Structure 7G72 Main

One Notrump Forcing 6-14

by Richard Pavlicek

In a Nutshell

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

Therefore, I extended the range to 14 HCP and incorporated special rebids to show the game-forcing subset. Most innovative is that a jump-shift rebid is a “value raise” of opener’s suit. Another advantage of the 6-14 range is that a natural 2 NT response now shows 15+ (at least a 1 NT opening) which facilitates slam bidding.

In Detail

After a 1 or 1 opening, a response of 1 NT shows 6-14 HCP (rarely less with a fit) and denies 4 spades after 1 . Obviously it is forcing.

1
? Pass 1 NT Pass

2 2
2
2
2 NT
3 3
3
3
3 NT
4 4
4

•
13-18, 3+ cards, NF
13-15, 6+ hearts, NF
17+ with 6+ hearts else 19+, F
16-18, I
19+, 4+ cards (rare 3), GF
16-18, 6+ hearts, I
4+ spades, 6+ hearts, GF
19+, NF
19+, splinter, 6+ hearts
19+, 6+ hearts

1
? Pass 1 NT Pass

2
2
3
3
4
Other

13-18, 4+ hearts, NF
13-15, 6+ spades, NF
19+, 4+ hearts, GF
16-18, 6+ spades, I
16-18, at least 5-5, NF
same as above

Rebids by responder

1
2 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

2
2
2
2 NT
3
3 3
3
3 NT
4
4
4

•

•

•
6-10, 6+ diamonds (rare 5), NF
6-10 with 2 hearts or 4-7 w/3+, NF
11+, agrees clubs
11-12, I
10-12, 5+ clubs (rare 4), NF
13+, club raise, values in bid, F
11-12, 3 hearts, I
13-14, NF
10-12, 6+ clubs, I
13+, heart raise, diamond values
13+, 3 hearts, NF

1
2 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

2
2
2 NT
3
3
3
3
3 NT
4 4
4
4

•

•

6-10, 5+ hearts, NF
6-10 with 2 spades or 4-7 w/3+, NF
11-12, I
6-10, 6+ clubs, NF
10-12, 5+ diamonds (rare 4), I
13+, diamond raise, heart values
11-12, 3 spades, I
13-14, NF
13+, spade raise, values in bid
10-12, 6+ diamonds, I
13+, 3 spades, NF

1
2 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

2
2 NT
3 3
3
3
3 NT
4 4
4
4

•

6-10 with 2 spades or 4-7 w/3+, NF
11-12, I
6-10, 6+ cards, NF
9-11, 4+ hearts, I
11-12, 3 spades, I
13-14, NF
13+, heart raise, values in bid
12+, 4+ hearts, NF
13+, 3 spades, NF

Note that responder’s jump shifts always show support for opener’s second suit, unless beyond 3 NT when second suit is a minor, then opener’s first suit. Value jumps (not splinters) are used because if responder has a splinter it is almost always in opener’s original major.

1
2 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

2 *
3 4 4
3
4
Other •
•

8+, at least 5-5 minors, F
13+, heart raise, values in bid, GF
11-12, 2 hearts, I
13+ with 2 hearts or 11+ w/3+
same as above

*limit bidding follows

When opener shows extras

1
2 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

2 NT
3 3
3 3
3 NT
4 4
4

•
weak or waiting, F
6+ cards, F
10+, 3 cards, GF
10-12, NF
11+, heart raise, values in bid
8-10, NF

1
2 NT Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3 3
3
3
4 4

•
• weak, 6+ cards (rare 5), NF
weak, sign-off attempt
at least 5-5 minors, GF
11+, heart raise, values in bid

1
2 NT Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3 3
3
3
4 4 4

• weak, 6+ cards, NF
5+ cards, F
weak, sign-off attempt
11+, spade raise, values in suit bid

1
3 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3
4 4 •
at least 5-5 minors, GF
6+ cards, F

1
3 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

4 4
4
6+ cards, F
6+ hearts, NF

1
3 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3
3
3
4
4
4

•

•
5+ diamonds
weak or waiting, 2+ hearts
11+, club raise
6-10, 4+ clubs
11+, heart raise, diamond values
11-12, 3 hearts

1
3 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3
3
4
4
4
4

•
5+ hearts
weak or waiting, 2+ spades
6+ clubs
4+ diamonds
11+, spade raise, heart values
11-12, 3 spades

1
3 Pass
Pass 1 NT
? Pass

3
4 4
4
4

weak or waiting, 2+ spades
6+ cards, F
4+ hearts (rare 3)
11-12, 3 spades

Structure 7G72 Main Top One Notrump Forcing 6-14