Forcing Next Step
With this approach, the next step bid over the major open is forcing and unspecified. "Forcing next step," also known as the "Kaplan Inversion", is a mid-chart convention in the ACBL.
- 1♠ - 1NT is forcing, unspecified
- 1♥ - 1♠ is forcing, with responder having 0-4 spades
- 1♥ - 1NT is forcing with responder showing 5+ spades.
One immediate benefit of this is that the correct major fit can be found. In standard forcing notrump, responder with 5 spades bids 1♠ over opener's 1♥ but if she also has 2 hearts she does not then know whether to rebid 2♥ or 2♠. In forcing next step, opener will raise 1♥ - 1NT to 2♠ if she has support, so if she makes another bid, responder can happily give preference to 2♥.
The forcing next step approach has the further benefit over the classic forcing notrump of allowing an opener with a balanced hand to define his point count range more tightly.
Here is a simple approach. Assuming the use of strong 1NT openings, the sequence 1♥ - 1♠ - 1NT would show a balanced 12-14 HCP with five hearts and 1♥ - 1♠ - 2NT would show 18-19 HCP with five hearts.
Here is a more complex approach: Over a sequence of 1♠ - 1NT, opener rebids:
- 2♣ = 12-16, 4 clubs, or balanced. (2♦ from responder finds out which, as well as the strength range.)
- 2♦/♥ = 12-16, 4 card suit
- 2♠ = 12-16, 6+ card suit
- 2NT = 17-18 balanced
- 3 any = 17+ natural
If responder wishes to know further about the 2♣ bid, she asks with 2♦. Opener rebids 2♥ = 12-14 balanced, 2♠ = 12-14 club suit, 2NT = 15-16 balanced, 3♣ = 15-16 clubs.
Similarly with a sequence starting 1♥ - 1♠, opener rebids:
- 1NT = 12-16, balanced, or 4 spades. (2♣ from partner finds out which, as well as the strength range.)
- 2♣/♦ = 12-16, 4 card suit
- 2♥ = 12-16, 6+ card suit
- 2NT = 17-18 balanced
- 3 any = 17+ natural
If responder wishes to know further about the 1NT bid, she asks with 2♣. Opener rebids 2♦ = 12-14 balanced, 2♥ = 12-14 spade suit, 2♠ = 15-16 spade suit, 2NT = 15-16 balanced. Note that if responder and opener both have 4 spades, they can still play in 2♠ in spite of the artificial response.
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Read more about this topic: Forcing Notrump
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