2/1 Bidding System

Karen Walker

One of the most popular bidding systems in the U.S. is the 2/1 Forcing-to-Game system. It's based on Standard American with 5-card majors. The main difference is in the meanings of 2 level responses to an opening bid.

The general approach is just as the name suggests: If responder's first bid is 2 of a new suit (1 by opener - 2, 2 or 2 by responder), it sets up a forcing auction. The partnership must bid on to game level. This is different from old-fashioned Standard American, where a 2-level response promises a good 10 or more points, but is not forcing to game.

The main advantage of the 2/1 system is that it saves bidding space. After making the initial 2 level response, responder doesn't have to jump to show forcing-to-game values. Because the auction can stay low, opener and responder have more room to exchange information below game level and more ways to evaluate slam possibilities.

One of the disadvantages is that there's no easy way to show many invitational hands of 10-11 points. To describe these hands, you must use the Forcing Notrump convention, which is a key part of the 2/1 system.

The 2/1 system is more complex than it may seem. Even though the basic principle sounds fairly straightforward, the auctions can become quite complicated, especially when you're investigating slam contracts. Forcing Notrump auctions can also be difficult unless you have a clear understanding of all the possible follow-ups.

The summary below is intended as a basic introduction to 2/1 agreements. There's much more to the system than can be covered here, so if you're serious about learning its finer points and popular variations, you'll want to consult other sources.

Basic 2/1 principles and definitions

2/1 forcing-to-game is "on" only when your side opens 1, 1 or 1 in 1st or 2nd seat and the next player passes and responder makes a non-jump bid of 2 of a new suit. The only relevant auctions are:

1 - 2, 1 - 2, 1 - 2, 1 - 2, 1 - 2, 1 - 2

Note that the auction 1 - 2 is a bit different than the others because the Forcing Notrump -- the response you use with invitational values after partner opens 1 or 1 -- is not available after a 1 opener. When partner opens 1, you need to define how you'll show an invitational hand with clubs. Some of your alternatives are:

• Play the auction 1 - 2 as standard (not forcing to game).
• Define a jump-shift response in clubs (1 - 3) as invitational (9-11 points, good 6-card club suit).
• Agree that a 2/1 response in a minor is forcing to game, but that responder can "cancel" that meaning in certain auctions if he rebids his minor (1 - 2 - 2 - 3). This rebid is invitational (and therefore passable) only in auctions where opener's second bid was "non-fitting" -- such as a rebid of 2 of a suit (1 - 2 - 2, 2 or 2) -- and did not show extra values. Responder's rebid of his minor is forcing to game if opener has has made a "fitting" rebid of 2NT or has shown extra values (a reverse: 1 - 2 - 2 or 3). This agreement was included in older versions of Mike Lawrence's system.
• If partner opens 1 and you hold a balanced hand with only five clubs and invitational strength, a jump to 2NT will usually be the best alternative for your first response.

2/1 meanings are "off" when:

• Opener is in 3rd or 4th seat. A responder who is a passed hand cannot force to game.
• Your opponent (responder's RHO) makes an overcall or double. In competition, all of responder's bids revert to their standard meanings.
  • After an intervening overcall, responder's new-suit bid shows a long suit and decent values, but it is not forcing to game. It could be as few as 8-9 points if you have a strong suit.
  • After an intervening double, responder's 2-level bid of a new suit is weak (5-9 points).
  • After an overcall or a double, a 1NT response is standard (7-10 points with a stopper) and is not forcing.

Game level is defined as 3NT or 4 of a suit. If your trump suit is a major, the "4-of-a-suit" agreement will get you to game. Note, though, that if your trump suit is a minor, you are not forced all the way to 5 or 5. Even if you've made a 2/1 response, your auction can end at 4 or 4 if that's your agreed suit.

A 2/1 response is just one of the ways you can show game values. You do not have to make a 2/1 with all game-forcing hands.

