Semi-Forcing Notrump

When playing 2/1 you need to do something as responder with 11 or 12 point hands that aren't good enough to game force. I recommend playing Semi-Forcing Notrump. This agreement means that 1NT by responder after an opening bid of 1♠ or 1♠ shows 6-12 points, and can be passed. This agreement is easy since the opener rebids naturally. Yes, you might occasionally miss a game, but it's much easier than playing the other popular treatment: Forcing Notrump. 

In conjunction with Semi-Forcing Notrump, I like to play that jump-responses to 3 of a lower-ranking suit are natural and invitational. If you have an unbalanced raise of partner, you can jump to 3-of-the-major. With a balanced limit-raise, respond 1NT and jump to 3-of-the-major. 

It's simple once you get the hang of it. Try it out in this quiz. Or read this article to learn why we play this way and review it. 

You might also consider getting Larry's book on 2/1 Game Force HERE or try Michael's 2/1 Webinar series which you can find HERE. 

  • You are South. What is your call? 

    ♠ K83  
    ♥ A942  
    ♦ Q752  
    ♣ 32
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
      1♠ Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    Pass

    2. -

    1NT

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    2♠

    5. -

    2♠

    6. -

    3♠

    Answer: 5

    2♠. Support with support when you only have one bid. Here with only 9 points, you want to convey your entire hand in one bid. 

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are South. What is your call? 

    ♠ K83  
    ♥ KJ9  
    ♦ Q1095  
    ♣ Q108
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
      1♠ Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    1NT

    2. -

    2♠

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    2NT

    5. -

    3♠

    Answer: 1

    1NT. You have a balanced limit-raise. The way to show this is to respond 1NT and then, if partner bids, jump to 3♠. What if partner passes? You'll play 1NT which isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are South. What is your call? 

    ♠ 3  
    ♥ A109  
    ♦ KQ10985  
    ♣ Q32
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
      1♠ Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    1NT

    2. -

    2♠

    3. -

    2NT

    4. -

    3♠

    5. -

    3NT

    Answer: 4

    3♠. This is natural and invitational (about 11-12 points). This hand is just a bit shy of being able to force to game. Jumping to 3♠ is more descriptive than going through a Semi-Forcing Notrump. 

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are South. This time, you opened the bidding. What is your call? 

    ♠ 32  
    ♥ AJ972  
    ♦ KQ65  
    ♣ Q3
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
        1♠
     Pass 1NT Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    Pass

    2. -

    2♠

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    2NT

    5. -

    Other

    Answer: 2

    2♠. You can still describe your hand naturally. This doesn't promise extra values. It shows 12-18 points and 4+ diamonds. 

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are South. What is your call? 

    ♠ AJ103  
    ♥ K10942  
    ♦ K5  
    ♣ Q2
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
        1♠
     Pass 1NT Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    Pass

    2. -

    2♠

    3. -

    2♠

    4. -

    2♠

    5. -

    Other

    Answer: 1

    Pass. You aren't forced to bid. Responder doesn't have four spades or he would have bid 1♠. If you bid 2♠ that would be a reverse, promising 18+ points (or so). 

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • You are South. What is your call? 

    ♠ KJ3  
    ♥ 9  
    ♦ KQJ65  
    ♣ 5432
     

    WestNorthEastSouth
      1♠ Pass ?
    Choose One:
    1. -

    1NT

    2. -

    2♠

    3. -

    2NT

    4. -

    3♠

    5. -

    4♠

    6. -

    Other

    Answer: 4

    This hand is too good for a raise to 2♠, and not quite good enough to force to game. Since you can't tolerate playing in 1NT here, jump to 3♠. Yes, it should normally be a 4-card raise, but here you are lying a little to keep your side out of trouble. 

    Your result so far:
    Next