SAYC is an "approach forcing" system. This means
that it relies on Responder (to 1-level opening bids)
finding largely natural, meaningful bids to sustain the
auction for the first two rounds of the bidding. 2/1 GF
is a "level forcing" system when Responder's 1st bid is
a 2-over-1 (e.g. 1D-P-2C), but is an approach forcing
system if Responder answers with ONE of a suit
(e.g. 1D-P-1S). At the other end of the spectrum lies
relay systems, where Responder uses artificial,
meaningless bids (called "relays") to sustain the auction.
All approach forcing systems, including SAYC, rely
on two fundamental rules of bidding:
1. A new suit bid by an unpassed Responder is usually forcing.
2. Bidding a suit previously bid by the pair is usually NOT.
Fourth Suit Forcing is an extension of Rule #1 above.
However, Responder's bid of the 4th suit is usually
artificial and does NOT promise length in the bid suit.
1D P 1H P
1S P 2C - This DOESN'T promise Clubs.
The 4th Suit Force (2C in the above example) forces
Opener to bid again, as any new suit would. Here, though,
opinion divides: is it forcing for only 1 round or forcing
to game? The STANDARD treatment is that the 4th suit bid
is forcing for only ONE round. MANY people, however, play
it as forcing TO GAME. Discuss this with any new partner.
"But what if Responder has a lot of cards in the
4th suit and a poorish hand?" you might ask.
S- xx H- QJxx D- x C- QJ10xxx
1NT does not look like an attractive rebid here
after 1D-P-1H-P-1S-P. So what does Responder rebid if
2C is artificial and forcing? The answer depends upon
whether you play a bid of the 4th suit as forcing TO
GAME. If you do, you much JUMP to 3C, NON-FORCING,
since 2C followed by 3C would, by definition, be a
game force. If, however, you play that a bid of the
4th Suit is only a ONE ROUND force, you may rebid
2C (forcing) and then 3C (NOT forcing).
FAILURE to use the 4th suit as a force always
LIMITS the Responding hand. If, over 1D:1H:1S
Responder were to, say, jump in either major, this
would be highly invitational but NOT forcing (as
according to Rule #2 above). To FORCE, Responder
would use the 4th Suit and THEN rebid the major.
1D 1H
1S 3S - NOT forcing.
1D 1H
1S 2C
2NT 3S - FORCING.
The same limitation holds true even if
Responder subsequently leaps to game. The
direct leap tends to DENY slam interest, while
the SLOW approach (via the 4th suit force) SHOWS
slam interest.
1D 1H
1S 3NT - 13-15 HCPs.
1D 1H
1S 2C
2D 3NT - 16-18 HCPs (else 3NT LAST time).
Remember: Direct Denies, Slow Shows. This, of
course, is consistent with the Principle of Fast Arrival,
which states that with a mediocre hand we tend to bid
game quickly, while a slower, more patient route tends
to show a better hand.
