Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - October 25, 2021 - Don't strand the responder

 

Question: Because East bid a heart after West’s Club does that not require West to bid again?

Glenna: 

  A Golden Rule of Bridge: All NEW suits by responder are forcing. Before you open the bidding, make sure you have a good idea of what your rebid will be. The fastest way to loose a partner is to open the bidding and then pass responder’s bid. If you don’t have a rebid, don’t open. Only a NT bid is not forcing.

  We need to carry this a step forward. The 2nd fastest way to loose a partner (as responder) is to make a forcing bid to opener and then pass their rebid. The single biggest fault of -Standard American Bidding is this problem.  Your partner opens the bidding 1 ♥️ or 1 ♠️ and you make a forcing bid of a new suit at the 2-level, partner bids again and you pass!!!!!!

You simply must bid again or do NOT make a 2-level bid to start with; rather just bid a NT as that is not forcing,

  These two items are not difficult to remember because if a friend says hi, you respond. So, when you are bidding, remember that your partner is your friend and respond!!!!

Good luck,

Glenna