Forcing Passes

Forcing Passes Revisited

[September 8, 2003]

There are three types of forcing passes all with the same condition that you own the hand. Owning the hand means you are in a game forcing auction, bid a vulnerable game or have doubled for penalty or redoubled to show strength. Also owning the hand means you have shown a limit raise or better type of hand with emphasis on the better. A straight limit raise or bidding a non vulnerable game in a major does not turn on forcing passes.

Type I forcing passes are the most common. You and partner have a fit and have bid game or about to bid game. The forcing pass rules in these situations are:

1) double shows the worse hand with possible losers in the opponent's suit.
2) pass shows a willingness to play the hand
3) bidding says I think we should play this hand
4) A cuebid as a slam try
5) pass and pull the double is a grand slam try or a request to cuebid further.

Type II forcing passes occur when your side does not have a fit or it is unknown if you do have a fit. A penalty double or redouble has switched on the forcing passes. An example auction would be:

1	Pass	1	Dbl
ReDbl	1	?

There are rules for this auction also:

1) The pass means I am getting out of the way for you to double and am happy to defend.
2) Doubling by yourself is self evident.
3) Bidding in front of the impending double means that you are weak and distributional and would have pulled the double anyway.
4) Passing and pulling the double is never done from a position of weakness or you would have bid already so it is a slam try. These bids are normally done on fit and vulnerability conditions with game/slam on your mind.

Type III forcing passes are a special case of penalty doubles and bring D.S.I.P. doubles into play. These are auctions where your side has the balance of power but the opponents have a big trump fit and essentially begging you to double them. These are auctions where they have jumped to game in a major after an opening bid or and overcall or have found a huge fit via Michaels or Unusual 2NT. In these auctions we have to make the assumption that trump stack doubles do not exist. If they do exist you are forced to pass and hope partner doubles.

Example auction:

1	2	Dbl	4
?

In this auction your double switches on forcing passes as you said you were willing to play 2 of a major doubled for a huge set. The opponents have heard you and still jumped to 4. Trump stack doubles can not exist in these auctions. The immediate double should show a flat defensive hand with 2 or more trump and just trying to get a plus. A pass is a willingness to defend 4 as you do not have any outstanding distribution. An immediate bid is a distributional hand. A pass and pull of the double is again a slam try.

What is a double or bid by the other hand if you pass? The double is Do Something Intelligent Partner as I can not have trumps on this auction. A bid is a distributional hand not willing to give you the option of passing a double. On this auction we can not have a fit or we would not have doubled the Michaels bid going in.

There is only one exception to forcing passes in penalty double situations. This is where partner has made a takeout or balancing double and you have converted for penalty. This does not switch on forcing passes. 1 - DBl - 1 - DBl and you pass with AK10xx xx xx Jxxx. If the opponents run, forcing passes do not apply. This so that you can expose psyches at a low level without having a forcing to game hand. The double means you have taken my bid away and 1 doubled will not make.

Forcing passes apply through the 2 level if partner has doubled 1NT for penalty and the opponents are running. If their bidding is natural, the first double is always shortness over weak NT’s and a pass shows their suit. This gives you the maximum flexibility to double them from either hand. If their bidding is artificial, the double shows that suit (trump stack double).

Forcing Pass Theory

November 05, 2003

The following is from the Bridge World

Doubles subject to no explicit agreement:

(a) [default]

When a pass would be forcing, a double discourages further offensive bidding

A double is for penalty when partner is limited; discourages further offensive bidding when partner is unlimited;

When you own the auction, forcing passes are on. Forcing passes can be “turned on” depending how the auction develops. Tom Gandolfo had a hand last night that shows forcing passes in action. Tom opened vulnerable against not a very bad hand

Spade AQJxx Heart xxx Diamond QJ Club Q10x

1	2	3	4
?

Partner's hand may be a limit bid so forcing passes are not on. A double of 4 Heart is for penalty and a pass shows a minimum hand.

Pretty simple stuff so far.

Pass	Pass	4	5
?

O.K. partner has now contracted for a vulnerable game so forcing passes are now on. The meaning of your pass and double changes. A double now “discourages further offensive bidding” using the language of the Bridge World. A pass would say “in the light of showing you a minimum previously I am short in their suit so if you want to bid 5 Spade its O.K. by me.”

A side issue of forcing pass theory is the meaning of a direct bid. If forcing passes are not on and you do not change the level of the auction, bidding your suit is the weakest bid you can make.

1	2	3	Dbl
?*

* A 3 Heart bid here would say I have a dog.

A pass leaves room for partner to take some action so its more encouraging and of course a cue bid is even a better hand.

If partner has forced to game say in this auction:

1	2	3	3
?

Forcing pass theory is now on even with the possible non fit as you own the hand. A double would say I am short in clubs or a minimum and this would be a good place to get a plus. A pass is a better hand then a double and we await further clarification by partner. A bid would in most cases confirm club support.

Do not forget that you have a responsibility in forcing pass auctions. Recently a partnership opened 2 Club and the opponents were sacrificing in 6 Spade not vulnerable against vulnerable. Partner held Spade xx Heart QJ10xxx Diamond J10xx Club x and neglected her forcing pass responsibilities and passed 6 Spade !! This pass shows 1st round control in spades in forcing pass theory and partner duly bid 7 Heart and went down one when they cashed the spade ace.

