Lesson 4: More on the Forcing 1NT Response & Rebids

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When “2/1 is on”:

  • Responder is not a passed hand 
  • Opponents have not interfered 

then if Partner opens 1H or 1S, a response of 1NT:

  •  does not promise 6-10 points and a balanced hand; and
  •  is “forcing” for at least one round.

The purpose of the Forcing 1NT response is to help Responder describe their hand when they have a “problem.”

These are what Responder’s most common second bids mean:

  • Bid 3 of Opener’s Major with 3-card support and a good 10 to 12 points (basically, this is a 3-card Limit Raise).
  • Bid your own suit at the cheapest level, to show a weak hand with a long suit (at least 6). 
  • Bid 2 of Opener’s Major with 2-card support and 6 to 9 (or a bad 10) points.
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