Mixed Message

20th June – Board 15: North/South Vul. Dealer South.

Knowing when a bid is forcing or not is obviously vital for any comprehensive bidding system and the hand below illustrates a point that may not be familiar to some.

	North: S 2 H A 7 5 2 D K J 8 7 3 C A 3 2
West: S K 10 8 5 H K 10 D 10 4 C Q J 8 6 4		East: S A 7 4 3 H J 6 3 D 6 2 C K 9 7 5
	South: S Q J 9 6 H Q 9 8 4 D A Q 9 5 C 10

West	North	East	South
			No
No	1D	No	1H
No	2H	No	3D
No	4H	End

Although North is likely to have four-card support for hearts it is not mandatory but in any event South can enquire by giving delayed support for diamonds and this is the bid that is forcing. Here North will obviously bid game with a good diamond fit and four-card support so the easy game is reached despite holding minimal values.

But while going back to a minor is forcing going back to a major is not. In other words the sequence 1H – 2D – 3D – 3H is obviously encouraging but not forcing as now the responder will obviously only have three card support and is merely looking for the best game.