Forcing Pass (History)

[March 23 2004]

I am not sure when forcing pass theory came about. I think sometime in the 1940's. Experts put a different meaning to a pass when their side owned the auction. The pass at higher levels above game meant a mild slam try or a green light for partner to bid again. There is a pecking order in forcing pass theory. The double shows the worst hand of all the alternatives. This bid shows a bad hand. A bad hand can be a number of things in forcing pass theory. A bad hand could mean a doubleton in the opponent's suit, so we are warning partner of two quick losers in their suit. Bad hand also could mean duplication of value in their trump suit similar to a trump stack double. Lastly a bad hand could just mean that your hand will be a disappointment for your partner in that your hand is a dead minimum for your previous bidding. Warn partner of your dog by doubling, so just take your plus.

Be careful though about the warning aspect of the double in forcing pass situations. If the auction dictates that partner is very short in the opponent's suit, do not issue a warning about the length in their suit. Maurice and I had an auction recently where this came out but it was a disaster for the opponents.

1	3	4	4
5	Pass	Pass	5
Dbl

The doubler had a doubleton spade so was warning partner about his length in that suit. Partner had a void in spades but was worried that the double showed duplication so she passed. I made 5 doubled but the opponents make 7 unless we cash our club Ace. I know its counter-intuitive, but trust the opponents to show their known length in these types of auctions.

The 2rd best hand is shown by bidding your trump suit. Remember by bidding, you are preventing partner from doubling them, so you are probably have a very distributional hand unsuitable for defense. Also since you preventing partner from doubling them, you are convinced that you can make the contract.

The 3rd best hand is shown by passing. This bid usually has no extra for slam purposes but partner feels that our game contract can make in light of the auction. A pass gives partner room to cuebid, double the opponents or the green light to bid. Usually the pass shows shortness in the opponent's suit so this hand would rather play the hand than defend. The pass can also show a good opener so is getting out of the way for partner to cuebid or make a decision. Your pass is just describing your hand type to partner with your offensive preference.

The next best hand in forcing pass theory is a cuebid. This is an obvious slam try in the traditional cue-bidding sense. The best hand of the bunch is shown by a pass and pulling partner's double. This bid probably shows controls in both the unbid suits so just needs a suitable minimum hand by partner for a slam. Grand slams might be reached on these types of sequences. When you are at very high levels, a pass shows 1st round control in the opponent's suit with an interest in more.

I was playing with Maurice and held Jx AJ109 AKQxx Kx vulnerable. The auction went:

Pass	Pass	2	Dbl
3	4	Pass	Pass
4	Pass	?

Double by me. LHO bids 3 so Maurice contracts for a vulnerable 4 game. The vulnerability here with this type of auction (pre-empt and passed hand) turns on forcing passes. LHO now sacrifices to 4 so partner makes a forcing pass and around to you. Partner's pass shows a willingness to play 5 hearts. So he is either short in spades or maximum for his bid with the club Ace and the KQ of hearts. Anyway if partner has given you the green light to bid, you certainly go for it with this hand. Not a tough decision, in light of partner's pass. 4 doubled only goes for 300 so you save 8 IMPS due to partner's forcing pass.

Say the auction went a little differently. Say Maurice held xx xxxxx xx xxxx and of course he passes 3. I double again as I have 25 HCP's so I force Maurice to a vulnerable game. Maurice bids 4. I pass, LHO sacrifices to 4. Since my bidding has turned on forcing passes, Maurice must double to prevent me from bidding again. This certainly is a minimum hand so let's just take our plus! I hold xx AQJ10 AKQx AKQ so his double prevents a minus in 5. 4 doubled goes for 500 which is much better than -100 in 5. What if Maurice held x Kxxxx Jxxx xxx? In light of this auction with his previous pass, he actually holds a good hand! He should make a forcing pass. I would bid 6 so we collect 1430.

You hold Kxx AQ109x x KJ10x and are vulnerable against non vulnerable. Tom Gandolfo, your vulnerable partner opens 1. RHO bids 2 so you turn on forcing passes by making a slam try vulnerable with a 4 splinter. LHO is Steve Willard so of course he bids 5. Tom passes so what do you do? Tom's bid is only saying that in light of your bid I think we can make 5 but I am not interested in anything higher. You have your bid so there is nothing really extra for you to over rule partner's decision. You bid 5, collect +650 as Tom held Qx KJxxx xxx AQx. Tom held no duplication of value in diamonds, so he felt that 5 could make and he was right. What If Tom held Ax KJxxx xxx AQx? Still only 14 but the controls with no duplication of value indicates an interest in bidding 5 directly. By bidding, the auction can be interpreted as a mild slam try. If Tom bid, I would continue to 6 so that contract makes with that hand. What if I also held the singleton diamond Ace? With Tom's direct 5 bid, I would be encouraged to make a grand slam try of 6. Tom with his hand, should bid 7 as he has nice controls for his 5 bid.

Playing against opponents like Steve Willard and Alex Fowlie, your forcing pass theory gets a work out but that's why it was invented. This high level judgment is what partnership Bridge is all about. Forcing pass theory is just a tool to help deal with those type of players. The opponents are irritating you with their interference. Forcing pass theory fights back by using the opponent's interference to elicit information. Discuss forcing pass theory with your regular partner so you are on the same wavelength.

Forcing Pass (Auctions)

[August 2004]

In order to play D.S.I.P. doubles effectively, you must know when they do not apply. When we own the auction, forcing pass theory takes over. O.K. we will assume you know the understandings involved in forcing pass theory but let's examine the auctions which turn on forcing pass theory. There is also a when factor with forcing pass theory. Sometimes forcing pass theory does not click in until you or the opponents bid game with the opponents bidding again. Otherwise, forcing pass theory is in effect immediately.

