Forcing Pass After Interference

[pbleighton]

I understand that the forcing pass is a popular way to deal with interference after a strong club opening. Is it used by the responder at his first bid, or just by the opener or responder's rebids?

 

If it is used by the responder at his first bid, then what do you recommend for the other responses? Specifically, how do you show a very weak (0-4 hcp) hand?

 

If used later - i.e. 1C-P-1S-3C-P(forcing), what do you recommend for the other responses?

[inquiry]

Hi,

 

Perhaps I am not the best to discuss forcing pass as it relates to specific auction after 1CLUB openings. This is because although I play precision it is only occassionally and because I use responder's initial pass to show inability to make another bid rather than forcing. Thus it is possible, but not very likely, for my auction to go....

 

1C-(1S)-P-P-P

 

That is, responder's pass for me is not forcing, but opener seldom passes.

 

Your given auction:

1C-P-1S-3C-P(forcing),

Ths Pass is clearly forcing, because you are in a game forcing situtation. I play a double by opener over 3C here as "takeout". So anytime opener wants to penalize them, he should pass. Responder will of course bid. If responder bids a red suit, he has a big two suiter. If he bids 3S he has long spades. If he doubles, he is short in clubs.

[Rado]

Hi Pbleighton and Ben,

About first example: 1C(strong)-1S-p-p-?

depends wether we hade agree to trap-pass after our strong C is overcalled - if so then strong hand must reopen always. If pass shows only weak hand then reopening only when needed.

About 2nd ex: 1C-P-1S-3C-?

Here we have declared game forcing values and one 5+cards major suit. While Ben proposal is good and playable there is much to be said about reverse meaning of the bids:

DBL = almost penalty with misfit Sp

pass = cooperative DBL proposal, again with Sp misfit

new suit = natural offensive hand without desire for penalizing opps

fit=..as usual

This exapmple shows another good idea:

when overcalling/preempting after strong C and positive response, one must have pure hand (good suit) since it's easy to be penalized when right to and to be overbid when needed.

Regards, Rado

[pbleighton]

Rado writes:

"if we hade agree to trap-pass after our strong C is overcalled - if so then strong hand must reopen always. "

 

Playing forcing pass over LHO's overcall -

1) how high up would you recommend playing something like this - it seems risky to do this with a 2 level or higher overcall, which could push opener to the 3 level. It seems that most of the time the responder would have a weak hand.

2) if playing this, is the best response structure:

a) pass 0-4 or trap -good cards in opp's suit, dbl = 5-7, other = 8+

:( pass 0-7 or trap -good cards in opp's suit, dbl for takeout showing 8+, other = 8+

c) pass 0-4 or trap -good cards in opp's suit, dbl = 8+ any shape, other 5-7(8), invitational.

d) pass 0-5 or trap -good cards in opp's suit, dbl = for takeout showing 6+, other = 6+

e) any other suggestion

[Rado]

Playing forcing pass over LHO's overcall -

1) how high up would you recommend playing something like this - it seems risky to do this with a 2 level or higher overcall, which could push opener to the 3 level. It seems that most of the time the responder would have a weak hand.

In my view playing trap-pass :

1st level - yes

2nd level - maybe

3rd level - no

Other responses:

after 1st/2nd level overcall:

DBL = 5+ take-out, 8+ others

new suit at 1st level = 5+cards 5+points F1

non jump at 2nd level = 5+cards 5-8 NF

1Nt = 6-8 balanced, stopper

jump suit= good 6 cards FG

que = singleton/void FG

after 3rd+ level overcall:

DBL= FG take-out or better

suit=natural FG

 

Of course regular partnerships may introduce many, many other improvements, but above seems simple and works enough well

Regards, Rado