Spectrum Series - Lesson IV

The 2/1 GF Response

 

WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
3
The central theme of the 2/1 GF system is that Responder often must define the auction as game-forcing before the pair has established a fit.   This auction can be dropped in SAYC, but not in 2/1 GF, when Opener might have 21 points !    
      The only way to deal with this problem is to devalue any marginal 13-point hand that lacks support for Opener's suit.
x     J x x     A Q x x     A Q x x x
Opposite 1♠, one might prefer 1NT to 2♣.
      A second challenge for 2/1 GF pairs is to limit one of the hands, so as to stop short of unmakeable slams.  
      New 2/1 GF pairs have to concentrate their efforts on finding ways to limit their hands as early as possible in game-forcing auctions.   One of the best tools for accomplishing this is stringent use of the Principles of Fast and Slow Arrival.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3
      After 1♠:2♣:2♦, a rebid of 2♠ will show 16+ points, while 3♠ will limit Responder to 13-15 points.
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4
      Similarly, 1♠:2♣:2♠:3♠ shows 16+ points, while 1♠:2♣:2♠:4♠ is a signoff with 13-15.   This jump in partner's suit, then, is called a "necessary" jump, since we need it to distinguish the weak from the strong raise of Opener's suit.  
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4
      Jump rebids in Responder's own Minor suit (e.g., 1♥:2♣:2♥:4♣) show a solid suit, 19-21 points and command partner to begin cuebidding en route to a slam.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4
  
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
Any Pass 4
The opposite is true, if Responder jumps in Hearts.   1♠:2♥:2♠:4♥ is a sign-off with 13-15 points, while rebidding the Hearts up to 4♥ shows 16-18 points, suggesting a slam.  
      Jumps in new suits are cuebids, showing 19-21 points, confirming partner's last bid suit as trumps, and commanding partner to cuebid.   This may be Opener (1♠:2♦:4♣) or Responder (1♠:2♣:2♥:4♦).
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
4

      With 13-15, we will often raise directly to game.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
4
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4

      Holding 16-18 points, we will raise simply
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
3
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3
(1♠:2♦:3♦ or 1♠:2♣:2♥:3♥) so as to leave room for partner to cuebid, if interested in slam.   It follows that partner can sign off in game (1♠:2♦:3♦:3NT or 1♠:2♣:2♥:3♥:4♥), if disinterested.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
3 Pass 3NT
  
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
4

Questions

  1.   What do you bid as Responder after 1♠:2♥:2♠ ?  
    (a)     K x x     A Q J x x     Q x     Q x x
    (b)     K x x     A K J x x     x x     A K x
  2. What do you bid as Opener after 1♠:2♥:2NT:3♥ ?  
    (a)     K Q J x x     x x     A J x     Q x x
    (b)     A x x x x     K x     K Q x     A x x

Rebids Without a Fit

      Having forced game with a 2-over-1 response, Responder will often rebid 2NT as a probe.   This allows Opener to complete a description of hir hand via a natural rebid.  
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
3NT
      If Opener is flat relative to previous bidding, Opener will often rebid quanti-tatively in NoTrump.   1♠:2♣:2♦:2NT:3NT suggests 5-2-4-2 distribution and 13-16 points, while 4NT would suggest 17-21 points.  
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
3
      With a more distributional hand, Opener can cite a reason for eschewing NoTrump.   For example, a delayed raise of Responder's minor (1♠:2♦:2♠:2NT:3♦) will show the 13-15 point hand, since with 16-18 Opener would have raised diamonds immediately (1♠:2♦:3♦).  

Limiting Opener's hand, when we have a Minor-suit fit, is particularly important, since we may need to stop in 3NT, whenever Responder has less than 19 points.  
Opener
K Q x x x
A Q
Q x x x
x x
  
Responder
J x
J x x
A K x x x
A J x
1♠ = 13-21 points, 5+ Spades. 2♦ = 13+ points, 2/1 GF.
2♠ = Temporizing bid.  5+ Spades. 2NT = No Spade fit, probing.
3♦ = 13-15 points, Diamond support.   3♠ = No Heart guard to show.
3NT = Heart stopper.
Here, Opener can also "PATTERN OUT" by bidding a 3-card "RESIDUE".   For example, 1♥:2♣:2♦:2NT:3♠ would show a 3-5-4-1 hand.   This approach may help the partnership find a Minor-suit game, when 3NT will fail:
Opener
A K x x x
x
Q J x x
Q x x
  
Responder
x
Q x x
K 10 x x
A K J x x
1♠ 2♣ = 2/1 GF response.  
2♦ 2NT = "Tell me more."
 3♣ = 5-1-4-3,
   or
5-0-4-4. 		Responder will now go to 5♦, not 3NT.  