Essentially forcing pass theory applies when it is clear that you own the hand. You must have your finely tuned ear to the bidding so you identify the auctions where forcing pass theory applies. Forcing pass auctions require you to be at the table and determine the context of the auction. Ownership is a hand evaluation concept skill that must be developed. Either we own the auction, they own the auction or nobody (D.S.I.P. competitive doubles). The obvious auctions that turn on forcing passes are when your partnership opens:

1. Strong 2

.
2. Direct 2/1 bid
3. A redouble 10 HCP +
4. Limit raise or better auction and game reached by either side
5. Systemic forcing bids (Jacoby 2NT, inverted minors, strong jump shift, reverse etc)
6. Game bid vulnerable against not in a non pre-emptive auction
7. Double of their NT (forcing through the 2 level)
8. Penalty double or conversion
9. Penalty double of a 2NT conventional bid (after weak 2 or similar)
10. 2/1 in competition and game reached by your side
11. 2/1 as a passed hand and game reached by you side
12. When it's obvious opponents are sacrificing against your game (they signed off previously or are two passed hands etc)
13.When you or your partner have voluntarily bid game after an adverse opening preempt (other than 4

or 4

), or preemptive jump overcall, all subsequent passes by your side are forcing
Example: 2

- 4

- 5

- P, or 3

- 4

- 5

- P, 1

- 2

- 4

- P (here we cannot jump to 4

with a weak hand since you do not pre-empt over a pre-empt). Unless we are vulnerable and they are not, the following sequence is an exception since we might be saving: 4

- 4

- 5

- P
14. When your side has overcalled at the two level and partner has responded in a new suit. You own the hand so forcing passes apply after you bid game.

Let's discuss a couple with examples submitted by Stan Cabay. A 2/1 in competition is forcing only one round if the suit is rebid but if you continue on to game, Forcing Pass Theory kicks in as your 2/1 shows a reasonable hand.

1	1	2	2
3	Pass	4	4
Pass	Pass	Dbl

East has KQx K109xxx xx xx, doubles for penalty which ends the auction.

Pass	Pass	1	1
2	2	3	3
4	Pass	Pass	4
Dbl

South has xx Ax QJx QJxxxx and is doubling to warn partner that 5 is not a good idea as per forcing pass theory.

Sometimes the opponents enter your game forcing auctions 2/1, Jacoby 2NT, Inverted minors, forcing 2 etc. Forcing pass theory should apply in all these auctions. If the fit is advertised like inverted minors or Jacoby 2NT the pass and double and pass and pull all have the standard forcing pass understandings. What if we do not have an advertised fit as in a 2/1? Forcing pass theory still applies obviously but the rules are different. A pass just means you do not have a fit with partner and you are going to respect her decision if she wields the ax. If you now pull the double, this is the “pass and pull” slam try. Supporting partner directly should show a minimum raise. Simple stuff.

Qxxx AKJ10x xx Ax
Qxxxx AKJ10x x Q10x
Qxxx AKJ10x x AKx

Let's try these hands after you open 1 with partner bidding 2 and RHO bidding 2. With the first hand I pass and wait to hear what partner has to say. She may bid spades, support hearts or double. If it is the latter, that is where they play this hand. The 2nd hand I just bid 3 since I am not leaving the double of 2 in as I have too many clubs and will destroy partners defense. The 3rd hand I pass 2 but for a different reason. I plan to pull the double to 3 as a slam try.

What about game forcing auctions where you may have relays or Jacoby like responses? Some people have special understandings that a double took my bid away or it means I have a bid in a suit ranking lower than their suit otherwise you just make your systemic bid and ignore their bid. Too much science even for yours truly. I prefer to play everything off except for forcing pass theory if they enter our game forcing auctions. Our inverted minors are a special case. They can be fit showing or a balanced hand. The double should be systemic to identify the balanced hand and a bid shows the minor fit. With Jacoby 2NT, standard fit showing forcing pass theory applies rather than science.

1	Pass	2NT	3
?

Forcing pass theory says you pass with shortness in diamonds and a willingness for offensive action. A double shows diamonds or warning partner that you may have quick diamond losers. A cuebid in a suit should imply a diamond control as you failed to double. Bidding your trump suit should show a minimum but shortness in diamonds as you did not double. When the opponents enter your forcing auctions, milk them for the maximum amount of information you can give partner. Always remember that they are allowed to play the contract doubled (Steve Williard and Osama).

AQJxx xxx QJ Q10x and the auction goes:

1	2	3	4
?

Partner's hand may be a limit bid so forcing passes are not on. A double of 4 is for penalty and a pass shows a minimum hand.

A side issue of forcing pass theory is the meaning of a direct bid. If forcing passes are not on and you do not change the level of the auction, bidding your suit is the weakest bid you can make.

1	2	3	Dbl
?

A 3 bid here says I have a dog. A pass leaves room for partner to take some action so it's more encouraging and of course a cuebid is even a better hand.

If partner has forced to game say in this auction.

1	2	3	3
?

Do not forget that you have a responsibility in forcing pass auctions. Recently a partnership opened 2 and the opponents were sacrificing in 6 not vulnerable against vulnerable. Partner held xx QJ10xxx J10xx x and neglected her forcing pass responsibilities and passed 6! This pass shows 1st round control in spades in forcing pass theory and partner duly bid 7 and went down one when they cashed the spade ace.

