Fourth Suit Forcing (to game)
When responder is an unpassed hand and rebids the fourth suit in an uncontested auction, his bid is artificial, shows 12+ points, and is game-forcing. For example,
1
-
1
-
2
-
2
2 is artificial and a
game-force. Opener's rebids, in order of priority, are:
- 2 of responder's major 3-card support
- Any rebid of opener's suits Natural, waiting
- Raise of the fourth suit Tends to show 4-card support, waiting
- 2NT Natural, with a stopper in the fourth suit
FSF does NOT apply in the following situations:
- 1 - 1 - 1 -
1 While 1 is forcing, it
is not a game-force.
- When responder's first bid is at the two-level, a fourtHsuit rebid is not artificial, since a game-forcing situation has already been created.
- When responder jump rebids the fourth suit. The jump rebid shows invitational values and at least 5-5 .
- In competition.
From Connie DeLisle:
I like the Aces Scientific view of 4th suit forcing. The priorities are:
- nt with stopper unless 5-5 or better
- support with 3 cards
- raise the 4th suit with 4
- return to your original suit with none of the above
The reason 1 and 2 should be interchanged is that the 4sf bidder can bid his suit a second time to show 5. It may be too late otherwise to know if a stopper is in opener's hand for nt.