Forcing pass

In the card game bridge, a forcing pass is an agreement or understanding that a pass call obliges the partner to bid, double, or redouble over an intermediate opposing pass, i.e. partner must "keep the bidding open". : ... – (act) – Pass – (Pass) – ? Here "..." represents any beginning to the auction. The forcing pass (bold) necessarily occurs directly over an opposing bid, double, or redouble (act). After a pass over a pass, the auction might end before partner's turn. In other words, the partnership is committed to act somehow rather than to end the auction now; that is a precondition. The first, direct, "forcing pass" refers to partner the choice how to act. There is no commitment to accept partner's choice. Indeed, a forcing pass ensures that the auction will return to the one who issues it, so it may be interpreted as the first half of a two-step action by that player. Normally double is natural where pass is forcing. That is, double suggests the current denomination and strain, doubled, as a final contract. "Forcing pass" is also a synonym for strong pass, a conventional pass in first or second position that shows a strong hand and is "a form of opening bid" in effect. Strong pass systems are barred from many competitive events.

In the card game bridge, a forcing pass is an agreement or understanding that a pass call obliges the partner to bid, double, or redouble over an intermediate opposing pass, i.e. partner must "keep the bidding open". ... – (act) – Pass – (Pass) – ? Here "..." represents any beginning to the auction. The forcing pass (bold) necessarily occurs directly over an opposing bid, double, or redouble (act). After a pass over a pass, the auction might end before partner's turn. In other words, the partnership is committed to act somehow rather than to end the auction now; that is a precondition. The first, direct, "forcing pass" refers to partner the choice how to act. There is no commitment to accept partner's choice. Indeed, a forcing pass ensures that the auction will return to the one who issues it, so it may be interpreted as the first half of a two-step action by that player. Normally double is natural where pass is forcing. That is, double suggests the current denomination and strain, doubled, as a final contract. "Forcing pass" is also a synonym for strong pass, a conventional pass in first or second position that shows a strong hand and is "a form of opening bid" in effect. Strong pass systems are barred from many competitive events. ===Low-level forcing pass=== One family of forcing pass occurs when the partnership auction is already forcing to a particular level and the opponents bid below that level. 1 (1 ) 2 (2 ) Pass Commonly 2 is forcing to 2NT. Then pass over opposing 2 is forcing. Here 2 is natural but the same holds over a conventional call that is forcing. If the convention is a bid forcing only to the next step, such as Jacoby transfer, then pass is forcing only over a double. ... when one opponent doubles or redoubles a conventional takeout and thereby suggests they may defend our chosen strain doubled for penalty. (1 ) 2 (Dbl) Pass Commonly 2 is artificial for takeout, a Michaels cuebid showing both major suits, and the opposing double suggests that they double the chosen major. Then pass is forcing; it refers the choice of major suit back to the one who bid 2 . ... for the partnership that doubles or redoubles to suggest playing for penalty. 1 (Dbl) Rdbl (2 ) Pass 1 (Dbl) Rdbl (Pass) Pass (2 ) Pass Double is for takeout and redouble shows a strong hand, suggesting that we double their chosen strain. When either opponent does name a strain (here diamonds), a direct pass is forcing. Commonly the forcing pass declines to recommend play for penalty (double would be natural) and waits to see whether partner will double (natural). ===High-level forcing pass=== ... when it appears that an opposing bid is a sacrifice. 1 (2 ) 3 (5 ) Pass Commonly 3 is a strong raise of hearts and 5 seems to be an advance sacrifice. Then a direct pass is forcing. It declines to recommend playing 5 doubled and thereby suggests bidding at least 5 . What is the meaning of a forcing pass followed by 5 if partner does double? 1 (2 ) 3 (5 ) Pass (Pass) Dbl (Pass) 5 At least following trump suit agreement, as in this case (hearts), there is a common conventional distinction. The latter "pass and pull" 5 invites slam while a direct 5 overcall shows no interest in slam. ... after we preempt or sacrifice and they bid higher.(Encyclopedia) ==See also== Forcing bid Strong pass ==References== ==Further reading== Forcing Pass in Contract Bridge (1983) by Eddie Kantar. 25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding (2000) by Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith. ==External links== Forcing Pass Finds Best Trump Fit by Richard Pavlicek, 1 May 1988. BrideGuys website - Forcing Pass BridgeHands website - Forcing Pass

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