Fourth suit forcing.
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think?
This month we will be looking at:
Fourth suit forcing. The third round of the bidding and its consequences.
Problem 1
| W | N | E | S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♥ | Pass | 1♠ | |
| Pass | 2♣ | Pass | 2♦ |
| Pass | 2♥ | Pass | 3♣ |
| Pass | 3NT |
The facts
The slam in Clubs is practically laydown, the one in Hearts is excellent, but neither of them has been considered at any time by one of the two players. Who is guilty?
Arguments
North: “I don’t feel responsible for this bad result. I have 12HCP, you know all about my hand, a two-suiter with a stopper in Diamonds. I don’t understand that you pass 3NT with such a good hand.”
South: “And I don’t understand why you’re even thinking of playing in No-Trumps with a 6-4-2-1 distribution knowing I have a forcing raise in Clubs, which stirs the bidding towards a slam. Your 2♥ bid does not make your suit any longer. You need to bid 3♥ over 3♣, and that will be enough for me to take the captaincy of the bidding and easily reach the slam in Clubs or even Hearts.”
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