Part 2: the sequence 1♣ – 1♥ – 1♠

by Michel Bessis & Philippe Cronier

Contents

With a spade fit
With a hand containing five or six hearts
With a balanced hand oriented toward 3NT… or more
When a minor-suit contract is a possibility…
Practice exercises

Second part of the analysis of the responder’s bidding in the featured sequence: what should you do with hands that are strong enough to force to game?

You must, of course, be able to determine the best game contract.

But given the uncertainty about the opener’s strength, the continuations must also allow both hands to be accurately evaluated so as not to miss a slam.

The responder will often—but not always—use the fourth suit forcing to achieve this.

With a spade fit

The simplest situation arises when the responder learns, on the second round, that the partnership has a spade fit.

They must of course hold four spades, and can then adjust their strong support bids accordingly:

• With enough strength to reach game, and no special extra values, they will simply bid 4♠. A hand such as ♠K1083 ♥AJ85 ♦K75 ♣Q2 is suitable. This bid covers the 13–15 HLD range, no more.

• In the same strength range, but with a hand containing a shortness (singleton or void) in a minor, the responder has access to two splinters at the 4-level: 4♣ or 4♦. It is important to stress that these bids do not show extra strength. ♠A1084 ♥KJ1073 ♦K52 ♣2 is enough—a hand that could produce a slam if opener holds a strong balanced hand without wasted values in clubs, for example.

• From 16 HLD points, the responder is too strong for a direct raise. They must first go through the fourth suit forcing, then support on the next round.

After the start of the sequence: 1♣ – 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♦ – 2♥ or 2NT. West still has a choice between two spade support bids:

With an even stronger hand, West will use the forcing raise to 3♠. This is now a serious slam try, over which opener will show their first control if their hand is suitable.

4♠ shows a hand too strong for an immediate sign-off in 4♠ over 1♠, but not strong enough to seriously consider a slam opposite a minimum opener. This bid shows 16–17 HLD.