after 1

Jump shift Meaning
sign-off attempt
5+ cards; F
at least 5-5 in minors; limit bidding
follows
13+ value-raise of M

West
1 M
3 m North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

•
Call
New suit
3 M
3 after 1
4 m
Jump shift
4 M Meaning
5+ cards
weak hand (assumed) or 13+
11+ raise of m
weak raise
11+ value-raise of m
10-12; slam invitation

West
1
3 North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

• Call
3
4 , 4
4
4
5 , 5 Meaning
weak hand (assumed) or 13+
6+ cards; F
weak raise
10-12; slam invitation
11+ value-raise of

West
1 M
3 M North
P
P East
1 NT
? South
P

•

• Call
3

4 , 4
4 after 1
Jump shift Meaning
at least 5-5 in minors; limit bidding
follows
6+ cards; F
6+ cards; NF
11+ value-raise of M

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