      Responder will often use the 2NT rebid instead of introducing a new minor suit at the 3-level when minimal.   After 1♠:2♥:2♠, a 3♦ rebid will tend to show 16+ points, or a shapely 5-5 red two-suiter.   Responder is, in effect, authorizing a 4♦ raise, even if Opener is minimal.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
3
      Opener will often bid the 4th suit at the 3-level, to show a 13-15 point hand with support for Responder's last bid Minor suit.   1♠:2♥:2♠:3♣:3♦, then, suggests 4 Clubs and 13-15 points; with 16+ points, Opener can raise to 4♣ en route to a possible 6♣ slam.  
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
??

Questions

1.   What do you bid as Opener after
(a)     A J x     A K 9 x x     A J 10 x     x
(b)     Q x x     A Q J x x     K J 10 x     x
(c)     K x     K Q J 10 x     A x x x     x x
(d)     K x     A Q J 10 x     K J 10 x     K x


Showing Opener's Minor

      If Responder makes a 2-over-1 response, Opener will always introduce a new 4+card suit, if it is lower ranked than Opener's first bid suit.   1♠:2♣:2♠, then, promises an unbalanced hand and DENIES a 4+card red suit.   With 6-4 in the Majors, then, Opener will rebid 2♥, not 2♠, after 1♠:2♣ or 1♠:2♦.   LATER, Opener will rebid the Spades to show the 6-4 two-suiter.  
In this way, after 1♠:2♦:2♠, any Heart rebid by Opener will be an "Impossible Major" bid.
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
3
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3 Pass
3

      Opener will often use an "Impossible Major" suit bid, to support Partner's minor.   1♠:2♣:2♠:3♣:3♥, then, suggests a minimum hand with some Club support.   Indeed, 1♠:2♣:2♠:3♣:3♦ would be an "Impossible Minor".   Opener, then, will be bidding hir better red suit in this case.   Change the scenario to 1♠:2♦:2♠:3♦, though, and only 3♥ is available as a supporting gesture.   In the event of 1♠:2♦:2♠:3♣ a 3♥ rebid will support Clubs, since 3♦ is available as a natural rebid supporting Diamonds.  

TOOBAD and NOTA

      One of the distinguishing features of 2/1-K is the reliance on Opener rebidding hir major (e.g., 1♠:2♦:2♠) to imply a minimum — even with good support for Responder's suit.
      In essence, then, the 2-over-1 response to a Major-suit opening is treated in much the same way as Reverse Drury, with Opener rebidding hir Major to show a minimum.   This gives rise to the albeit oversimplifying acronym Two Over One Bids Are (Reverse) Drury.  
6 5 4 3 2     A x     K x     A Q x x
      After 1♠:2♣ rebid 2♠, not 3♣.  
      If, after the rebid of a Major, Responder is still interested in knowing more, Responder will take things slowly with a 2NT rebid.   This allows Opener to disclose any support for Responder's suit, if Opener has it.
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1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
3
After, say, 1♠:2♦:2♠:2NT:3♦, Responder will know that Opener has a minimum hand with 4-card Diamond support and 5+ Spades.   Other rebids over 1♠:2♦:2♠:2NT are natural (given that 2♠ denied 5-3-3-2 types) except one:
      3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Responder's suit.  
      3♣ = 4 Clubs, minimum.  
      3♦ = 4+ Diamonds, minimum.  
      3♠ = 6-3-3-1-ish, short in Responder's suit.  
      3♥ = None Of The Above.   6 Spades & 3 Diamonds.  
      With all other hand types eliminated, "None Of The Above" (i.e., "NOTA") here will mean a hand with 6+ Spades and 3 cards in Responder's suit.   After a 2♣ response to a Major-suit opening, there will be two NOTA bids.   For example, after 1♠:2♣:2♠:2NT we'll see:
      3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Responder's suit.  
      3♣ = 4 Clubs, minimum.  
      3♠ = 6-3-3-1 type, short in Responder's suit.  
      3♦ or 3♥ = None Of The Above.  
     Here again, the NOTA's show 3-card support for Responder's suit and a 6+card major.   Given TWO choices, though, Opener will bid hir longer/stronger of the two unbid suits.  
    A K x x x x     x x x     x     A J x
After 1♠:2♣:2♠:2NT rebid 3♥.  
    A J 10 x x x     x x     Q x     K Q J
After 1♠:2♣:2♠:2NT bid 3♦.  
Remember: the 2♠ rebid in the above examples DENIED 4 Diamonds or 4 Hearts.  
     In the case of a Heart opening bid, there remains the possibility of a 4-5 major 2-suiter.   For this reason, 3♠ over 2NT is required to show these hands, and is NOT a NOTA bid.  
After 1♥:2♣:2♥:2NT we may see:
      3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Clubs.  
      3♣ = 4+ Clubs, minimum.  
      3♥ = 6 Hearts, perhaps 4♠, 0-2 Clubs.  
      3♠ = 4-5 in the majors.  
      3♦ = None of the above.   Hence, 6 Hearts, 3 Clubs.  
After 1♥:2♦:2♥:2NT, there is no NOTA.   Hence, we will see:
      3NT = 6-3-2-2 type, doubleton in Diamonds.  
      3♣ = 4+ Clubs, minimum.  
      3♦ = 3+ Diamonds, minimum.   9+ red suit cards.  
      3♥ = 6+ Hearts, short in Diamonds.  
      3♠ = 4-5 in the Majors, 0-2 Diamonds.  
 