Forcing Passes - Kantar

September 04, 2004

Kantar has written an entire book on forcing passes. The forcing pass is the ultimate in the partnership aspect of bidding in Bridge. The theory allows both partners input into the final decision in auctions where you own the hand and when the opponents are making life difficult for you. This partnership element of forcing pass theory was the inspiration for D.S.I.P. theory. Both partners have input into competitive decisions where you do not own the hand. It is very important that you understand the bidding cues that turn on forcing passes. Overcalls and especially two level overcalls have reached opening bid status over the years. Forcing pass theory applies from that side of the table also and after takeout doubles. The following is some guidelines from that book:

a) When we are in a game forcing auction, either we play the hand or the opponents play it doubled.

b) When an invitational bid has been accepted, a game forcing auction is in effect and either we play the hand or they play it doubled.

c) One exception to the invitational bid having been accepted is when we make a cue bid showing a limit raise or better and partner has no room at the 4 level, i.e.,

1	2	3	4
?

Here a double by partner shows a hand that has good defense and poor offense. A 4 Spade bid by partner shows a hand that would have accepted without the 4 Heart bid but has no slam interest. A pass by partner is forcing and gives us the choice of bidding 4 Spade or doubling. Presumably our double should show an offensive minimum or a maximum defensive hand. If partner later pulls our double or bids after our 4 Spade bid then he is showing slam interest.

d) An opening 2NT does not create a forcing pass situation.

e) When we voluntarily bid a game vulnerable and the opponents are not vulnerable.

f) When you or your partner have voluntarily bid game after an adverse opening preempt (other than 4 Heart or 4 Spade ), or preemptive jump overcall, all subsequent passes by your are forcing, e.g.

Pass

Pass

1	2	4*	4
Pass

* Here we cannot jump to 4 Heart with a weak hand since you do not pre-empt over a pre-empt. Unless we are vulnerable and they are not, the following sequence is an exception since we might be saving:

Pass

g) When two passed hands get to game after your side has voluntarily bid game, a forcing pass sequence is in effect.

h) When a bid is forcing to a particular level, either your side plays the hand at that level or, if your opponents play the hand below that level, they play it doubled, cue bidding auction.

1	Dbl	Pass	2
3	Pass

i) When from the sound of the bidding it appears that the opponents are sacrificing, e.g., if the opponents are willing to play in a part score and then finally bid game after you have voluntarily bid a game, forcing passes are in effect

j) When your side has bid a 2/1 as a passed hand and your side gets to game

k) When your side has bid a 2/1 in competition and reach game

l) When your side has made a penalty double or converted a double for penalty and they run.

m) When your side has redoubled and they bid.

n) When your side has made a 2 level overcall and reached game

o) When your side has overcalled or made a takeout double and got to game via a strong auction (cue bids).

Forcing Passes (Cues)

[October 17 2004]

Playing forcing pass theory you must look for the cues that turn on forcing passes. These cues trigger or turn on forcing pass theory. Forcing passes with their implications are a huge part of Bridge for expert partnerships. It is a way of making joint decisions in high level competitive auctions instead of one partner just taking a guess. Honing in on the nuances of auctions that switch on forcing passes for your side is a must.

Cue #1 is vulnerability with a vulnerable game bid by your side.

An opponent vulnerable opened a Flannery 2 with xxxx AKxxx AKxx, my non-vulnerable partner overcalled 3. They leaped to 4 so I bid 5. What should the Flannery bidder do? Partner bid a vulnerable game so it's your hand. If you own the auction, forcing pass theory applies. The opponent's bidding your singleton makes your hand better so you want to encourage partner to bid 5. A pass is forcing and conveys the message partner I prefer you to bid 5. A double says the 5 level belongs to the opponents, partner. A 5 bid within a systemic auction is just not allowed (violates captaincy) as partner knows your hand already. With this hand partner declines the invitation with her minimum so 5 doubled goes for 500.

Maurice had Qxxx Qx AKJ10xx x against Peter Jones and partner. The auction went:

1	Pass	1	2*
Pass	2**

* By Maurice vulnerable vs not, ** cuebid

(Cue #2) This cuebid (strength showing) means that it is our hand so forcing passes apply even after overcalls.

Peter Jones bid 4, his partner bids 4 and I contract for a vulnerable 5 game. Peter Jones bids 5 so what should Maurice do? He should double at the speed of light saying he has a dog so let's just take our plus. We got our plus so on to the next hand. A forcing pass by Maurice shows an invite to 6 with a heart control.

Another Maurice auction. He held AQxx A J109x KJ10x, RHO opened 1 so he doubled vulnerable vs not. The auction went 2 - 4 vulnerable by me around to the 2 bidder who now decided to bid 5. I passed and around to Maurice. Forcing passes apply after the takeout double with partner bidding a vulnerable game against not so what should Maurice do? I said I wanted to bid 5 with my pass. Maurice accordingly bids 5 and they need to find a ruff to beat 6 as I held Kxxxx xxx KQxxx void. 5 doubled only goes for -500.

Do not forget forcing pass theory in these kind of auctions also.

4	Pass	Pass	Dbl
Pass	4	Pass	Pass
5	Dbl

The opponents were willing to play in a partial and we bid a vulnerable game so it's our hand with forcing pass theory applying. I doubled saying I wanted no part of 5. If I passed, it shows a willingness to bid 5. With my partner's hand, we should be close to making 6. I would pass with Qxx KQxxxx xx xx saying I would like to bid 5. Partner actually held AKxx Axx x AKxxx, 1430 would be lay down. I doubled with my hand xxx QJxxx xxx xx warning that 5 is not the spot.

