In this quiz we will examine your knowledge of 2/1 Game Force. If after taking any of the quiz (or the other quizzes in this category) you would like to learn more about 2/1 please visit the Articles Pages in the Learning Center where you'll find several articles on this subject. You might also consider getting Larry's book on 2/1 Game Force HERE or try Michael's 2/1 Webinar series which you can find HERE.
In this series of quizzes we will examine your knowledge of 2/1 Game Force. If after taking any of the quizzes you would like to learn more about 2/1 please visit the Articles Pages in the Learning Center where you'll find several articles on this subject. You might also consider getting Larry's book on 2/1 Game Force HERE or try Michael's 2/1 Webinar series which you can find HERE.
When partner opens 1 or 1 and you have opening bid values, it is best to get into a 2/1 GF auction when possible. When the opening is 1, however, and you have 5+ spades, you can't suppress the suit; you have to start with 1 and catch up later.
What if you have opening bid values and support for partner? With 3-card support, start with a 2/1 in your longest suit. Your 2/1 response promises at least 4 cards. The auction 1-2 is the only 2/1 response which guarantees 5+ cards. Yes, you are stuck in the exact situation where partner opens 1 and you have a 3=4=3=3 GF. You will have to tell some lie (I prefer 2 on the 3-card suit). However, I like to play 1M-3NT as a balanced 13-15 (3 trumps and any 4-3-3 in the other suits), so that can often solve the 3=4=3=3 dilemma.
With 4-card support for partner I prefer to show it right away (either via a Jacoby 2NT or a Splinter-raise if in range). A Splinter-raise shows 4 trumps, 0-1 in the suit and about 12-15 in support. With more, don't use a Splinter bid (start with Jacoby 2NT).
Remember, that 2/1 GF is off in interference (if they double or overcall). It is also off (of course) if the responder is a passed hand.
You might also consider getting Larry's book on 2/1 Game Force HERE or try Michael's 2/1 Webinar series which you can find HERE.
Partner opens 1 or 1. You have 14 HCP with 4 spades and 4 clubs. Do you bid 1 or 2?
Or, more generically, what do you do with a choice between responding on the 1-level in your major or the 2-level in a minor?
Here is the quick answer:
A876
32
A32
KQJ8.
With 13+ HCP and a 5+ card major, respond in the major. For example, respond 1 to 1 with:
76
KJ764
A3
AQ32.
With not enough to force to game, respond on the one level in the major. For example, respond 1 to 1 with:
Q765
54
Q6
K7654.
For more details see this article.
When playing 2/1 you need to do something as responder with 11 or 12 point hands that aren't good enough to game force. I recommend playing Semi-Forcing Notrump. This agreement means that 1NT by responder after an opening bid of 1 or 1 shows 6-12 points, and can be passed. This agreement is easy since the opener rebids naturally. Yes, you might occasionally miss a game, but it's much easier than playing the other popular treatment: Forcing Notrump.
In conjunction with Semi-Forcing Notrump, I like to play that jump-responses to 3 of a lower-ranking suit are natural and invitational. If you have an unbalanced raise of partner, you can jump to 3-of-the-major. With a balanced limit-raise, respond 1NT and jump to 3-of-the-major.
It's simple once you get the hang of it. Try it out in this quiz. Or read this article to learn why we play this way and review it.
You might also consider getting Larry's book on 2/1 Game Force HERE or try Michael's 2/1 Webinar series which you can find HERE.