4.2 After the Forcing 1NT Response

Generally, opener will jump shift only when he can see the tricks for game opposite a misfit. These bids can be very strong, especially with two-suited hands, which are easier to deal with by opening 1 of a major than with 2♣.

As a result, when opener makes a simple rebid into a suit that could have been used for a jump shift, responder should make an effort to bid again unless she has xxx in the second suit and x in the first and a minimum hand. A second bid is expected from any responding hand that holds a doubleton in partner’s major or adequate support for his second suit.

West	North	East	South
	1♥	Pass	1NT
	?

2♣	3+ clubs, fairly unlimited, but not forcing
2♦	3+ diamonds only if 3=5=3=2, fairly unlimited, but not forcing
2♥	6+ hearts, no side 4 card minor, 12 - 15 HCP
2♠	4+ spades, 19+ HCP, game force — we treat this as a special reverse, needing extras, because you know partner does not have a fit for either major
2NT	Balanced, 18 - 19 HCP
3♣	3+ clubs, game force
3♦	3+ diamonds, game force
3♥	6+ hearts, 16 - 18 HCP
3♠	Unused
3NT	6+ solid or semi-solid hearts, 8 playing tricks and stoppers. With a 5-3-3-2 hand you would have opened 1NT with 15 - 17, 2NT with 20 - 21, and would raise to 2NT with 18 - 19, so this sequence is not needed to show a balanced hand.

The Impossible 2♠ Bid

West	North	East	South
	1♥	Pass	1NT
Pass	2♣	Pass	2♠

2♠	Weird… can’t have spades, so we use this bid to show a really good club raise, with 3♣ used instead as a courtesy raise. No similar option is available after a 1♠ opener.

West	North	East	South
	1♠	Pass	1NT
	?

2♣	3+ clubs, fairly unlimited, but not forcing
2♦	3+ diamonds only if 3=5=3=2, fairly unlimited, but not forcing
2♥	4+ hearts, fairly unlimited, but not forcing
2♠	6+ spades, 12 - 15 HCP
2NT	Balanced, 18 - 19 HCP
3♣	3+ clubs, game force
3♦	3+ diamonds, game force
3♥	4+ hearts, game force
3♠	6+ hearts, 16 - 18 HCP
3NT	6+ solid or semi-solid spades, 8 playing tricks and stoppers. With a 5-3-3-2 hand you would have opened 1NT with 15 - 17, 2NT with 20 - 21, and would raise to 2NT with 18 - 19, so this sequence is not needed to show a balanced hand.