Cue #3 is where passes are forcing from one side only. This situation is where one partner has indicated a huge hand by opening 2 or making a takeout double and bidding game single handedly vulnerable or other strong action. A takeout double or even an overcall with a subsequent cuebid also can turn on one way forcing passes. The big hands pass is forcing on the little hand but not vice versa (captaincy). The pass by the hand who never attended the party is not forcing on the big hand due to captaincy. The pass has the old fashioned meaning that I am broke. The double by the little hand directly means I am not entirely broke.

The auction went:

1	Dbl	1	Pass
2	4	5	?

I doubled and jumped to game vulnerable against not vulnerable so they bid 5. Tom had xx xxx xxxx A9xx so he doubled to tell me that he can contribute something to this auction. The double helped me so I took the vulnerable push, got doubled and made an over-trick. What if Tom held xx xxx xxxx xxxx? He would pass 5 so I would act accordingly that he is probably broke over there. Why the difference in forcing pass theory? This is due to the fact that partner has never been involved in the bidding.

What if our auction went a little differently? Same auction but instead of LHO bidding 5, RHO bids 5. Now the huge hand makes a forcing pass to partner. The little hand must do something. With Tom's first hand xx xxx xxxx A9xx, the Ace would tip the scale in favor of a 5 bid. With the 2nd hand xx xxx xxxx xxxx he must double! Partner doubled and contracted for 10 tricks vulnerable and passed a 5 level decision around to you. You cannot shirk your responsibility.

These hands came up recently and there was a common thread among all of the hands. Not once was the forcing pass element picked up at the table so wrong decisions were made on all the above hands. These examples mean that the cues that turn on forcing passes are just being missed. The players are not tuned into the "ownership" hand evaluation concept. Bridge players should read auctions like golfers read greens.

People who usually play with weak partners have trouble with forcing pass theory. They miss out on the joint decisions that forcing pass theory brings to the partnership because they are used to making the decisions for the partnership. Ignoring forcing pass theory, means that you must make the decision for the partnership single handedly, so very bad results usually follow. With important decisions, both hands should contribute to the final result. Strong auctions by your side i.e. 2/1, game forcing strong jump shifts, cuebids, penalty doubles, 2/1 in competition or as a passed hand with game reached, all turn on forcing passes.

Forcing Passes - 2 Level Overcalls

[September 14th 2005]

The two level overcall has changed over the years. The values for an overcall have been steadily creeping upwards so that in modern Bridge it is equated to an opening bid. If you have overcalled at the two level and partner introduces a new suit, I feel that a basic assumption should exist that your side "owns the hand". If your side owns the hand, the opponents are deemed to be sacrificing and forcing pass theory kicks in.

I was playing with a tormentee who has very limited experience with forcing pass theory. When Bridge was invented, a double and a pass were very straight forward. In a competitive auction, a pass meant that in your opinion the contract was going to make and a double meant that a contract was not going to make. Very simple. Around the 1940's, Bridge experts decided that this notion was too simplistic in auctions when the opponents were interfering in your auction and perceived to be sacrificing. They decided to change the meaning of pass and double in these specific auctions only.

The tormentee held this hand with both sides non-vulnerable. x KQxx AKQxx Qxx and LHO open 1. Most bidders would choose a takeout double but the tormentee choose to introduce his good diamond suit by overcalling 2. My RHO bid 2 and I introduced a new suit by bidding 3. LHO leapt to 4 and the tormentee chose to bid 5 as he felt that that this contract had a good chance of succeeding. This got passed around to the opening bidder who decided to bid 5. The tormentee decided that the 5 level belongs to the opponents and since he had a nice hand and partner was bidding strongly they could not make 5. He subsequently doubled and we were -650 as they made their contract.

I wrongly voiced my displeasure at his bid forgetting about his inexperience with such auctions. In these auctions, it is standard thinking to define new meanings for the pass and double. These changes of definitions are the basis of forcing pass theory. Even if you are not 100% sure that you can set the opponents, you make the assumption that you can when you own the auction after strong bidding by your side. You contracted for a non-vulnerable game at the 5 level after a 2 level overcall. Partner has made a strong bid, so it is understood that this is your hand. Forcing pass theory comes into play and new meanings for pass and double emerge.

A pass does not mean that you think the opponents are going to make their contract. It is assumed that they cannot make their contract at this level. A pass means that in light of the auction, you would prefer that partner takes the push to the next level. It usually means that you have a control in the enemy suit and enough values to warrant such action. A double has an entirely new meaning other than they cannot make their contract (the assumption being that they cannot). The double is a warning that further bidding by your side is not a good idea. This double could mean that you have duplication of value in their suit (penalty double) or length in their suit (a doubleton) or you lack the overcall HCP strength to go to the next level.

In this auction, you have a forcing pass which brings partner into the decision making process. Your pass says that you would like to take the push as you are short in their suit and have the distribution and HCP's to warrant such a partnership decision. Based on this information being communicated to me, I have an easy 6 bid and we go for -50 in 6.

When this notion was first invented, The Bridge world thought that a pass being a forcing bid was a ridiculous idea. A pass is not supposed to be forcing! Over the years, forcing pass theory has become standard Bridge and an excellent way to bring partner into the decision making process in tough competitive auctions. The above is just an outline to forcing pass theory. Kantar has written an entire book on this subject alone. Tormentees must learn forcing pass theory to keep advancing their skills at this very difficult game.

Forcing Pass (2)

[September 28 2005]

The forcing 2 bid is a unique bid with respect to forcing pass theory. It's the only action in Bridge that turns on forcing passes with one bid. Forcing pass theory with 2 openers needs to be modified slightly in my opinion. It is obvious Bridge that the opponents cannot buy the contract undoubled or we cannot pass below game. The double by the 2 opener should show all the balanced NT hands or 3 suiters but not a trump stack. Double by responder initially can show a negative, penalty or controls depending on your partnership agreement.

