Forcing Notrump - Opener's Rebid

Opener's Rebid

Opener is forced to bid again:

• 2 of original major shows a six-card suit
• 2 of a lower-ranking suit shows a second suit (which of necessity may be short - see below)
• 2NT is natural and invitational (showing about 18 HCP)
• 3 of a new suit (jump shift) is natural, normally agreed to be game-forcing, and shows about 19 points or more

When opener does not have a six-card original suit nor a four-card lower-ranking second suit, she will have to bid a short suit. Normally, she bids her three-card minor. If she has three cards in both minors, she bids 2 clubs.

If opener holds exactly four spades, five hearts, two diamonds and two clubs (and thus originally opened 1 heart), she bids 2 clubs (a two-card suit!). There is no point in showing the spades, because responder has denied holding four spades (having skipped the 1 spade response to bid 1 notrump). After a 1 spade opening, however, there is no distribution that would compel opener to rebid a two-card suit.

Some partnerships agree not to rebid a 2-card suit, preferring to promise 3+ cards. This allows responder to pass with 0,1 hearts and 4+ clubs. Instead, these partnerships rebid 2♥ (violating rule #1), or pass (if playing Semi-forcing notrump.)

The forcing next step variation (discussed below) overcomes these problems by allowing opener to show a balanced hand, or any second suit and guarantee 4 cards in it, yet still offer the option of playing in 2 of the major.