Modified Suction: A Superior Defense to a Forcing Club System

This is an effective conventional approach to interfering to any system which utilizes an opening bid of 1 ♣ forcing, usually 16+ HCP or more. It is not only lethal to constructive auctions of "big clubbers", it can actually be used very constructively by opponents of forcing ♣ systems, arriving very swiftly at useful makeable contracts and good advance sacrifices. But, even a tool primarily used to disrupt big ♣ auctions must be utilized within very precise boundaries in order to make it a positive force for you, particularly in team events where you do not need to generate randomly good or bad results for your team.

This is also used against opening 1NT and 2NT and strong 2 ♣ opening bids.

The bids used in this system are generally exclusion bids, defining either a one or two-suited hand. For example a bid of double over a forcing ♣ shows EITHER the suit immediately above the suit or the two suits above that suit.

The better your hand, the more you can bid, because this system repeats itself no matter what the level of bidding.

It is obvious that 1 ♣ - 4 ♥ would be either ♠ , OR ♣ and ♦ , etc.!

To avoid losing partnership confidence, it is assumed that both partners will adhere to a policy of staying "in the box". This is a "pass or correct" agreement. For example, let’s say partner bids 2 ♣ over 1 ♣ , showing either ♦ , OR the majors, and you hold ♠ JTxx, ♥ xx, ♦ Qxxxx, !Kxx. If you choose to bid 3 ♦ and partner "corrects" to 3 ♥ , you will be well placed to "correct" to 3 ♠

If you hold ♠ xxx, ♥ Kxx, ♦ x, ♣ xxxxx, you will be "out of the box" if you pass. Why? Because partner announced a pretty good hand with ♦ or the majors and you should just bid 2 ♦ . He will have at least 6 decent ♦ or 5- 5 in the majors for this action.

If responder cue bids the suit that conventioneer CANNOT have, i.e., if he bids ♦ showing either ♥ , OR ♠ AND ♣ , then any bid of ♦ by responder is forcing one round at the two level and to game at the 3 level or higher.

Responder is released from obligation to bid. Any bid he makes show values and is governed by the pass or correct rule. Double shows cards and asks partner to bid what he has.

The system is off unless the response does not show a suit. Then the same rules govern 4th seat. Example: (1 ♣ )-P-(1 ♦ )-1 ♥ shows ♠ or the minors. Generally Suction is on over any artificial bids.

Due to the tremendous power of interference, many practiced partnerships that play a forcing ♣ system have switched to a strong notrump system when facing unfavorable vulnerability, i.e., when vulnerable versus non- vulnerable. Be sure to check their agreements as to when they switch, if at all. Then, when facing FAVORABLE vulnerability, many of them use a weak NT system combined with gadgets, perhaps retaining the forcing ♣ for hands with 18 HCP or more, then using the 14 opener for a variety of hands. It is very important that you do not abuse the Suction bids unless you just prefer to play an undisciplined style. Therefore, when the opponents are Vul and you are Non-vul, you may choose to play a normal overcall style. It is very important to have partner know at least one of your suits early because the space for investigation (pass or correct) carries the risk of larger penalties which exceed the opponent’s probable result.

For example, RHO opens 1 ♣ and you hold ♠ x, ♥ QT9xx ♦ KJxxx, ♣ Kx. At favorable vulnerability or maybe at equal vulnerability you might bid 1NT, showing ♣ , OR ♦ AND ♥ . But at unfavorable any bid exceeding 1 ♥ is just rolling the dice.