3 more actions to define with the context of forcing pass theory by the 2 opener. The direct bid, the pass and the pass and pull. I think the direct bid by the 2 bidder should be the weakest bid possible so if made at the game level not forcing any further. Even if partner responded 2 or a positive response, the 2 opener bidding at the game level does not setup a force on partner.

The auction goes:

2	Pass	3	3
4*	Pass	?

* Is this bid forcing?

Since partner has made a positive response does she owe another bid? The answer is no because of the pass and pull aspect of forcing pass theory. If the 2 opener wants to make a slam try or force to higher levels, the pass is the stronger bid of choice. If the 2 opener now pulls partner's bid or double to a new suit, she is stronger than bidding it directly so maybe even a grand slam try.

Meckwell have modified their forcing bid structure to have a pass interpreted as a relay to a double. After the obligatory double, a bid means a two suiter. Without that understanding, it is just standard pass and pull theory. In forcing pass theory, the pass and pull is always the strongest action available. I prefer the pass at the two level only to be played a la Meckwell. Partner must re-open with a double so now a bid shows a two suiter. This is because I open strong two suiters with 2 rather than at the one level. At higher levels game or higher, the pass just means that I am setting up a pass and pull scenario to show a slam try.

There are two more bids to describe in these types of auctions. The cuebid and the NT bid. If at the 3 level, why not have 3NT to play by opener? The 3NT bid is probably based on a long minor with a stopper in their suit. An initial cuebid by the 2 opener, is not allowed as that is natural exposing a psyche in 2 theory. If later in the auction, a cuebid should imply a fit for partner.

Special attention must be given when the opponents jam your auctions with the boss suit spades. 4NT by the 2 opener must be interpreted as a cuebid and show any two suiter combination. A double at the game level of the opponent's suit is penalty so has no systemic meaning. It could mean lets just take our plus or describing the NT range of hands. Responder can still pull to 4NT as a relay to clubs so a direct pull by responder would be a slam try. This Lebensohl understanding when doubles are pulled by responder should apply in 2 auctions also.

Forcing Passes - Vulnerability

[September 29th 2005]

I like the understanding that all vulnerable games bid non pre-emptively against non vulnerable opponents turn on forcing passes. This includes partner making a high level double and forcing partner into a vulnerable game. Why should this be a forcing pass situation since partner could have absolutely nothing or a weak hand? Never, because with nothing vulnerable against non vulnerable, I think the high level double should be passed.

Pass

Dbl

xxxx xxx xxx xxx up to xxxx Qxx Kxx QJx should be passed. -590 for 4 doubled making may be the least of evils in these auctions. If partner contracts for a game vulnerable even under pressure of partner's double, forcing passes are turned on.

The Lebensohl convention that we all play over high level doubles greatly assist in forcing pass situations. If we have a distributional nothing and we want to run, we trot out 4NT Lebensohl.

1	Pass	4	Dbl
Pass	4NT*

* Lebensohl with x xxx KJxxxx xxx.

If we had a chance to use Lebensohl and did not, forcing passes are automatically turned on at any vulnerability.

Even pre-empts (a weak two or three) turn on forcing passes vulnerable against not if our game was bid. Other vulnerabilities partner had to make a forcing noise first before forcing passes are turned on. This is one time when the pre-empter is allowed to bid again. Partner is not bidding a vulnerable game against non-vulnerable opponents as a sacrifice. His pass and your pass are both forcing. BJ Trelford in Atlanta opened 2 vulnerable against non-vulnerable. I leapt to 4 vulnerable and they interfered with a 5 bid. This hit BJ's void and he had slam interests so he decided that the pass and pull part of forcing pass theory would describe his hand best. I bid 5 which made and Tom Gandolfo bought the hand in 5 doubled at the other table and made the contract on bad defense.

Try this hand out. xxxx void AJx AKxxxx and the auction goes:

1	Pass	4	Dbl
Pass	4	Pass	Pass
5	Pass	Pass	?

The opponents are non-vulnerable and you are vulnerable. You forced partner vulnerable into 4 with your double so do you bid again? Yes, as partner's pass is forcing. She has Spade AKxxx Heart xxx Diamond 10xx Club xx and on a lucky day a grand in spades makes. vulnerable games turn on forcing passes against non-vulnerable opponents. On equal vulnerability forcing passes would not be turned on when you forced partner to game. She would have to make a decision for the partnership. Of course, if you voluntarily bid game (not forced), forcing passes are turned on with any vulnerability.

Following the principle of this article, if partner pulls a penalty double of a non-vulnerable opponent to a vulnerable game, forcing passes are turned on. With xx Heart xx AKJ10x AKQx the auction goes:

1	1	1	4
Dbl	Pass	4	Pass
Pass	5	Pass	Pass
?

Partner is not pulling a double vulnerable vs non-vulnerable from a position of weakness. She expects to make 4 so forcing passes apply. The decision in my mind anyway is between bidding 5 and 6. Say if responder made a penalty double in this auction, and the opener pulls the double to 4 and they subsequently bid again. Forcing passes are turned on.

The opponents bidding non-vulnerable vs vulnerable in itself turns on forcing passes. If we are vulnerable and they pre-empt non vulnerable, partner bids and they bid game in the sandwich position, forcing passes are turned on. Why, the simple fact that we must be given protection against vulnerable vs non-vulnerable tactics. If we double and they make the contract, we hand them their 4 IMPS and on to the next hand. In the vast majority of other hands, forcing pass theory assists out side. In Reno, BJ Trelford opened 1 vulnerable with a bad hand, they pre-empted 3 and I bid 3. My LHO pre-pre-empted to 5 so BJ doubles as his pass would be forcing. We beat the contract for +500 and we would be one down in 5 for a 10 IMP swing.

