{"id":24657,"date":"2022-06-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=24657"},"modified":"2022-07-11T08:37:06","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T06:37:06","slug":"fourth-suit-forcing-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/fourth-suit-forcing-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"Fourth Suit Forcing for everyone: Lesson (Part 1\/3)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fourth suit forcing falls under the heading of what teachers call \u201cResponder\u2019s rebid\u201d. It is a conventional bidding agreement which is only used in the absence of a satisfactory natural bid. Yet unlike many other conventions, it is a must-have. Here is a summary of it which is both simple and comprehensive, to be read and reread.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick links<\/strong><\/p>

1. Under which conditions can one use fourth suit forcing?<\/a><\/p>

2. When to use fourth suit forcing<\/a><\/p>

3. Opener\u2019s action after fourth suit forcing<\/a><\/p>

4. Responder\u2019s third bid<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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You do not sit down at a table, asking your partner as you do so, \u201cDo you play fourth suit forcing?\u201d<\/em>. This is a key component of the five-card-major system. The objective of this article is to familiarise you with this convention for constructive auctions, which is one of the most fun for its diversity and continuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Under which conditions can one use fourth suit forcing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The use of fourth suit forcing implies that three suit have already been bid, which excludes no-trump rebids by the opener and bids of previously bid suits. In our lesson, Responder\u2019s first bid will always be a change of suit at the 1-level and never, therefore, 2 of a new suit over a 1-level opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This summary will also not go into strong rebids by Opener, reverses or jump shifts. The sequences that you are going to work on therefore concern the use of fourth suit forcing after a cheaper second suit has been bid, such as 1♥-1♠-2♣, and that of a rebid of unknown strength, such as 1♣-1♦-1♠. The primary role of fourth suit forcing is a request for further information about Opener\u2019s hand. It guarantees at least 11 HCP <\/strong>in order to not find yourselves stranded at a too-high level on the third round of the auction. It should only be used in the absence of a suitable natural bid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As indicated by its name, it is forcing<\/strong>: Opener is obliged to respond; but it also promises a third bid from the Responder<\/strong> (unless Opener has just jumped to game). Fourth suit forcing is not forcing to game in the French system. <\/strong>You should stop bidding when (and only when) Responder has exactly 11 HCP opposite a minimum opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong> : When the fourth-suit-forcing bid is a reverse, it becomes forcing to game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three possible sequences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remember : Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\u2022 Conventional bid.
\u2022 Used when there is no suitable natural bid available.
\u2022 11 HCP or more.
\u2022 Forcing for one round.
\u2022 Responder is promising a follow-up.
\u2022 Not game-forcing.
\u2022 Asking for information.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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2. When to use fourth suit forcing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To understand its usefulness, let us begin by remember the non-forcing nature <\/strong>of several of Responder\u2019s rebids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2.1. Repeating a suit, no matter the level.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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3♥ is an encouraging bid that promises six cards in Hearts and around 10 HCP; for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

♠10<\/strong> ♥AQ10984<\/strong> ♦K107<\/strong> ♣953.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2.2. Supporting Opener\u2019s second suit at the 3-level, with or without a jump.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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11-12 points, four trumps.<\/p>\n\n\n

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8-10 HCP, four or five cards in Clubs, four or five cards in Spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2.3. NT bids are all non-forcing. Aside from the 1NT response, they show a balanced distribution within a precise range and a stop in the fourth suit.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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