Playing the 2/1 system does not affect the meanings of other auctions. One-level responses (1 - 1) and direct raises of partner's suit (single, limit and forcing) have the same meanings as in standard bidding. Other conventions and treatments -- strong or weak jump shifts, Bergen raises, Jacoby 2NT, splinter bids, New Minor Forcing, etc. -- can be included in your 2/1 system with no modifications.

2/1 variations

There are several ways to structure your 2/1 system. The most widely used approaches are the systems proposed by bridge writers Mike Lawrence and Max Hardy. The two systems are similar, but they differ in the meanings of some of opener's rebids.

Questions to ask your 2/1 partner:

• Do you play "Hardy style" or "Lawrence style"? Most of the recommendations here are based on Lawrence style.
• Is 1 - 2 forcing to game? Recommendation: Yes, but you may want to make other modifications to your system to allow you to show invitational hands with clubs.
• Does the Forcing 1NT response deny opening-bid values? Recommendation: Yes
• Does opener's rebid of his suit guarantee a 6+-card suit? (1 - 2 - 2) Recommendation: No
• Does opener's direct raise of responder's minor show extra values? (1 - 2 - 3) Recommendation: Yes. Extra values should be around 16+ playing points (14+ high-card points) with 4+-card support.
• Does opener's 2 level reverse rebid show extra values? (1 - 2 - 2) Recommendation: Yes
• Does opener's high-level reverse rebid (3 of a new suit) show extra values? (1 - 2 - 3) Recommendation: Yes
• If responder rebids his minor (1 - 2 - 2 - 3), is it forcing? Recommendation: Yes.

Responder's first bid.

Your priorities for your first response:

• First: Make the appropriate raise of partner's major if you have 4-card support (single, limit or forcing raise) OR 3-card support with 5-10 points (single raise). The only supporting hand that will not make an immediate raise is one with 3-card support and a good 10+ points. See Raising partner's major below for more details on how to show all types of supporting hands.
• Second: If you don't have a supporting hand, show a 4-card spade suit (respond 1 to a 1 opening).
• Third: If you have game-forcing values, bid a new suit at the 2-level. "Game forcing" is usually 12+ points, but it should be interpreted as any hand that you would have opened or that's worth 12+ points because of a fit for partner's suit. After partner opens 1 of a major suit: A 2 or 2 response shows a 4+-card suit. In rare cases, though, 2 may be a 3-card suit.
• A 2 response (1 - 2) promises a 5+-card suit.
• Fourth: With all other hands (5-11 points without support OR 10-11 points with 3-card support), respond the Forcing Notrump.

Raising partner's major

Here's a summary of your bidding options when you have 3+-card support for partner's opening bid of 1 or 1.

With a balanced hand:

• 3+ trumps & 5-10 points = Make a direct raise (1 - 2).
• 4+ trumps & 10-12 support points = Make a direct limit raise (1 - 3).
• 3 trumps & 10-11 points = Use the Forcing Notrump convention, then jump to 3 of partner's suit.
• 3 trumps & 12-13 points = Make a 2/1, then jump to game in partner's suit -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 4. You can also use this approach when you have 4 trumps and you want to emphasize values in a strong side suit. Be aware, though, that if you use this "delayed" raise, it will be almost impossible to convince partner that you have more than 3 trumps.
• 3 trumps & 14+ points = Make a 2/1, then make a minimum rebid in partner's suit -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3.
• 3 trumps & 15-17 points in a 4-3-3-3 hand (where the 4-card suit is a minor) = Respond 3NT. This use of 3NT is a special treatment that is not standard; it's a point for discussion with your partner.
• 4+ trumps & 13+ support points = Make a forcing raise (Jacoby 2NT).

With an unbalanced hand (a hand with a singleton or void):

• 3+ trumps & 5-10 points = Make a direct raise (1 - 2).
• 4+ trumps & 10-12 support points = Make a direct limit raise (1 - 3).
• 3 trumps & 10-11 points = Use the Forcing Notrump convention, then jump to 3 of partner's suit.
• 3 trumps & 12-13 points = Make a 2/1 bid in a new suit. If partner shows a minimum (by rebidding 2 of his suit or 2NT), jump to game in partner's suit.
• 3 trumps & 14+ points = Make a 2/1, then make a minimum rebid in partner's suit (1 - 2 - 2NT - 3). Or if partner rebids his suit, you can show your raise and singleton with a splinter bid (1 - 2 - 2 - 4).
• 4+ trumps & 13+ support points = Make an immediate splinter bid.