Forcing Pass (penalty double)

[October 2005]

Standard forcing pass theory was invented in part for when you own the auction and you have an announced fit. The agreements for this scenario have been discussed at length in previous articles. What about forcing pass auctions where you have not established a fit? These non fit forcing pass auctions revolve around the penalty double. Ownership + no fit equals trouble for the opponents. The pass in these situations just means I have the expected values for my previous bid so I am getting out of the way for partner's penalty double. I will honor your penalty double. It says nothing that I prefer offensive action or tolerance for your suit. The pass just simply says that I lack a penalty double of their contract. A double means penalty of course so a direct bid means a distributional hand that I would have pulled your double anyway. You have bid in front of partner's impending double for a reason. A pass and pull is a slam try with shortness in their suit. A direct bid does not necessarily mean shortness in their suit but it is still a good bet.

Normally these type of forcing pass auctions occur at low levels but that's not always the case because the opponents can jam you. Take this auction.

You have xx AKQxxx Kx Q109.

1	Pass	2	3
4	4	5	Pass
?

Partner did not go the pass and pull route nor did she give you a chance to double. Her bid is not a slam try but does she have the singleton spade? Let's go the negative inference route. Holding a spade void with a good hand, the pass and pull would stand out. Therefore, that hand gets thrown out with this auction. With 2 spades and a 5-5, I think she would just get out of the way and respect your penalty double. All roads seem to lead to a 6-5 but how strong?

x x AQJ10xx AJxxx could be a hand.

x x AQJ10xx AKxxx is too strong as she would pass and pull with that hand.

How about x x Axxxxx AKxxx?

Anyway, I feel that the pass and pull inference is too strong to ignore, so I give partner leeway and passed 5. What about keeping the auction open with a 5 bid? Does this have any merit? I think only for the opponents. If you have decided that there is no slam, why be at the mercy of a 3-2 diamond break? x x Axxxxx AKJxx. 5 is cold even with a 4-1 diamond break.

The moral of the story is when you own the auction fit or no fit, think forcing pass understandings. The inference that partner did not pass and pull will keep you out of many bad slams in cramped auctions. Forcing pass theory was invented to help combat intruders who enter your forcing auction. Without sound understandings, they will cause bad decisions time after time. D.S.I.P. competitive double theory was invented to combat the opponents when you do not own the hand, forcing pass when you do. Bad decisions in competitive auctions are the norm, so modern bidders prey on that fact.

Forcing Passes - Depending on Context

[November 14, 2005]

Bridge bidding has a very limited vocabulary. To make the language of bidding richer many bids must be interpreted depending on the context of the auction. The forcing pass is a superb concept that has been around a long time. It is definitely depending on a context bid. It is a myth to think that forcing passes apply only if your side is forced to game. When forcing passes were first invented, that was probably the case but over the years that definition was way too restrictive. Now forcing passes are in effect when your side owns the auction. What does that term mean? This term has to be defined depending on the context of a particular auction.

Has partner made a strength showing bid that is in the limit raise or better range and they are in game?
Has partner made a 2/1 in competition or as a passed hand?
Are we vulnerable against non vulnerable opponents and we bid game?
What are the opponents doing non-vulnerable?
Have they pre-empted or as both passed hands are now in game?
Are the opponents obviously taking a sacrifice?
Has partner doubled and bid single handed vulnerable to game or a high level?
Has your side made a penalty double or redouble and they are running?

All the above defines whether your side owns the hand and if you do, forcing pass theory is in effect.

The Bridge World gives this hand. You open 1 in 3rd seat vulnerable vs not with A Jxx AQxx AKQ10x, a cool 20 HCP. The partner of the passed hand opponent bids a pre-emptive 2 and your partner as a passed hand makes a 2/1 of 2. The non-vulnerable passed hand partner of a pre-empter now blasts to 4. What should you bid?

The Bridge World panel said this was an obvious forcing pass situation. Partner has made a 2/1 vulnerable and two passed hand non-vulnerable opponents one of whom pre-empted are in game. The panel voted for a forcing pass again taking the table action into consideration. The opponents have announced that the hearts are 6-3-3-1 or 6-4-3-0 around the table. This gives partner a singleton or void in hearts. A forcing pass is the best bid because it gives partner a chance to describe her hand. If partner chooses a double, It gives you a chance to show your monster as you "pass and pull" to 4NT which should show the minors. A forcing pass is a win win situation.

Partners must be on the same wavelength for forcing passes. For example, in an expert partnership, it is totally impossible that this particular auction gets passed out. An established partnership trust each other. Trust and forcing pass theory is a good mix!

Taking your plus at the 5 level is a common theme with forcing pass theory. Of course, you take into consideration the vulnerability but the context of their bidding turns on forcing passes. Nancy Cook non-vulnerable vs non-vulnerable opens 3 in 3rd seat. I double and her partner leaps to 5. The context of the bidding has turned on forcing passes. A 3rd seat pre-empt and a passed hand are in an 11 trick contract. You have one Ace so there is no game at the 5 level your way so it is a simple decision to take your plus with a double. You collect +500 and on to the next hand.

