Forcing pass
Encyclopedia
In the card game bridge
, a forcing pass is any pass that obliges the partner to bid, double, or redouble over an intermediate opposing pass: to act rather than to pass. By agreement or tacit understanding, that is, partner must "keep the bidding open".
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
The opponents may be obliged to keep the bidding open themselves because their action is forcing. Then the forcing pass is a moot point and the concept may be considered inapplicable. When their action is not forcing, on the other hand, partnership understanding whether pass is forcing may be vital. Partners should recognize forcing pass situations.
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 a 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. 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.
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).
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?
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)
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
, a forcing pass is any pass that obliges the partner to bid, double, or redouble over an intermediate opposing pass: to act rather than to pass. By agreement or tacit understanding, that is, 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
Strong pass
In the card game of bridge, a strong pass is an opening pass that indicates a strong hand, typically with a minimum of 11-16 points. Strong pass bidding systems are of a quite different nature from the more typical "natural" systems, but share some similarities with strong club systems...
, 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
When is pass forcing?
Here "... (act)" means any beginning to the auction, followed by an opposing bid, double, or redouble.- ... (act) Pass (Pass) ?
The opponents may be obliged to keep the bidding open themselves because their action is forcing. Then the forcing pass is a moot point and the concept may be considered inapplicable. When their action is not forcing, on the other hand, partnership understanding whether pass is forcing may be vital. Partners should recognize forcing pass situations.
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 a Jacoby transfer
Jacoby transfer
The Jacoby transfer, or simply "transfers", in the card game contract bridge, is a convention initiated by responder following partner's notrump opening bid that requests opener rebid in the suit ranked just above that bid by responder, i.e...
, 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. 2 (Dbl) Pass
Commonly 2 is artificial for takeout, a Michaels cuebid
Michaels cuebid
The Michaels cuebid is a conventional bid used in the card game contract bridge. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit and eight or more points.After...
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)
Further reading
- Richard Pavlicek. "Forcing Pass Finds Best Trump Fit". 1988 May 1.