[Yzerman]

Somebody got me going on this one recently, IF YOU REBID 2M ANYTIME YOU HOLD 6 SPADES THIS IS CLEARLY A TOTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF 2/1 (ASSUMING YOUR ARE PLAYING 2/1).

Obviously this is one of my pet peeves (he,he).  Inquiry thoroughly documented responses to 1NT forcing in one of his posts (Rebids after 1NT forcing) and I had posted some of my preferences a while back.

Why do you play 2/1 in combination with forcing NT (we will concentrate on 1nt forcing)?

a) 1NT is used to allow responder to use 1NT as a layer to describe hands that fall into the invitational layer (becuase 2x is game force).

B.) Since 1NT can be a greater range of hands (weak -> strong invites or even SOME game forcing hands) than the 1NT response will take a rebid MUCH MORE OFTEN.

c) Forcing NT can be used as a tool to get out in 2C or 2D that you CANT otherwise do in standard treatments.

d) Forcing NT can be used as a tool to find side suit fits when you have a 6 card major.

e) * My style - the 1NT responder promises a rebid 99% of the time UNLESS he just cant stand it (single spade, <=6 or "bad/non-fitting" 7) - This style requires some discipline to be applied to opening bids for you must envision a bidding "plan" and account for this.

Here is a few hand "types" that you may encounter with 6 spades and my recommended bidding "plan" after 1NT forcing;

a) 6421 (min) - Rebid 2H 99% of time upon 1NT forcing unless there is total H/S holdings are extremely lopsided (AKQJxx 5432), you are still running a risk of missing H fit but 2S will be right more often than wrong.

B.) 6xy4 or 6x4y (min hand/decents spades not so good minor) - Rebid 2S

c) 6xy4 or 6x4y (min hand/bad spades and good minor) - Rebid 2C or 2D

d) 6xy4 or 6x4y (good hand NOT intact suits) - Rebid 2C or 2D

e) 6xy4 or 6x4y (good hand intact suits) - Rebid 3C or 3D (game force)

f) 6232 or 6223 (weak hand) - Rebid 2S

g) 6223 or 6232 (good hand bad not so good spades) - Rebid 2C or 2D

h) 6224 or 6232 (good hand intact spades and good 3 carder in minor) - Phony jump shift into 3C or 3D

i) 6232 or 6223 (good hand, good spades, and hcp balanced throughout other suits) - 3S

j) 6232 or 6223 (good hand, intact spades, and hcp balance throughout other suits) - 3NT

I learned the game primarily through one person (my partner/mentor) and would have frequent bridge theory discussions after local games.  This is how I adopted my approach (I am not able to cite a book or reference).  However having played a whole host of 2/1 approaches I will say this approach is (in my opinion) SUPERIOR if you exercise good judgement and have a partner that does the same.  Why?

This bidding allows flexibility in finding marginal game contract, best strain game contracts, marginal slam contracts, and avoiding bad games in general.  Marginal game and slam contracts in hands with 6 spades opposite a weak NT ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE A SECONDARY MINOR FIT.  If you NEVER introduce your 4 card minor you are NEVER gonna disclose that fit and guess what, if your goal is to play high-level (or even mid-level) competitive bridge, you are by at a HUGE disadvantage.