Klimo gives me this hand from the recent Bermuda Bowl won by the Italians. AKx Ax AKxx AQxx you are vulnerable and they are not. In 3rd seat they open 3 and you double. LHO bids 6 and around to you. Forcing pass theory has obviously kicked in with this auction. So what should partner have for his pass? He would double with any heart card so we give the KQJ of hearts to the opponents. There are only 10 HCP left in the deck taking the heart cards out of the equation. Partner's pass encourages bidding so I would think he holds HCP's in the 7-10 range. With heart cards out of the way, all his points are pulling full weight in their suits. The Italian after some thought put the 7NT card on the table. Partner came down with 9 HCP's and he claimed 13 top tricks! Klimo says wow!

Forcing Pass - 2/1

November 19, 2005

Sometimes the opponents enter your game forcing auctions 2/1, Jacoby 2NT, Inverted minors, forcing 2 Club etc. Forcing pass theory should apply in all these auctions. If the fit is advertised like inverted minors or Jacoby 2NT the pass and double and pass and pull all have the standard forcing pass understandings. What if we do not have an advertised fit as in a 2/1? Forcing pass theory still applies obviously but the rules are different. A pass just means you do not have a fit with partner and you are going to respect her decision if she wields the axe. If you now pull the double, this is the “pass and pull” slam try. Supporting partner directly should show a minimum raise. Simple stuff.

Qxxx AKJ10x xx Ax
Qxxx AKJ10x x Q10x
Qxxx AKJ10x x AKx.

Let's try these hands after you open 1 Heart with partner bidding 2 Club and RHO bidding 2 Diamond .

With the first hand I pass and wait to hear what partner has to say. She may bid spades, support hearts or double. If it is the latter, that is where they play this hand. The 2nd hand I just bid 3 Club since I am not leaving the double of 2 Diamond in as I have too many clubs and will destroy partner's defense. The 3rd hand I pass 2 Diamond but for a different reason. I plan to pull the double to 3 Club as a slam try.

1	Pass	2NT	3
?

Forcing pass theory says you pass with shortness in diamonds and a willingness for offensive action. A double shows diamonds or warning partner that you may have quick diamond losers. A cue bid in a suit should imply a diamond control as you failed to double. Bidding your trump suit should show a minimum but shortness in diamonds as you did not double. When the opponents enter your forcing auctions, milk them for the maximum amount of information you can give partner. Always remember that they are allowed to play the contract doubled (Steve Williard and Osama).

Forcing Passes - Pre-empts

[December 2005]

There are two ways of combating the so called “modern pre-empts”. One is by trapping when you have their suit and rely on the opponents to get themselves. Modern pre-empters consider their partners as fair game also. Just like in any psychic bid, it is their partners rather than the opponents that result in their undoing. Their unfortunate partner is going to believe the pre-empter and disaster quite often occurs. The doubling will commence when they finally come to rest somewhere.

Your partnership should have special balancing rules against these bad pre-empters. BJ and I have the understanding that when they are vulnerable and we are not, a balancing double just shows cards and does not need unbid suits for take-out. We are just bidding the table that we have trapped non-vulnerable vs vulnerable. These pre-empters have no consideration for vulnerability so we pay special attention to vulnerability. In all other vulnerabilities our balancing doubles return to normal.

The best weapon by far against these pre-empters is to have special rights for your partnership vulnerable vs non-vulnerable. In this one vulnerability scenario only, forcing passes are automatically turned on when they pre-empt and jam you by bidding game. Bridge is a game of probabilities. You do not gear your system to rare eventualities. The majority of the time when the opponents are jamming you non-vulnerable against vulnerable, you actually do own the hand. What about the rare time that they are bidding to make? We still assume it is our hand and the worse thing that can happen is they make their doubled contract. Lose 4 as redoubling is so rare as be considered negligible on these auctions.

The auction goes 3 - Dbl - 5 - ? and you are vulnerable against nv. Forcing pass theory is automatically turned on. You hold xxx xxx xxx xxxx so you must double as this is a forcing pass situation. Partner has 16 HCP for her double but despite all those HCP’s they make it anyway for –550. So what? The advantages of forcing pass theory is 99% of all the other hands that your partnership may hold in these auctions so you really do own the hand.

Forcing pass theory allows both partners to make a joint decision in determining the final contract. You have AKxx Kxxx xx xxx so you can safely pass to partner saying you want to bid vulnerable at the 5 level. You do not have to make the decision for the partnership and guess the diamond distribution. Partner will make the decision based on your pass. Otherwise you would have to force to slam that may not make our choose a major yourself which could be a Moysean with a 5-1 break. The best spot might be 5 doubled so let partner decide through forcing pass theory.

The pass and pull part of forcing pass theory is an excellent slam try tool at the 5 level. You have AKxxxx Q10x x xxx so you simply pass 5. Partner with Qxx AKxx xx AKQx doubles 5 and you now pull to 5. These pass and pull auction must by definition show a control in the opponent's suit or otherwise you would have bid 5 directly to make your contract. AKxxxx Q10x xx xx is a 5 Spade bid. You also would not pull the double with two fast losers in their suit.

Since we do not have a trump suit already established in their pre-emptive auctions, a double does not say that we have losers in their suit as that is silly. The doubler is marked with shortness so unless she doubles to tell you otherwise you assume shortness. A free bid of 5 says that you feel you can make the contract but says nothing about length in the opponent's suit. The pass and pull does though as the doubler can hold two in their suit.

If after a forcing pass and the original doubler chooses to bid rather than double, you can assume shortness in their suit. Therefore with some hands you may bid slam on that basis. Spade AKxxx Kxxx xx xx so you make a forcing pass and partner bids 5. Partner holds Spade Qxx AQxxx x AKxx so you carry on to 6 and all is well.