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Dear Ed and Peter,
Does the 'reverse' apply to responder as well as opener? I have it in mind that responder needs 11 points to reverse — is that correct?
Thanks Avril Knappett
Reply Ed Hoogenkamp (South) and Peter van der Linden (North)
Dear Avril, Yes, reverse does apply. By general agreement it's game forcing as long as no fit has been established. | West | North | East | South |
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—
| — | — | 1♦
| | pass | 1♥ | pass | 1NT | | pass | 2♠1 | | |
1 Game forcing NS haven't found a fit yet, so this reverse by responder is game forcing. Assuming NS do not open unusually light, it shows at least 12-13 HCP therefore (not 11+ as you state). But: | West | North | East | South |
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—
| — | — | 1♦ | | pass | 1♥ | pass | 2♥ | | pass | 2♠1 | | |
1 Game try ('trial-bid)
This time the heart fit has been established. North's 2♠ bid is invitational to 4♥, therefore and shows at least 10 points (more is possible however, since the bid is one round forcing; North may also bid like this to investigate a slam). Whether this is a long suit trial, short suit trial, help suit trial or common trial is a matter of partnership agreement. The situation gets slightly more complicated when the reverse bid is the fourth suit forcing as well: | West | North | East | South |
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—
| — | — | 1♦ | | pass | 1♥ | pass | 2♣ | | pass | 2♠1 | | |
1 Fourth suit forcing but also reverse
In order to be consistent with the earlier stated 'game forcing as long no fit has been established' many partnerships have agreed this to be game forcing, 12/13+.
As a consequence: | West | North | East | South |
|---|
—
| — | — | 1♦ | | pass | 1♠ | pass | 2♣ | | pass | 2♥1 | | |
1 Fourth suit forcing but not reverse
...these partnerships play this sequence as one round forcing only. So if South were to show a minimum hand by bidding 2NT or 2♠, the bidding could stop below game.
However: opinions on 'how forcing is the fourth suit forcing?' differ. Some partnerships play the fourth suit consistently as game forcing; others have agreed it to be of invitational strength through-out (at least, that is: the fourth-suit bidder can be stronger of course, he will have to make a strong bid over a minimum reply then). So to be honest: we know opinions on this subject (fourth suit) vary widely in Netherlands alone. Usually there is less bidding-anarchy in the US. So perhaps there is a common agreement on that side of the Atlantic, but we can't tell.
Perhaps others visitors can help Avril out here? PS: In his draft (short) reply, Ed wrote here: 'Peter for sure has a strong opinion, but my strong advice is to ignore him...'
Peter, who has added to and edited Ed's reply (resulting in their common reaction above), doesn't understand: 'Ignore me? Since I agree with you, readers should ignore you as well, then?' 'Un saludo desde Barcelona' and 'En hils fra Orkanger' |