Fourth-Suit
Forcing by Walt Sturm
It is amusing that many
players use an informal version of this convention without ever discussing
it. Since most ``standard`` systems
are based on the Approach Forcing Principle, any new suit by responder is
forcing. Therefore, responder is
forcing. Therefore, responders
occasionally find it convenient to bid a fourth suit that they don`t actually
hold to force opener to speak again to further clarify his hand. Foren mentions this possibility and
operers know to treat the fourth suit with suspicion.
Technically, this is a
violoation because it amounts to an illegal private understanding. The only reason I can imagine why the
ACBL doesn`t make an issue of this is that it is so commonplace. Adopting Fourth Suit Forcing avoids
this ethical issue and also puts your partnership on a firmer footing whenever
it arises.
The first issue is whether to
use this bid as a one-round or game force. In my experience, it creates so much momentum that it is
seldom possible to stop below game, so play it game-forcing for simplicity. Also, when the auction begins 1 minor –
1H – 1S, e.g., a jump rebid of 3H is merely invitational with 6 hearts
because you would have used Fourth Suit before rebidding hearts to force to
game.
It is also necessary to agree
on the precedence of opener`s responses to the Fourth Suit. I recommend the following:
1. Raise the Fourth Suit with 4-card support if you can
do so without getting above 3NT.
2. Show 3-card support for responder`s original suit.
3. Continue bidding out your own shape.
4. Bid NT only with a stopper in the Fourth Suit. Note: Fourth Suit is not used to ask
for a stopper; its discovery is incidental and is usually not what responder cares
about.
You may adopt your own
precedences but, as usual, be sure you and partner agree.
Ed Note: The following external links are
provided by the web developer.
Bridgebuff Fourth-Suit Forcing
Bridgeguys
Fourth-Suit Forcing