Follow-up auctions

Opener's second bid:

One of the common misconceptions about 2/1 auctions is that after the forcing-to-game response, neither partner has to jump to show extra values. This is only half right. The general guideline is that responder does not jump with strong hands, but opener does.

In most 2/1 auctions, responder is the "captain" because he has more information about opener's hand than opener has about his. When responder has a strong hand, he chooses forcing, low-level rebids to give opener maximum room to provide information. Responder tends to be the "asker" and opener is the "teller".

If opener bids weak and strong hands the same way, responder will never be able to make an intelligent decision about how high to bid. For this reason, it's important for opener to communicate his strength as early as possible in the auction. To do this, opener makes value bids that show whether or not he has a minimum hand -- he bids less with less, and more with more.

• To show a minimum: Make a low-level rebid in your suit or notrump (1 - 2 - 2 or 2NT).
• To show extra values: Make a jump (1 - 2 - 3 or 3NT), a reverse bid (1 - 2 - 2) or any bid at the 3-level (1 - 2 - 3, 3).
• To show 18+ balanced: Rebid 2NT, then show your extra strength later (1 - 2 - 2NT - 3NT - 4NT).
• Other new-suit bids at the 2-level (1 - 2 - 2 or 2) are natural, but don't define your strength.

Suppose, for example, that you open 1 with AKJ1087 A62 KJ8 7 and partner responds 2. If you follow the "never-jump" rule and rebid just 2, you've kept the auction low, but you've concealed your strength. It's worth using up an extra level of bidding if it accurately describes your hand, so you should make the value bid (3) with this hand.

Note, though, that you can take advantage of the low-level rebid when you have a hard-to-describe hand such as AJ6543 AK2 KJ8 7. Since you don't want to over-emphasize such a weak spade suit, you can rebid 2 with this hand and then show your extra values later.

After 1 by you - 2 by partner, here are the meanings for your second bid:

• Rebid of your major (2) = Minimum (12-14 points). This may be only 5-card suit if your hand is unsuitable for 2NT (weakness in an unbid suit) or a new-suit rebid.
• 2 = Extra values (15+ points) and a 4-card suit.
• 2NT = Balanced minimum (12-14 points) with stoppers in unbid suits OR 18+ balanced.
• Non-jump bid of 3 of a new suit (3) = Extra values (15+ points) and a 4+-card suit.
• Raise of partner's suit (3) = Extra values (16+ playing points) with support (4+ cards).
• 3 of your major (3) = Extra values (14-15+ points) and a strong 6+-card suit.
• 3NT = Extra values (15-17 points) with balanced distribution.
• Jump in a new suit (3 or 4) = Extra values, good support and a singleton in the suit bid (splinter).
• Jump to game in your major (4) = Minimum (11-13 points) with a long, solid suit.
• 4NT = Keycard Blackwood for partner's suit.

Responder's second bid:

Responder goes "slow" when he has extra values; he uses fast-arrival bids when he has a minimum. A low-level rebid in opener's suit (slow -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3) suggests extra values (14+ points) and gives opener more room to describe his hand. A jump to game in opener's suit (fast -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 4) shows a minimum (12-13 points) with no interest in slam.

After 1 by partner - 2 by you - 2 by partner, the meanings of your second bid are:

• Minimum bid of partner's major (3) = Extra values (14+ points) with 3-card support,
• Jump to game (3NT or 4) = Minimum (12-13 points)
• 2NT = Unlimited; tends to be balanced with stoppers; asks for more information.
• Rebid of your suit (3) = 6+-card suit and invitational (Lawrence style). If you play Hardy style, this rebid is unlimited and forcing.
• New suit (2 or 3) = Unlimited; could be artificial; asks opener for more information.
• Jump in a new suit (3 or 4) = Splinter raise (trump support -- usually 3 cards -- and a singleton in the suit bid).
• 4NT = Key-card Blackwood for partner's suit. If opener's rebid was 2NT, 4NT is quantitative.

