Fourth-suit Forcing by David Bird

This bidding quiz is all about Fourth-suit Forcing.

Suppose the bidding starts 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♣. As responder, you have already shown your spades; you have enough points for game, but cannot yet tell which game will be best. What can you do?

Subsequent three-level bids in one of the suits already shown (3♣, 3♥, 3♠) will invite a game, but they will not be forcing. The answer is to bid the fourth suit, 2♦ here. This is artificial and has nothing to do with your holding in diamonds. It is forcing-to-game (easily the best way to play it). Both players can now continue to exchange information, before deciding on the best game or possibly a slam.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 10 8 5
♥ A Q 8 7 3
♦ A 4
♣ K 8 4

Q: 1 - What will you bid next on your hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♥	Pass	2♣	Pass
?

A: 2♠. This is exactly the sort of hand where you need ‘Fourth-suit Forcing’. What could you possibly bid without it?

Partner may now show secondary heart support, rebid one of the minors, or bid 2NT. You will then be well on the way to deciding what the best contract will be.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K 2
♥ K Q 8 7 3
♦ 9 7
♣ K Q 7 2

Q: 2 - What rebid will you make on this responding hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♥	Pass	2♣	Pass
?

A: 2♠. You have good support for partner’s second suit, but a raise to 3♣ would be only a non-forcing limit bid. Partner would often pass when a good game was available.

Bid 2♠ to ensure that a game contract is reached. Your partner’s next bid will help you to decide which game (or possibly even a slam) is best.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 8 7 4
♥ K Q 5 4 2
♦ J 6
♣ A J 6

Q: 3 - What will your next bid be on this hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♥	Pass	2♣	Pass
?

A: 3♣. You have only 11 HCP, with no primary fit for either of partner’s suits and no stopper in the fourth suit. This is not the moment to overbid! 2♠ would carry you too high opposite many sound opening bids.

You should mentally subtract a point or two and make whatever bid would then be appropriate with your shape. Here, you must choose between 2♦, 2♥ and 3♣ (despite holding only 3-card support!). 3♣ is best because it does at least suggest 10 or 11 points.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K 10 8 7 5
♥ K 4
♦ 9 8
♣ A Q 2

Q: 4 - What rebid will you make here, on the South cards?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
1♠	Pass	2♦	Pass
?

A: 3♣. A rebid of 3♠ would be a non-forcing limit bid. You are too strong for 4♠ because this could easily cause a slam to be missed. You should show your power with a fourth-suit 3♣, intending to rebid the spades later.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K Q J 9 7
♥ A K J 8 3
♦ 9
♣ 7 3

Q: 5 - Partner has the minors; you have the majors. What will you bid now?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♠	Pass	2♣	Pass
?

A: 3♥. A rebid of 2♥ would be Fourth-suit Forcing, not saying anything about your heart suit. A marked two-suiter like this is shown by jumping in the fourth suit. Such a bid is game-forcing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

Play on ANY Device or Computer

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!