A few questions about Standard American

[mikl_plkcc]

I have two questions about Standard American bidding about forcing or not, stated in the poll.

 

1. Is opener rebid at 1-level forcing or can be passed, if responder has a minimum?

2. Is responder rebid showing preference at 2-level after 2/1 response forcing or can be passed, if opener has a minimum?

[smerriman]

Neither is forcing.

 

But it's pretty rare that I'd pass with the first one - I'd raise to 2♥ with a minimum and 4 card support, so would expect responder to have a minimum with 3 hearts and preference for a 4-3 fit over 1NT or 2♣.

 

Responder needs to jump to 3♠ to force with the second.

[TylerE]

1. Passable in theory, but very rare, basically only passing with a super-weak 4441 type hand that couldn't stomach passing 1m.

2. That this is NF is what makes it SA and not 2/1.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

#1 I voted NF, but I dont like it.

#2 I voted F, ..., but given, that I am American, I can hardly claim, that I know Standard American.

The thing is, I can come up with a hand, that wants to bid a nonforcing 2S, you have 2NT for bal. inv. hands,

so 2S cant be bal., and similar I dont think semi bal.

 

And making 2S F/NF is not the difference between Standard and 2/1, my take on Standard is, that 2D can be passed,

but see my level of knowledge.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[smerriman]

#2 I voted F, ..., but given, that I am American, I can hardly claim, that I know Standard American.

The thing is, I can come up with a hand, that wants to bid a nonforcing 2S, you have 2NT for bal. inv. hands,

so 2S cant be bal., and similar I dont think semi bal.

In 2/1, to show an invitational hand with 3 card support, you bid a forcing 1NT and follow up by bidding 3♠.

 

In Standard American, 1NT denies an invitational hand, so you show that hand by bidding 2 of another suit, then supporting spades cheaply (with a jump to 3♠ game forcing). Inviting with 2NT would deny spade support. Opener should therefore be rejecting the invite by passing 2♠ with a minimum.

 

And making 2S F/NF is not the difference between Standard and 2/1, my take on Standard is, that 2D can be passed,

but see my level of knowledge.

2♦ is forcing in both - in Standard American, a 2/1 promises a second bid.

[Winstonm]

You can figure out the answer by understanding SA principles. The dividing line in SA for a 2-level response is 10 points. Less must did 1N or a suit at the 1-level.

 

So, if opener has xx, AKxxx, KQxx, xx and responder holds Kxx, Jxx, xx, AQxxx the auction would be:

 

1H-2C

2D-2H

P

[mycroft]

For #1: it's NF, but remember, opener's jump to 2 is GF. So she can be a good 19; game could still be available with many misfitting minimums. My explanation for the bid is "not forcing, but never passed", or "not forcing, but if I pass I'd better be right'. (Note: same in 2/1, so I've done it three or four times - and been right every time).

#2 is similar. it's NF, yes, but partner has promised 10, and this isn't necessarily a preference auction. What's 1♥-2♣; 2♦-3♥? What's ...-2NT? What's ...2♠? What's 1♥-3♥? It could be that this is the only way to show Tx KQx Jxx AJxxx. So again, I wouldn't pass unless I knew it was right.