Questions


  1. Playing 2/1-K with TOOBAD and NOTA, what do you rebid as Opener after this auction with:
WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
??
(a)    A x    K Q 10 x x    Q J x x    x x
(b)    K Q x    Q x x x x x    A x    K x
(c)    x    A Q J x x x    A x x    J x x
(d)    A x x    A Q J x x x    x    Q x x

NoTrump Rebids by Opener After a 2-Over-1

      After a Major-suit opening bid fetches a 2-over-1 response, 2NT (13-16) and 3NT (17-19) will handle all 5-3-3-2 type hands.
      After 1♠:2♥, these NoTrump Rebids will show 5-2-3-3 specifically; with 3-card Heart support we will raise to 3♥ (16-19) or 4♥ (13-15) with the 5-3-3-2 types.  
      Things are slightly more difficult after 1♦:2♣.   Here, there is a real possibility of a 4-4 fit in a Major.   Therefore, 1♦:2♣:3NT is not useful to show 17-19 point hands; it would make a 4-4 fit in a Major difficult to find.   For this reason, ALL flat hands other than the 18-19 point 3=3=5=2 hand will rebid 2NT after 1♦:2♣.  
      If Responder rebids a Major, as with the auctions 1♦:2♣:2NT:3♥ or 1♦:2♣:2NT:3♠, weaker NoTrump type hands will bid game in 3NT or the Major (with 4 card support).  
      Stronger ones will cuebid, support Responder's Minor suit or make a quantitative 4NT rebid.  
A Q x     A x x     K Q x x x     K x
After 1♦:2♣:2NT:3♥ rebid 4NT, inviting 6NT.  

Discussion Points

      1.   Do you Cuebid First-round controls first, or Cuebid First- and Second-round controls indescriminately during the first round of Cuebids ?
      2/1-Kaltica     = 1st and 2nd round controls
      2/1-Spectrum = 1st and 2nd round controls
      2/1-Shep        = 1st and 2nd round controls

      2.   What does an "unnecessary jump" show ?   For example, would 1♠:2♦:2♠:4♣ be a cuebid of a control, a shortness or a profound 2-suiter ?  
      2/1-Kaltica     = 1st or 2nd round controls
      2/1-Spectrum = 1st or 2nd round controls
      2/1-Shep        = 1st or 2nd round controls

      3.   What is the meaning of 1♠:2♦:2♠:2NT:3♥ ?   Is it a NOTA showing six Spades and 3+ Diamonds OR is it natural, 6-4 in the Majors ?  
      2/1-Kaltica     = NOTA
      2/1-Spectrum = NOTA

      4.   What is the strength of 1♠:2♦:3♦ ?   13-18, or 16-18 ?
      2/1-Kaltica     = 16-18
      2/1-Spectrum = 16-18

      5.   What will we do with a flat 18-19 points with a 4-card Major after 1♦:2♣.   Bid the Major?   Rebid 2NT?   Rebid 3NT?
      2/1-Kaltica     = Rebid the Major.
      2/1-Spectrum = Rebid the Major.

      6.   What will we rebid as Opener with 18-19 points and 3=3=4=3 after 1♦:2♣.   3♣?   2NT?   3NT?
      2/1-Kaltica     = Rebid 2NT, reserving 3NT for 3=3=5=2.  
      2/1-Spectrum = Rebid 3NT.  


Final Quiz

      1.   What do you bid as Responder after 1♠:2♦:2♥ ?  
(a)    K J x    A x    K Q J x x x    A x
(b)    K J x    x x    K Q J x x    A x x
(c)    A x    x x x    A Q x x x    K J x
(d)    A x    A Q x    K Q x x x    Q J x

      2.   What do you bid as Responder after 1♥:2♣:2♥ ?  
(a)    K Q x    A x    x x    A K Q x x x
(b)    K Q x    A x    K x    A Q 10 x x x
(c)    x x    A Q x    x x x    A K x x x
(d)    A x    A Q x    K Q x    K J x x x

      3.   What do you bid as Opener after: 1♠:2♦ ?  
(a)    K Q J x x    x x    A x    Q J x x
(b)    K Q J x x    x    A x    A Q J x x
(c)    J x x x x    K Q x    A Q x x    x
(d)    K Q J x x    K Q x    x x    A x x
(e)    A K x x x    x x x    K x    A x x

--------------- Last Revised 01-09-1999 ---------------

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