There are two kinds of forcing bids -

Forcing to game

Forcing for one round

Game forcing bids

We all know, of course that an opening demand bid (two of a suit) must be kept open until a game contract has been reached (or until the opponents have been doubled in a bid of their own).

Any bid of an opponents suit is a game force. Any jump shift is forcing to game if partner has bid volontarily. A jump by the responder at any time in the auction is forcing to game, provided that he has not previously passed. After the opening bidder has made a strength showing rebid, such as a jump in no trump or a jump in his own suit, if the responder elects to bid again, the partnership is committed to game. When both players have bid strongly, the bids are presumed to be forcing to game.

One round forces -

Every time the responding hand bids a new suit (provided he has not previously passed) the opener must bid once more. An exception being that it would not be forcing if made directly over a takeout double.

Over a takeout double, the partner of the opening bidder would redouble with ten or more points. Also, if the intervening bid was a one no trump overcall, he would double for penalties with a fair hand. If he bids two of a suit, it shows distributional rather than high card values and the opening bidder is not obligated to go on.

When an opening bid of a major is raised, the bid of a new suit by opener is forcing for one round.

"Double" -

"Partner, I am sure that you understand my double is made as a request for you to bid. Announce your best suit and do not panic merley because you have a bad hand. I have made allowances for that development in planning my own bidding, and if I have placed you in an uncomfortable position it will hurt for only just a moment. If I don't have ample support for the suit you pick, I shall produce a reasonably good one of my own with which to rescue you."

A takeout double means: "Partner, please tell me something about your hand regardless of its weakness. I have a good hand and am prepared to cope with any response."

How do you know its for takeout and not penalties?

A double is for takeout when:

The double is of one, two, (and sometimes three) of a suit.

The double was made at the doubler's first opportunity.

Partner has not bid, doubled the opponents, or made a penalty pass.

What are the requirements?

At least 13 points including distribution, adequate support for any suit your partner might bid, or a

good suit of your own. Always expect partner to respond in your shortest suit. If his bid will prove

embarassing, you should avoid making a takeout double even with a good hand.

Opening bid means the first person to bid. It does not mean "opening for your team". If no one else has bid, the standard opening requirements apply. If you bid after an opponent has bid, it is called an overcall and has completely different requirements than an opening. An overcall is normally based on length rather than points, and almost always shows a five or six-card suit. Many partnerships will overcall with as few as 8 - 10 points. A hand of 13-15 points and a good suit is shown by a jump overcall. 13-15 points and no real good suit would be shown by a takeout double (which says you have the same values as the

opening bidder).

Negative double -

When partner opens and is overcalled by the opponent on his left, a double shows an unbalanced hand promising both of the unbid suits. The bid is to show distribution and could be made with as few as 7-11 points. With 12-15 points, a cue-bid in the overcaller's suit shows the same distribution