Opener's third bid:

If responder has made a bid that asks for more information (1 - 2 - 2 - 2, 2NT or 3), he denies 3+-card support for your suit. He often needs to know more about your hand to choose the contract. To provide this information, you can:

• Rebid your major (3) if you have a good 6-card suit (since your 2 rebid did not guarantee 6 cards).
• Jump to game in your suit (4) to show a strong (but usually not solid) 7+-card suit.
• Show 3-card support for partner's minor (3).
• Over responder's 2NT: Raise to 3NT with a balanced minimum.
• Over responder's new-suit bid: Bid notrump if you have a stopper in the unbid suit.
• Over responder's new-suit bid: Bid the fourth (unbid) suit if you want to find notrump but do not have a stopper in that suit. The auction 1 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 asks partner for a heart stopper (if you had a heart stopper, you could have bid notrump yourself).

If partner's second bid was a low-level raise of your suit (1 - 2 - 2 - 3), he's showing a "good" 2/1 with 3-card support and at least mild interest in a slam. You can:

• Bid game (4) with a dead minimum. Partner's 3 does not "demand" a cuebid from you.
• Cuebid a new suit (3 or 4) to show an ace and at least mild interest in slam. See Guidelines for Cuebidding below.
• Bid partner's suit (4) to show a moderate fit and/or a high honor and interest in slam.
• Bid 3NT to show interest in slam and nothing to cuebid. This asks partner for a cuebid.

Guidelines for cue-bidding and ace-asking

• Responder's "low raise" (1 - 2 - 2NT - 3) shows at least moderate extra values, but it does not demand a cuebid. Opener should make a cuebid only if he has more than a dead minimum.
• If opener makes an early cuebid in responder's 2/1 suit (1 - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 4), it should show a fitting card (ace, king or queen), usually with moderate support (doubleton or better). It does not necessarily promise a first-round control.
• Other cuebids show a first-round control (ace or void). Bid your cheapest control. If your cuebid "skips" an unbid suit, it denies a control in that suit. In the auction 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3 - 4, your 4 cuebid says you hold the diamond ace but not the club or spade aces.
• After you've found a major-suit fit (1 - 2 - 3 - 3), a bid of 3NT demands a cuebid. It is not a suggestion of a final contract.
• When cue-bidding kings (second-round controls), treat a singleton as a second-round control.
• In auctions where you have not yet confirmed a fit, a 3-level bid of a new suit is not an ace-showing cuebid. Instead, it should be interpreted as a search for the right game. In the auction 1 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3, you haven't agreed on a trump suit, so 3 cannot be a cuebid. If you held spade values, you would have bid 3NT here, so the 3 bid is asking partner for a spade stopper for notrump.
• If your agreed suit is a major, an unusual jump to 4 (if your suit is hearts) or the 5-level can be used as Exclusion Keycard Blackwood for the agreed (or implied) suit. In the auction 1 - 2 - 2 - 4 or 5 is Exclusion, showing heart support and a void in the bid suit (a jump to 3 or 4 would be a splinter). Opener does not count the ace of partner's void when he answers with his number of keycards.
• If your agreed suit is a minor, any jump to the 4-level can be used as Exclusion Keycard Blackwood -- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 4 or 4.
• 4NT is not Blackwood if:
  • It's bid directly over opener's first rebid of 2NT or 3NT -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 4NT is quantitative, asking opener to bid 6NT if he has maximum point-count (or to pass if he has a minimum).
  • Opener rebids 2NT, then 4NT over 3NT -- 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3NT - 4NT. This is the 2/1 system's method for showing a balanced 18-19 points.
• In all other auctions - and when in doubt -- 4NT is Keycard Blackwood for the last-bid suit.